FCI Standard 41

FCI-Standard N° 41 / 03. 10. 1980 (Dutch / Ned. standaard)

YUGOSLAVIAN SHEPHERD DOG - SHARPLANINA (Jugoslovenski Ovcarski Pas-Šarplaninac) Foto

ORIGIN : Serbia/Macedonia.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24.11.1970.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs.

Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type.

Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Yugoslavian Dog Sharplanina has been bred since time immemorial in the south eastern mountain regions of Yugoslavia. The breed was named after the Sharplanina Mountain range where it is the most common. Today Sharplaninas are being bred all over the country. The breed is registered with the F.C.I. since 1939 under n° 41 under the designation “Illirski Ovcar” (Yllyrian Shepherd Dog). In 1957 the General Assembly of the F.C.I. accepted a motion proposed by the Yugoslavian Federation of Cynology to change the name of the breed to “Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog Sharplanina”.

The origin of the breed remains controversial. It seems likely that it came to Europe from Asia in the course of the prehistoric mass migrations. The original type of the breed has been maintained solely in such parts of the country where intense cattle breeding is still prevailing and where this dog still can play its original role of a guardian and protector of the cattle herds against predatory animals.

GENERAL APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER:

a) The Sharplanina is a robust, well proportioned dog with plenty of bone, of a size that is well above the average and with a thick, long, rather coarse coat that emphasizes the short coupled appearance. Of sturdy constitution, even disposition, good temperament, reliable, protective but not snappy; incorruptible and devoted to its master.

b) Height: The average height at the withers is 62 cm for males and 58 cm for bitches. Males under 56 cm and bitches under 54 cm are not eligible for breeding.

Weight: Dogs from 35-45 kg; bitches from 30-40 kg.

c) Length of body: The length of the body is slightly longer than its height at the withers; the relation is about 8 : 10 for dogs, 10 : 12 for bitches.

HEAD

a) The head is proportioned to the body. Its total length measures approximately 25 cm which corresponds to about 40% of the height at the withers. The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle (the relation being 57 : 43%). The skull has a slightly convex topline; the nasal bone is straight. The lines of the two profiles are converging.

b) Skull (upper head): Is broad with a well marked groove. Seen in profile as well as from above, the skull should appear slightly convex and a little rounded. The eyebrows are only slightly marked. The occiput is invisible.

c) Stop: Slight.

d) Muzzle: Is shorter than the skull, broad and deep at the root, slightly tapering towards the nose. The nasal bone is straight and broad. The underjaw, as seen in profile, starts with a bend and then proceeds in a straight line diverging from the profile of the nasal bone.

e) Nose: Broad and black.

f) Lips: Moderately thick and tight; the upper lip is only slightly overhanging over the under lip. The corners of the lips are clean without even a hint of a flew.

g) Teeth: Scissor bite; full dentition.

h) Eyes: Almond shaped, neither large nor deep set, dark or light brown in colour, with a quiet but piercing gaze that should never show fear. The lids and the visible connective tissues should be black.

i) Ears: Are set on a line running from the tip of the nose through the inner corner of the eye or slightly underneath. They are V-shaped and dropping, hanging close to the cheeks, and covered with short, dense hair.

NECK: The crest is either slightly convex or straight. The throatline is straight. The neck is of medium length but because of the length and thickness of the coat it looks shorter than it really is. Broad, deep and muscled, it is merging smoothly into the head and the shoulders. To be carried slightly above the line of the back.

The skin is tight and without dewlaps. The coat is dense, long and coarse with a marked frill at the junction of head and neck (nape); this particularity is inbroadening the width and depth of this body part.

BODY:

a) General appearance: The topline is horizontal or slightly sloping towards the croup. Dogs bred in the mountains may be allowed a croup that is lying slightly higher than the withers but this is not a desirable feature. The total length of the body exceeds slightly the height at the withers.

b) Withers: Are moderately developed and broad. The connexion with the neck is powerful and the passage hardly noticeable.

c) Back: Is straight and broad, not too long. The loin is shorter, broad and muscular.

d) Croup: Of medium length, sloping and well muscled.

e) Chest: Is deep, the brisket reaching to the elbows, of medium length, with slightly sprung ribs. The forechest is broad and muscular. The girth of the ribcage should exceed the height at the withers by at least 20%.

f) Belly: Is tucked up and muscled. The lower profile is gently rising from the front to the rear. The flanks are rather short and with a pronounced groove.

TAIL: The tail is long and reaching at least the hock joint. The topline of the croup is sloping gradually and evenly into the tail. Strong at the root, tapering to the tip, with feathering along the lower side. Carried in a slight curve like a sabre; when the dog is excited, the curve is accentuated and the tail may be lifted above the line of the back.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS:

General appearance: The front legs are straight and well proportioned to the body. The elbows are at about 55% of the total height at the withers. The different parts of the forequarters are well proportioned to each other and to the body. The shoulders are fairly long and broad, flat, sloping and forming an angle of 65° with a horizontal line. The upper arm (humerus) is more obliquely set than the shoulder blade, the angle with the horizontal line being of 55°. It joins the forearm at an angle of 145°. The elbow joint is broad, neither out-nor inturned and placed only very slightly off from the ribcage. The forearm is straight, long, with plenty of bone and well developed muscles and feathering along the rear side. The pasterns are broad and strong, slightly slanting. The feet are firm, oval shaped with well arched and closed toes. Nails strong and black. Soles tough but elastic, black.

HINDQUARTERS: Viewed from behind the legs appear to stand evenly, slightly wider apart than the forelegs. Seen from the side, they also appear of even construction and fairly well angulated. The upper thigh is well muscled, rounded, obliquely placed, the angle with a horizontal line being similar to that of the shoulder. The stifle (joint between the upper and the lower thigh) is slightly less angulated than the scapula-humerus joint (about 125°). The stifle is strong and broad. The second thigh is also obliquely placed, strong, with long muscles and very bushy feathering. The hock is broad and displays a rather open angle (about 130°). The metatarsus should be less slanting than the pastern. Dewclaws are rare and should be removed.

GAIT: The stride is long and elastic. The most usual gait is the trot with a high and moderately outreaching action. At a gallop the dog appears to be somewhat clumsy but the jumps are long and covering plenty of ground.

SKIN: The skin is moderately thick, elastic and tight all over the body. No dewlaps. All the visible mucous membranes are black or deeply pigmented.

COAT

HAIR: The head, ears and front side of the legs are covered with short hair. Around the neck, on the rump, at the rear side of the legs and on the tail the hair is long, almost flat and somewhat coarse. Under the guard hair the abundant undercoat is short, dense and of fine texture. At the withers the hair should measure between 10 and 12 cm; it should not be shorter than 7 cm.

COLOUR: The Sharplanina is a solid coloured dog. All colours are acceptable from white to dark brown that looks almost black. The preferred shade is a greenish grey (iron grey) and dark grey. Spotting and white markings are not allowed. Pigmented dogs may show tiny white markings at the chest and toes but they are undesirable. The upper part of the head, the neck and the body is of a darker hue that fades out into a dirty white or a yellowish grey toward the extremities. The change must be very gradual and by no means give the impression of a spotted pattern of actually create a spotted coat.

WEIGHT: Males in good working conditions: between 35 and 45 kg, females between 30 and 40 kg.

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

MINOR FAULTS:

Insufficiently broad skull.
Muzzle too long.
Jaws too heavy.
Chest lacking in width and depth.
Flatsidedness or exaggeratedly sprung ribs.
Any slight deviation of the limbs from the correct position.
Coat slightly shorter than desired as long as the feathering is alright.
White markings on chest and feet.
Tail slightly too short.
Hare-feet and other minor physical blemishes.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

Muzzle too long or snipy.
Ears set too high or standing off (not hanging close enough to the cheeks).
Pincer (level) bite.
Swayback.
Tail carried with a side bend.
Lympathic constitution and other severe physical faults.

ELIMINATING FAULTS:

Aggressive or overly shy.
Missing premolars.
A striking disproportion between the length of the body and the height at the withers.
Insufficient height at the withers.
Hair shorter than 7 cm.
Extended white markings (spotting) and brindle pattern.
Unpigmented visible mucous membranes and eyes.
Any future betraying a degeneration, severely cowlegged or cowhocked, like over- or undershot mouths, bobtails (dogs born with only a stump or not tail at all), severe swayback, etc.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Jämthund was only recognised in 1946, although it is a very ancient type of dog that has been known since the North of Sweden was populated. The reason for the late recognition is that the smaller Norwegian Elkhound and the Jämthund were judged as the same breed. This situation eventually turned out to be impossible. The Jämthund is mainly used for hunting elk but it has also been used for bear and lynx, particularly in earlier times. Hence it has to be very strong and of great endurance.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Large, rectangular spitz, clean-cut, strong, substantial but also agile and with a good stature. Body must not give the impression of being long, nor be too heavy.

Muzzle : Muzzle, measured from stop to nose, slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Evenly tapering towards tip of nose. Muzzle must not be snipy, neither when viewed from above or from the side. Nasal bridge straight, broad and strong, nose wide.

Ear : High set, perfectly erect, pointed and sensitive in use, slightly longer than width at base. Inside of ears well covered with hair.

TAIL : Set high, of medium length and even thickness. Carried curled, but not tightly twisted over or close on the back. Dense coat, but without fringe.

Forefeet : Strong, somewhat oval, pointing straight forward with tightly knit toes.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Powerful, free, with good reach. On the trot « single tracking ».

HAIR : Topcoat rather close lying but not flat. Undercoat short, soft, light, preferably cream coloured. Coat smooth on head and front of legs, longer on neck, chest, tail and backside of legs and thighs.

COLOUR : Lighter and darker grey. Characteristic markings: light grey or cream coloured on sides of muzzle, cheeks, throat, chest, belly, legs and under the tail.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

· Unbroken, well defined white stripe on throat down to point of sternum, so called « tie ».

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Lightly built, finely boned aristocratic looking animal, high on legs compared with its length, always poised, alert and intelligent. Wrinkled head, with pricked ears, proudly carried on a well arched neck. Deep brisket runs up into a definite waist, tail tightly curled presenting a picture of a well balanced dog of gazelle-like grace.

IMPORTANT PROPORTION : Distance from top of head to stop slightly more than from stop to tip of nose.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Barkless but not mute, its own special noise a mixture of a chortle and a yodel. Remarkable for its cleanliness in every way. An intelligent, independent, but affectionate and alert breed. Can be aloof with strangers.

HEAD : Fine and profuse wrinkles appearing on forehead when ears pricked; side wrinkles desirable but not exaggerated into dewlap; wrinkles more noticeable in puppies, but because of lack of shadowing, not as noticeable in tricolours.

Skull : Flat, well-chiselled and medium width, tapering towards the nose. Side lines of skull taper gradually towards mouth, giving a clean-cheeked appearance.

Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square in the jaws.

Eyes : Dark, almond-shaped; obliquely set, far-seeing and rather inscrutable in expression.

Ears : Small, pointed, erect and slightly hooded, of fine texture, set well forward on top of head, tip of ear nearer centre of skull than outside base.

NECK : Strong and of good length, without thickness, well crested and slightly full at base of throat with a graceful curve accentuating crest. Well set into shoulders giving head a « lofty » carriage.

TAIL : High set, with posterior curve of buttock extending beyond root of tail giving a reachy appearance to hindquarters. Curls tightly over spine and lies closely to thigh with a single or double curl.

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs straight with fine bone. Legs in a straight line to ground giving a medium front.

Elbows : Tucked in against brisket. When viewed from front, elbows in line with ribs.

Feet : Small, narrow and compact, with deep pads, well arched toes and short nails.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Legs carried straight forward with a swift, long, tireless, swinging stride.

COLOUR : Pure black and white; red and white; black and tan, and white with melon pips and tan markings on muzzle and cheeks; black; tan and white; brindle: red background with black stripes, the more clearly defined the stripes the better. The white should be on the feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and white collar optional.

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

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

FCI-Standard N° 44 / 19. 12. 2001 (Dutch / Ned. standaard)

BEAUCE SHEEP DOG ("BEAUCERON", "RED-STOCKING") (Berger de Beauce) Foto

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : “Beauce Dog”, “Beauceron” and “Red-Stocking” were the names chosen at the end of the XIX century to designate these ancient French Sheepdogs of the plains, all of the same type, with smooth hair on the head, a harsh, short coat and ears normally cropped. The body had tan markings, notably at the extremities of the four legs, which led the breeders at that time to call these dogs “Red-Stockings”. The coat was commonly black and tan but there were also grey, entirely black and even wholly tan dogs. These dogs were bred and selected for their aptitude to conduct and guard flocks of sheep.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Beauce Sheepdog is big, solid, hardy, powerful, well built and muscular, but without lumber.

IMORTANT PROPORTIONS : The Beauce Sheepdog is medium in all its proportions. The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock should be slightly greater than the height at the withers.

The head is long : 2/5 the height at the withers. The height and width of the head are slightly less than half its total length. The skull and muzzle are of equal length.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Franc approach and self-assured. The expression is candid, never mean timid or worried. The character of the Beauceron should be gentle and fearless.

HEAD : The head is well chiselled with harmonious lines. Seen in profile, the top lines of skull and muzzle lie roughly in parallel planes.

Skull : Flat or slightly rounded from one side to the other. The median groove is only slightly marked, the occipital protuberance can be seen on the summit of the skull.

Stop : The stop is only slightly pronounced and is equidistant from the occiput and the end of the muzzle.

Nose : Proportionate to the muzzle, well developed, never split and always black.

Lips : Firm and always well pigmented. The upper lip should overlap the lower without any looseness. At their commissure, the lips should initiate a very slight pouch which should stay firm.

Eyes : Horizontal, slightly oval in shape. The iris should be dark brown, and in case never lighter than dark hazel even if the tan is light coloured. For the harlequin variety, wall eyes are admitted.

Ears : Set high. They are carried upright if cropped, neither convergent nor divergent, pointing slightly forward. The well carried ear is one whose middle falls on an imaginary line in prolongation of the sides of the neck. Uncropped ears are half-pricked or drop-ears. They should’nt be plastered against the cheeks. They are flat and rather short. The length of the uncropped ear should be half the length of the head.

Top line : The back is straight. The loin is short, broad and well muscled. The croup is only slightly inclined.

Chest : The girth of the chest is greater than the height at the withers by more than one fifth. The chest is well let down to the point of the elbow. It is wide deep and long.

TAIL : Whole, carried low, it reaches at least to the hock, without deviating, forming a slight hook in the form of a “J”. When in action, the tail can be carried higher, an extension of the top line.

Feet : Large, round, compact. The nails are always black. The pads are hard but nevertheless resilient.

Hock joint : Substantial, not too close to the ground, the point situated roughly at ¼ the height at the withers, forming a well open angle with the second thigh.

Metatarsals (Rear Pasterns) : Vertical, slightly further back than the point of the buttock.

Dewclaws : By tradition, shepherds are much attached to the conservation of double dewclaws. The dewclaws form well separated “thumbs” with nails, placed rather close to the foot.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Supple and free. The limbs move well in line. The Beauce Sheepdog should have an extended trot with long reaching movement.

HAIR : Smooth on the head, short, thick, firm and lying close to the body, 3 to 4 cm in length. The buttocks and the underside of the tail are lightly but obligatorily fringed. The undercoat is short, fine, dense and downy, preferably mouse grey, very close, and can’t be seen through the top coat.

a) Black and tan (Black with tan markings): “red stockings”. The black is pure black and the tan, red squirrel coloured. The tan markings are distributed as follows :

· On the sides of the muzzle, diminishing gradually on the cheeks, never attaining under the ear.

· On the legs, disappearing progressively while rising, without covering in any case more than 1/3 of the leg and rising slightly higher on the inside.

b) Harlequin (blue-mottled with tan markings): grey, black and tan, the coat being black and grey in equal parts, the spots well distributed, with sometimes a predominance of black. The tan markings are the same as for the black and tan.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

UTILIZATION : Originally used as a guard-, draught- and cattle dog on farms in the Canton Bern, today also family dog and versatile working dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type - Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and other breeds. Section 3 Swiss Cattle Dogs.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Bernese Mountain Dog is a farm dog of ancestral origin which was used as a guard and draught dog and for driving cattle in the prealpine regions and in the midland areas around Bern. Originally he was named “Dürrbächler” according to the name of the hamlet and of the inn of Dürrbach, near Riggisberg in the Canton Bern where these long-haired tricoloured farm dogs were especially numerous. In 1902, 1904 and 1907 specimen of this breed had already been exhibited at dog shows, and in 1907 some breeders of the region of Burgdorf decided to promote the pure breeding of these dogs by founding the “Schweizerischer Dürrbach-Klub”, and fixing the characteristic traits of the breed. In 1910, at a show in Burgdorf where many farmers of that region brought their Dürrbächler dogs to, already 107 specimen were shown. From that day onward this dog, renamed “Bernese Mountain Dog” following the example of the other breeds of Swiss Mountain Dogs, became rapidly appreciated all over Switzerland and in the neighbouring parts of Germany. Today the Bernese Mountain Dog is well known and appreciated all over the world as a family dog thanks to its striking tricoloured coat and its great adaptability.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Longhaired, tricoloured, strong and agile working dog, of above medium size, with sturdily built limbs; harmonious and well balanced.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Self-confident, attentive, vigilant, fearless in every day situations; good-natured and devoted to his own people, self-assured and placid towards strangers; of medium temperament, docile.

Skull : Viewed from the front and in profile little rounded. Frontal furrow hardly marked.

Jaws/Teeth : Strong, complete scissor bite (molars 3 (M3) are not taken into consideration). Pincer bite accepted.

Eyes : Dark brown, almond-shaped, with close fitting eyelids. Neither too deep-set nor prominent. Loose eyelids are faulty.

Ears : Medium-sized, set high, triangular in shape, slightly rounded at the tips, in repose hanging flat and close to the head. When alert, the rear part of the set-on is raised while the front edge of the ear remains close to the head.

Topline : From the neck running slightly downwards to the withers in a harmonious line, then running on straight and level.

Chest : Broad and deep, reaching to the elbows; forechest distinctly developed; ribcage of wide-oval section extending as well back as possible.

TAIL : Bushy, reaching at least to the hocks; hanging straight down when at rest; carried level with back or slightly above when moving.

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs seen from the front straight and parallel, standing rather wide apart.

Shoulders : Shoulder blade long, strong and well laid back, forming a not too obtuse angle with the upper arm, well attached to the chest, well muscled.

Pastern : Seen from the side almost upright, firm; seen from the front in straight line with the forearm.

Forefeet : Short, roundish; with well-knit, well-arched toes. Turned neither in nor out.

Metatarsus : Set almost vertically. Dewclaws to be removed (except in those countries where it is prohibited by law).

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Sound and balanced movement in all gaits covering a lot of ground; free stride reaching well out in front, with good drive from behind; at the trot, coming and going, legs moving forward in a straight line.

COLOUR : Jet black main colour with rich tan markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, on all four legs and on the chest, and with white markings as follows:

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

- Blaze too large and/or muzzle band reaching noticeably beyond the corners of the mouth.

- White markings on forelegs reaching distinctly beyond half-way of pasterns (“boots”).

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.