BREED STANDARDS

(From the United Kennel Club)

HEAD: Massive squareshaped head like a cube

BODY AND COAT: Moderately large body with a rough-textured flat coat. Males are slightly longer than their height with a broad deep chest; females have less rib spring

HEIGHT: 21 to 25 inches

EARS: Set above the eye line and may be cropped, naturally folded pendant, or rose (meaning small drop ears which fold backwards)

TAIL: Very thick at the base and tapers to a point

TEETH: Complete set of evenly-spaced teeth set in a wide jaw. A scissors or reverse scissors bite is preferred. A level or slightly undershot bite is acceptable.

NOSE: Wide and black. In profile, the nose fits cleanly into the square formed by the nasal bone and front plane of the muzzle. Eyes: Eyes are slightly oval, set level and wide apart, and range in color from medium to dark brown. Eyelids are close-fitting and black.

EARS: Ears are of medium size, set above the line of the eye and wide apart, and covered with short, fine hair. Ears may be natural or cropped. The natural ears may be pendent or rose. Cropped ears are erect.

NECK: The neck is cylindrical, thick, wellmuscled and slightly shorter than the length of the head.

BODY: A properly proportioned Presa is about 20 percent longer than tall and the length of the front leg should approximately equal onehalf of the dog’s height. Females may be slightly longer in body.

FEET: Feet are round, compact, cat-like. Rear feet are slightly longer than the front. Pads are welldeveloped, tight, black, not splayed. TAIL: Thick and muscular at the base and tapers to a point.

COAT: The Presa has a short, flat single coat that is harsh in texture.

COLOR: Any shade of fawn, black, and brindle in any combination of these colors. The face must have a black or dark brown mask that does not extend over the eyes, with or without a white blaze or patch on the head.

SIZE: Desirable height at withers for a mature male is 23 to 26 inches. Desirable height at withers for a mature female is 22 to 25 inches. Minimum weight for mature male is 100 pounds and for a mature female is 85 pounds.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 13 years

*Dedicated to the late, beautiful, and brilliant Editor-in-chief, Charlene Bobis.