The body is 10% longer than the height of the dog at the withers.

 

TOP LINE

The top line of the back is straight. The withers are wide, long, and barely rise above the top line.

 
Top line of the back is straight; withers are wide, long and not very prominent.

 

BACK

The back is wide, and its length is about 1/3 the height at the withers. The lumbar region must be harmoniously joined to the back, and the musculature must be very developed in width. The thorax is ample, with ribs that are long and well sprung. The circumference of the thorax is about ¼ larger than the height at the withers.

 

BACK:

Broad and of a length about 1/3 of the height at the withers. The lumbar region must be harmoniously united with the back and muscles and well developed, in width. Extremely important part. The ribcage ample, with long and well sprung ribs. The circumference of the thorax is about ¼ more than the height at the withers.

 

CROUP

The croup is wide, strong, and well muscled. From the hip bone, it is slanted about 30 degrees from the horizontal. Its length is equal to 3/10 the height at the withers. The haunches protrude at the point of attachment to the upper lumbar area.

 


Rump:

Wide, strong and well muscled. Its obliqueness compared with the measured horizontal on that of the hip bone (coxal) is about 30°. Its length is equal to 3/10 of the height at the withers. The hip bones are prominent to the extent of reaching the top lumbar line.

 

CHEST

It is wide and open, with well developed pectoral muscles. Its width is in direct proportion to that of the thorax, and attains 40-45% of the height at the withers. The manubrium of the sternum (breast bone) is situated at the level of the point of articulation of the scapulo-humeral joint (shoulder).

 
Standard, very precisely explains every part, how important it is, and how much care should be taken to adhere to it. Broad and wide with well developed chest muscles. Its width is in direct relation with that of the ribcage and reaches 40-45% of the height at the withers. The tip of the sternum is situated at the level of the scapular-humeral joint.

 

TAIL

It is wide and thick at the root. Strongly built, it narrows gradually toward the tip. In length, it reaches the hock, but it is normally cut to 2/3 its length. At rest, it is carried hanging like a scimitar; when in action, it is raised to the horizontal or a little higher than the back.

 
Broad, and thick at its root; strong, tapering slightly towards the tip. In length it reaches the articulation of the hock, but usually is docked at about 2/3 of its length. At rest is carried hanging and curved in sabre fashion. On each section, the standard is very clear and there should be no dilemmas about the present situation we see on shows or on the internet. Standard never mention, the Mastino should put tail under the ass, or`` hanging limply as if dead `` as we see on many show winners today. As every part of the body is important for all of the Mastino's healthy activities , the tail is a vital indicator, to show a visual indicator of the dogs mental state `` internally ``. For example, when observing puppies, as young as possible, 3-4 weeks, and let them to do pleasant activates, tails show us many things . If they try to climb a ``hill`` or make some effort and tail is all the time up, it shows many good and necessary things.

If the puppy goes up, using every leg separately (specially hind legs), not intended for using both together, as is on gallop, and the tail doesn't go down, you can be sure this puppies is free of any dysplasia or motorize damage. Tails show us a lot (read all) about puppies character, specially on ``softy`` situation.


The standard  goes on, and says: ``in action lifted horizontally or slightly higher than the top line``.

So, action is joy on snow, or summer in water, no matter, as young or older. But action is more serious things as defending or attack, hunting, protecting property or hard job of exercises.


Tail is slightly higher, in the more dominant ``gladiator`` dog. So, when ever notice any damage on tail (first sign of genetic deformity , and the reason why so many Mastino have tails that are too short), such a Neo should not be used in any breeding program, as it shows NOT only tail problem, but more about spine, nerves... internal things...
Good judges, for sure, will go with fingers through this area, to be sure there are not some underlying problems.