Spanish Mastiff

FCI 91 - Molossoid . Mountain

Content

The Spanish Mastiff (also called Leonese Mastiff) is a breed of dog trotting type of large size, originally from Spain where it was abundant in almost the entire country and today is in a particular way in León, Zamora, Asturias and Cantabria. One of its varieties is the Pyrenean Mastiff.

This is a very old dog and like the other broadcast, descends from the molosser of Tibet (Tibetan Mastiff) He came to Europe via Asia minor.

Theories about the breed maintain that at least four thousand years ago the shepherds who inhabited the peninsula already used them as livestock guard dogs..

The natural resources and climate of the Iberian Peninsula gave rise to transhumance, for which reason, for many centuries the Spanish Mastiff has played the role of protector of flocks, especially from herds of 'merino sheep' whose history is closely linked to that of this dog breed. In some places it is known as the 'merinero dog' because it accompanies the Merino sheep..

The Spanish Mastiff, He is regarded as the oldest Spanish race.

The transhumant wandered through the royal canyons of León, crossing the Iberian Peninsula from North to South., and the Spanish Mastiff went with them defending the cattle from the attack of the wolf, the dog in addition to with its imposing nature, He had the protection of his abundant jowls as well as carlancas or carranclas, they are a species of thick metal with spiky necklaces.

At the end of the 19th century with the gradual disappearance of the grazing and transhumance, the Spanish Mastiff became 'unnecessary', if we add to that the Spanish Civil War and its consequent period of scarcity and -also- the sharp decline in the number of wolves, as a result we have that this breed of dog was on the verge of extinction.

During that time many specimens of Spanish Mastiff were sacrificed, Some were emasculated and other so many purchased by enthusiasts that breeders, guided more by love of the race than by knowledge, start you a totally disorganized parenting.

After the debacle, fortunately, the recovery of the breed has been achieved though with great difficulty.

The first standard of the Spanish Mastiff was approved by the International Cinological Federation in the year 1946, based on the characteristics of three specimens from central Spain, These specimens were a light type, that still remained in the cattle farms and that were also used for hunting big game, they were of good size, with long legs and her weight was around the 50 kg.

In 1981 a new standard was approved whose main objective was to recover the much larger Mastiff that was used in transhumance livestock.

That same year (1981) was founded the Spanish Association of the Spanish Mastiff Dog (AEPME) as official club of the breed.

It is a dog of large size, braquicéfalo and mesomorfo. Well proportioned, very powerful and muscular. Big and heavy, with skeleton compact.

There are no exact size limits., but they must be harmonious, in the males expected a height that not is lower to 77 cm. the cross and in the females, not less to 72 cm.. Those are the bare minimum., but always expected greater height.

The head is significantly large, has a cráneo-hocico relationship of 6:4. If we look at the skull from the top is a square and uniform.

It has eyes small, almond-shaped and hazelnut or chestnut colour.

It has the ears triangular, median, flat and pendants. The legs are long, straight and fitted with good musculature.

The tail, inserted at medium altitude is very thick, flexible and wears it down, arriving at the height of the Hock.

Its the mantle This thick a thick hair hard, semilargo and smooth. The colors the most prized hair are uniforms (or solids), they may be dirty white, leonado, reddish, black, gray wolf, brown. Are also supported in the standard the atigrados, or white spotted robes.

Observations

As it's a race in recovery process, is very difficult to find perfect copies (that is to say, adjusted completely to the standard).

It is not a dog suitable for beginners, but it could be a very rewarding challenge for some enthusiast with the desire to breed a dog with a long history and gigantic potential like the Spanish Mastiff..

The Spanish Mastiff is a rustic dog, loving, tame, noble, very firm and self-confident.

It is generally quiet and affectionate, He is very loyal and devoted to their masters. It is-especially- suitable for children, for those who feel special attraction. As well, usually get along well with other dogs.

Essentially, is a calm and balanced guardian, but it can be very scary if they perceived danger to its owner and properties.

These dogs are very happy living in the open air, and especially given the opportunity for long and quiet walks, that will be necessary if we want our Mastiff to be happy and balanced.

Observations

As we mentioned in the “History” section, the vicissitudes of the recovery of the race has led to chaos at the beginning of it..., and all that lack of control in the breeding, It has had a direct effect on the character of dog, it is for this reason that today we can find too aggressive specimens, and other, maybe more shy.

Fortunately, the great work which is carrying out the Spanish Association of the Spanish Mastiff Dog, focused on selection in breeding is very hopeful since good results are being obtained, and over time the problem will be eliminated.

• FCI CLASSIFICATION: 91
• Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
• Section 2.2: Molossoid, mountain type. Without working trial. .

Federations:

• – FCI – Pinscher and Schnauzer-Molossoid type dogs – Swiss Mountain Dogs and Cattledogs. Section 2.2 Molossoid, mountain type. ⓘ
• – AKC – FSS ⓘ
• – UKC – Watchdog ⓘ

Spain

26.05.1982

Use:

Nursery and defense. This breed is closely linked to transhumance and especially to merino cattle., whom he accompanied already in times of the Mesta, defending you from the wolf and other predators throughout all your movements and places, grass shelves in different seasons and location zones. Currently accompanies numerous herds, both shelves and transhumants, performing its ancestral function. It also performs the function of guard and defense of farms, people and properties in general.

General appearance:

It is a dog of large size, hypermetric and of medium proportions. Sublongilinear structure. Well proportioned, very powerful and muscular. compact skeleton. Large head and body with semi-long hair. Proportionality and functional harmony must be sought, both static and moving. His bark is hoarse, serious and deep, of great intensity, perceiving yourself at a considerable distance.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Body length greater than the height at the withers. The ratio of the length of the skull to that of the muzzle should be 3/2

It is a very intelligent dog, not devoid of beauty; his expression shows both qualities.

Rustic, loving, meek and noble, turns out to be a very firm dog against vermin and strangers, especially when he is defending farms or cattle. In its behavior you can see that it is a self-confident dog., metering of his forces for being aware of his enormous power.

Head:

As a whole: Grand, strong and broad-stem pyramidal. The skull-muzzle set, seen from above, must be square and uniform, and without a very marked diminution between the base of the snout and the temples. Moderately divergent craniofacial lines.

• Skull : Width, strong, sub-convex profile. The width of the skull must be equal to or greater than its length. Accentuated frontal sinuses. Marked occipital Crest.
• Depression links (Stop): Soft, little sharp.

facial region:

• Truffle: black, wet, big and wide.
• Snout: Straight profile. Seen from above it appears moderately rectangular, gradually decreasing towards the truffle, maintaining a conspicuous width. In no case pointed.
• Lips: The upper one should widely cover the lower one ; the lower one with detached mucosa forms a very loose lip corner. The mucous membranes must be black.
• Jaws / Teeth: Scissor bite. White teeth, strong and healthy. Big fangs, sharp and forming good prey. Strong and powerful molars. Rather small incisors. All premolars exist. Black palate, with very marked ridges.
• Eyes: Small in relation to the skull, preferably dark, Hazelnut coloured, watchful eye, noble, sweet and smart, of great severity before a stranger. Thick-skinned eyelids, Pigmented in black. The lower eyelid reveals part of the conjunctiva.
• Ears: Mediums and falls, form triangular, plan, inserted above the eye line. At rest they droop and stick to the cheeks, without being too attached to the skull. At attention separated from the face and partially erect in its superior-posterior third. They should not be amputated.

Neck:

Truncated cone, width, strong, muscled, flexible. Thick and detached skin. Widely developed double chin.

Body:

• As a whole: Rectangular. Strong and robust, denoting great power, but flexible and agile.
• top line: Straight, horizontal, even on the move. Cross: Well marked.
• Back: Powerful, musculada.
• Pork loin: Long, wide and powerful, narrows as it reaches the ijar.
• Rump: Wide and strong. Its inclination is about 45° in relation to the horizontal.. Elevation to the rump equal to the elevation to the cross.
• Breast : Width, deep, muscular and powerful. The tip of the sternum marked. Ribs with wide intercostal spaces and rounded, not flat. The ratio of height at the withers/minimum thoracic perimeter should be approximately 1/3.
• Belly and flanks: Very moderately tucked up belly; the flanks lowered and the flanks very wide.

Tail:

• As a whole: Rectangular. Strong and robust, denoting great power, but flexible and agile.
• top line: Straight, horizontal, even on the move. Cross: Well marked.
• Back: Powerful, musculada.
• Pork loin: Long, wide and powerful, narrows as it reaches the ijar.
• Rump: Wide and strong. Its inclination is about 45° in relation to the horizontal.. Elevation to the rump equal to the elevation to the cross.
• Breast : Width, deep, muscular and powerful. The tip of the sternum marked. Ribs with wide intercostal spaces and rounded, not flat. The ratio of height at the withers/minimum thoracic perimeter should be approximately 1/3.
• Belly and flanks: Very moderately tucked up belly; the flanks lowered and the flanks very wide.

Tips

PREVIOUS MEMBERS:

• As a whole: Perfectly Plumb, straight and parallel viewed from the front. The length of the forearm should be three times that of the metacarpus. Strong bones with powerful pasterns.
• Back: Oblique, very muscular. Longer than the forearm. Scapulo-humeral angle close to 100°.
• Arm: Strong, similar in length to the scapula.
• Elbow: Well attached to the chest. Humero-radial angle close to 125°.
• Forearm: Strong, perpendicular bone.
• Metacarpus: Seen from the side with little inclination. It is practically in continuation of the forearm; bone fort.
• Previous feet: Of cat. Tight toes. Strong phalanges, high and well arched. Robust and hard nails and pads. Moderate interdigital membrane with hair.

LATER MEMBERS:

• As a whole: Powerful, muscular. Seen from the side suitable angulations in the form of wide articular angles. Correct poise, seen from behind and in profile. Hocks without deviations. They must be able to easily propel the dog, strength and elegance.
• Thigh: Strong and muscular. Coxo-femoral angle close to 100°.
• Knee: Femoro-tibial angle close to 120° Leg: Long, muscular and strong bone. Hock: Open angle, close to 130°.
• Metatarsus: Well marked, with clear appreciation of the tendon. Presence or not of spurs that can be single or double, admitting your amputation.
• Hind feet: Of cat. Slightly oval.

Movement:

The preferred way is the trot, it must be harmonious, powerful with no tendency to laterality. Without ambience.

Mantle

• SKIN: Elastic, thick, abundant and pinkish, with darker pigmentations. All mucous membranes must be black.
• Fur: Bushy, thick, semilargo, smooth, scattered throughout the body to interdigital spaces.

Two types of hair are distinguished, one of coverage on the back and another of protection on the ribs and flanks. Shorter on the limbs and longer and silkier on the tail.

• Color: Indeterminate, uniform colors are most appreciated, yellow, leonados, red, blacks, cubs and fawns. Combined colors are also appreciated, p. e.g.. atigrados, peaks and ties.

Size and weight:

There are no maximum size limits, being appreciated within harmonious proportions, the largest specimens.

Height to the cross: Minimum limits:

• Male 77cm
• females 72 cm..

These lifts of wishes are largely overcome, being convenient to pass the males 80 cm and females 75 cm..

Fouls:

• Males should have two normal-appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum..
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with the typical conformation of the breed, should be used for parenting.

Any deviation from the aforementioned criteria is considered as a fault and the severity of this is considered to the degree of the deviation to the standard and its consequences on the health and well-being of the dog..

MINOR FAULTS

• Carried muzzle profiles, without excess.
• Bite in clamp; absence of any premolar.
• Weak dorso-lumbar line, distorted and undulating during the march.
• Metacarpus, metatarsals and weak feet, not in excess.
• Shyness, not overly accented.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

• Exaggerated fragile or lymphatic appearance.
• Pointed snout.
• Moderate upper prognathism.
• Absence of several premolars or canines if not due to trauma.
• Excessive entropy or ectropion.
• Ear amputation.
• Tail resting on the rump.
• Saddled dorso-lumbar line.
• Height at the rump significantly higher than the height at the withers.
• Tail docking.
• Wrong limbs: weak or deviant.
• Cow hocks, during the march or in station.
• Lateral braceos during operation.
• Wavy hair, curly or excessively long.
• Unbalanced character, excessive shyness, cowardice or exaggerated aggressiveness.

FALTAS DESCALIFICANTES:

• Aggressiveness or extreme shyness.
• Any dog ​​showing clear signs of physical or behavioral abnormalities must be disqualified..
• Aggressive or fearful dog.
• Light eyes accompanied by truffle or depigmented mucosa.
• Split nose.
• Any degree of lower prognathism; excessive upper prognathism.
• light eyes.

• Males should have two normal-appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum..
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with the typical conformation of the breed, should be used for parenting.

Source: F.C.I - International Cynological Federation

1. Spanish mastiff, Mastín español de campo y trabajo, Mastín ganadero, Mastín Leonés, Mastín Extremeño (English).
2. Mastin Leones (French).
3. Spanischer Mastiff, Mastín aus León (mastín leonés), Mastín der Extremadura (mastín extremeño), Mastín der Mancha (mastín manchego) (German).
4. Mastín español (Portuguese).
5. Mastín Leonés, mastín español de campo y trabajo, mastín ganadero (español).