Working Dogs: Bullmastiff

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A mixture of 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog, the Bullmastiff was bred in England about 1860 to guard large estates and game preserves free from poachers. Fearless and obedient, they kept company gamekeepers on their late-night rounds. Since they were less visible, the darker brindles were favored to the more common fawn colors. Here is a powerful-looking, short-backed, compact dog having a large, broad head, dark eyes, and a fair quantity of wrinkle on the black-masked face. Ears are V-shaped and carried near the cheeks. The tail, powerful at the root and tapering to the end, might be short or curved. The coat is short and compact, affording good weather protection.

WEIGHT: males 110-130 pounds; females 100-120 pounds

HEIGHT: males 25-27 inches; females 24-26 inches

COLOR: red, fawn, or brindle.

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Bernese Mountain Dog

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The ancestors of this breed were brought in to Switzerland more than 2,000 years ago by invading Roman soldiers. The dogs acted as watchdogs on farms in the canton of Berne who worked as drovers, drawing wagons for basket weavers. A good-looking, strong-boned dog, the Bernese has a long, silky jet-black coat having rust markings on the cheeks and spots over each eye, on all four legs, on each side of the chest, and under the tail. A white blaze graces the muzzle and forehead, white chest markings form an inverted cross, and there is white on the tip of the tail and the feet.

WEIGHT. 80-110 pounds

HEIGHT: males 24 1/2-27 1/2 inches; females 22 1/2-25 1/2 inches

COLOR: black with rich rust and clear white markings. 

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Working Dogs: Newfoundland

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Some authorities lay claim he is descended from Great Pyrenees dogs brought by Basque fishermen to the coast of Newfoundland; others consider his ancestors are French Boarhounds. An exceptionally powerful swimmer, it has saved many shipwrecked individuals from drowning. Strength is his trademark, together with a funny rolling gait. The body is strongly built and well-boned, the forelegs straight, the hind legs brawny and well-muscled. The head is massive having a broad skull, the muzzle broad and deep, eyes dark and deep-set, and small ears set well back and lying near the head. The tail drops straight or with a slight curve, while the coat is quite heavy and weather-resistant.

WEIGHT: 100-150 pounds

HEIGHT: 26-28 inches

COLOR: black, brown, grey, or white and black (Landseer). 

By Tip Writer