Original Standard

The original standard (FCI Nº292, July 31, 1973) was written by Agustin Nores Martinez based on the first standard written by Antonio Nores Martinez in 1928.

Skull: Massive, longitudinally and transversally convex, dues to relief of chewing and neck muscles.

Muzzle: Of the same length as skull.
The line joining the orbitary apophyses should be equidistant from occiput and upper maxillary aveoli.

Eyes: Dark in color, well separated, rimmed by black or pink eyelids. The look must be alive, intelligent and hard.

Maxillary: Well adapted, strong, without prognathism. Large, well implanted teeth.

Nose: Strongly pigmented in black, with slight stop at the end. Ample nostrils.

Ears: Well on top of the head; erect or semi-erect of triangular shape. Must always be cropped.

Lips: Fitting closely, short, with free borders pigmented in black.
(Short lips are a must, to allow dog to breath through corners of mouth when holding a prey.)

Occiput: Should not be outstanding, masked by powerful neck muscles. Head/neck insertion must be arched.

Neck: Thick, arched and lithe, with heavy abundant skin which wrinkles as on the old mastiffs.
(Sufficient elasticity on neck skin is required to allow for displacement when held by prey and to protect its body flesh from injury when bitten or clawed.)

Chest: Ample, deep, giving the impression of big lungs. In front, sternum must reach under elbows.

Upper back or Withers: High. Very strong with great muscular relief.

Thorax: Ample, on side view it should reach under the elbows.

Spine (backline): Higher on the upper back (withers) and smoothly sloping to the hind.
(On adult animals having well developed back muscles and kidneys, the spine arches down slightly between upper back and hind.(dip) A longitudinal "channel" that follows the spine is created by the relief of spinal muscles.)

Forelegs: Straight, thick, vertical; with short, tight, close-together toes.

Kidney: Concealed by dorsal muscles

Rear Legs: Muscular thighs, short pasterns with short, tight closed together toes, with no dewclaws.

Tail: Long and thick, should not extend past the hock and be naturally carried down. In combat (it) is always up, in continous lateral movement, as when dog greets master. It should never curl over.

Weight: 40 to 45 Kg (88 to 100 lb.)

Height: 60 to 65 cms. (23.4 to 25.3 inches)

Coat: Completely white. Any marking or spot of any color must be disqualified as an atavism.
(White dogs showing strong pigmentation of black on the skin should be considered inept for breeding, as this physical trait may appear and become predominant in offspring.)

Disqualifications: Blue eyes; deafness; spots or markings on coat; long hair; pink or predominantly pink nose; prognatism (overshot or undershot), pendulous lip, "hound" head, more than one spot on the face, any corporal disproportion.