Neo Standard Changed for the better

At least they are moving in the right direction. Different is one thing exaggerations that hinder the dogs function is something else.

[quote="gsicard"]The Kennel Club has taken a positive step in improving the health, longevitiy and function of the Neo. See the changes to their breed standard below. Any [u]underlined [/u]text indicates a change or addition. [Square bracketed] text indicates a deletion. Neapolitan Mastiff Characteristics [u]Some [/u]loose fitting skin over body and head [u]permitted[/u], not to be excessive. [Delete ‘with a double dewlap’]. [size=9]If Judges constantly see double dewlap and thats what the breed club instructs in their material will this removal actually make a difference?[/size] Head and Skull Head [u]fairly[/u] large with broad short skull, broad across cheeks. Head proportion: skull length two thirds, to muzzle one third. Skull flat and parallel to topline of muzzle. [Delete ‘Well pronounced’] Definite stop, nose should not protrude beyond vertical line of muzzle. Nose large with well open nostrils. Lips fleshy and thick. The upper lips form an inverted ‘v’ when viewed from the front. Muzzle deep and square when viewed from the front. [Delete ‘with deep flews’] Loose skin on head [u]permitted[/u], [delete ‘forming wrinkles and folds’] but without excess. Eyes Clean eyes, set forward, well apart, rather rounded. Rims [delete ‘fairly’] tight without [delete ‘excessive’] haw. Rim pigmentation to tone with nose colour. Free from obvious eye problems. Neck [u]Fairly[/u] short, stocky, very muscular. [Delete ‘dewlap from lower jaw reaching mid-point of neck’]So if a dog has dewlap reaching further than mid point of neck this will be ok? Body Longer than height at withers. Broad, well muscled chest, ribcage reaching at least to elbow. Ribs long and well sprung. Topline straight, [u]sloping[/u] slightly [u]from the[/u] withers, line of belly parallel to topline. Hindquarters Broad loin, well let into backline, slightly rounded with well developed muscle. Croup broad, muscular, with slight slope. Thighs long, broad, moderate stifle, powerful hocks. [Delete ‘Dewclaws (single or double) removed’]. [No change to General Appearance, Temperament, Ears, Mouth Forequarters, Feet, Tail, Gait/Movement, Coat, Colour, Size, Faults and Note]. The new standard is here http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/56 I think these very subtle changes will have far reaching impacts on the health and function of the Neo. What do you think?[/quote] I can see the eyes and talk of less skin on top of the head can be of benefit especially regards entropian but as for the rest it can be interpreted either way.

[quote=wookiebush]as if any of the neo standards were ever followed :lol:[/quote] :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Here it seems the judges flick through the list of participants of a show reconize a name and name that the winner. Lot less hassle than learning a new set of rules or learning the first set in the first place. Most leave it to the judges what visit from overseas who get invited by a certain breeder or breeders. :lol: I see some improvement but dont think it will change the breeding of NM overnight. Plus the double dewlap it will be hard to dismiss a dog with that if everything else is within standard.

The Italian standard although still open to interpretation is very detailed whereas the Uk KC only allows the standard to be if i recall correctly 1 A4 page worth. Therefore much information is disregarded in the breed standard. Most other EU states that I am aware of all use the FCI std.