INTRODUCTION
The Mastiff Standard was compiled in 1883. It was slightly revised in 1890 and confirmed in 1949 and then again revised in the latest edition published by F.C.I. on 15/11/1985 no. 264/b. The following text is taken from the book "The Complete Mastiff" written by Mrs. Betty Baxter and Mr. David Blaxter, both internationally famous judges and breeders. The authors open chapter 7 " The Breed Standard" with a brief preface which gives a summary of what has been said in the part dedicated to the history. The authors maintain the concept that, in their own words, 'After all, it is no use having a wonderful looking dog who is a cripple, but conversely it is no use having a dog that can move like a dream who looks like a Great Dane and has no breed type'.

COMPILATION OF THE BREED STANDARD
In this paragraph the authors express their opinions on the difficulty in judging this breed in Europe, and on what occasions the standard has been established. Here quoted literally the passage, which relates to its birth: "The English Mastiff Breed Standard was drawn up in the very early days of the Old English Mastiff Club, in the 19th Century, and has remained virtually unaltered ever since. This particular Standard is one of the very few that makes no mention of height or weight".

THE STANDARD OF THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN MASTIFF
This is the literal transcription of the British and American Standard. It is interesting to note how some aspects of the two standards differ.

Cesare Gilardi

The BRITISH Standard		The American Standard
	Interpretation of the Standard