Interim Breed Standard

with Effect from 1st June 2006

General Appearance.   Medium size dog of Spitz type,    with a wide variation of colours.  Balanced,    well constructed,   slightly longer then high.

 

Characteristics.   Devoted Family Companion.

 

Temperament.   Self assured,  calm,  and of even Temperament,  Bonds Strongly with its family, Reserved with stranger without any signs of aggression.

 

Head and Skull.   Wedge shaped viewed from above and in profile.  Flat Skull of Moderate width. Distinct frontal furrow and well defined occiput,   barely defined stop. Parallel planes to foreface and skull which are approximately equal in length, Cheeks barely pronounced,   Tapering muzzle neither to course nor too pointed, Black medium sized nose.

 

Eyes.   Dark,   Oval, slightly slanted and of medium size, neither deep set nor protruding, Close fitting, black pigmented rims.

 

Ears.   Medium size, triangular with slightly rounded tips, Carried pricked, Set apart about the width of the base of an ear.  Tips of ears and stop form an equilateral triangle.

 

Mouth.   Lips close fitting with black pigmentation, Strong broad lower jaw, Perfect regular and complete scissor or level bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping or meeting the lower teeth and Set Square to the jaw.

 

Neck.   Well set on, well muscled and of medium length, without any throatiness.

 

Forequarters.   Well muscled, Medium boned, Legs straight and parallel when viewed from the front, Shoulders slightly sloping,   moderate angulations.  Upper arm of approximately equal length to forearm.  Elbows held close to the chest, Pasterns strong and slightly sloping.

 

Body.   Length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttock greater than height at the well defined withers,   Back  firm and straight with good length and width of loin,   Croup broad, level and strong, Oval shaped ribcage, reaching to elbows.  Forechest well developed without exaggeration.  Sternum extending well back, Slight tuck up.

 

Hindquarters.  Legs straight and parallel when see from behind,  Strongly muscled upper and lower thighs of almost equal length,  Moderate turn of stifle,  Sound,  Strong hocks turning neither in nor out,  Rear Pasterns of good length, vertical when viewed from the side.

 

Feet.   Oval, Tight with moderately arched toes, Firm, well cushioned, black pigmented pads, with thick hair, between.  Strong dark pigmented nails.

 

Tail.   High Set, Round and firm, of good thickness, tapering towards the tip. Carried forward, curved, or curled over the back or to one side. When at rest and if hanging down, should reach the hocks.

 

Gait/Movement.   Moves with Strides of Moderate length, Straight coming and going.

 

Coat.   Harsh topcoat of Medium length, loosely lying, with a thick undercoat,

Fur shorter on muzzle, face, ears, and front legs, The tail and backs of legs well feathered with long hair, Coat on neck slightly longer than on body without forming a mane, Tight well pigmented skin.

 

Colour.   All colours and colour combinations are permitted, with the exception of white patches on body, pure whites, or liver.

 

Size.   Height at withers,  Dogs, 52-60cms (20 ½  -23 ½  ins)   bitches, 48-56cms (19-22 ins), Weight dogs, 23-32kg (51-70 ½ lb) bitches, 18-26kg (40-57lb ), Ideal height and weight, dogs 56cm (22ins) 26kg (57lb) bitches 52cm (20 ½ ins) 22kg (48 ½ lb)

 

Faults.   Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with the fault should be regarded should be in the exact proportion to its degree and effect upon the health and welfare of the dog,

 

Note.   Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.