New Stories

Size Matters: Just How Big is Big?

Just like sizing in clothing brands, the fit varies from breed to breed.

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Sun, 03/01/2026 - 3:14pm

Working It: Or: There’s more to it than heart and bunchy muscles

Contemplating working dogs with a small "w."

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Sun, 02/01/2026 - 3:37pm

Crescent Rowena, born in 1923, had a grandmother who was a Bullmastiff.

Hidden Deep: The Bullmastiff Contribution to the Mastiff

A forgotten letter revives a rarely mentioned ancestor.

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Mon, 01/19/2026 - 2:36pm

Please Put Away That Silly Centurion Costume …

… while I indulge in some Cane Corso sacrilege.

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Thu, 01/15/2026 - 10:32am

How About a Side of Bullmastiff with Your Clumber?

Exploring the Molosser influence in gun-dog breeds, from setters to spaniels.

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Fri, 01/02/2026 - 11:19pm

When seen from the side, a Bullmastiff should give the idea of squareness, like this 2017 Crufts winner, photographed by Karl Donvil.

It’s Hip to Be Square (If You’re a Bullmastiff, That Is)

How important is shape? To a dog breed, I mean. (It’s also relevant when you’re surveying yourself in the mirror in jeans that stubbornly won’t zip, but that’s another discussion entirely.)

The importance of silhouette in a breed is a question I’ve long struggled with, especially when it comes to “head breeds,” which most — no, wait, ALL — Molossers are.

The Long and Short of It

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Sat, 12/06/2025 - 2:02pm

Cropped and docked Boxers — and 10 other breeds, including Neapolitan Mastiffs and Cane Corsos — can again be shown in countries where the procedures are still legal — for now, at least.