FCI Standard 91

FCI-Standard N° 91 / 30. 08. 2002 (Dutch / Ned. standaard)

SPANISH MASTIFF (Mastín español) Foto

TRANSLATION : Mrs. Peggy Davis.

ORIGIN : Spain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 26.05.1982.

UTILIZATION : Guard and defense. The breed is closely related to the seasonal moving in the livestock, and especially the Merino livestock which he already accompanied at the time of the “Mesta” (association, in the Middle-age, of breeders of the wandering herds) by defending them from wolves and other predators, all along their journey from one location to other and on the grazing pastures, in all seasons and sites. Actually he accompanies numerous herds, whether sedentary or wandering by fulfilling his ancestral task. He performs in the same way the function of guard and protection of farms, people and properties in general.

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

Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type.

Without working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : It is a dog of great size, hypermetic, of medium proportions and of sub-long line structure. Well balanced, very powerful and muscular. Compact bone structure. Massive head and a body covered with a semi-long coat. Most important are balance and functional harmony in the dog standing as well on the move. His bark is raucous, low pitched and deep, very sonorous, audible from a considerable distance.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :

The length of the body exceeds the height at the withers. The relation between the length of the skull and that of the muzzle must be 3 / 2.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : It is a very intelligent dog, not without beauty, whose expression manifests both these qualities. Rustic, affectionate, kind and noble, he is very determined when facing dangerous animals and in front of strangers, especially when he has the opportunity to defend and protect farms or cattle. In his behaviour, one can see it is a dog sure of himself, determining his strength because he is aware of his enormous power.

HEAD : Big, strong and shaped like a truncated pyramid with broad basis. The whole of the skull and muzzle, seen from above, must be square and well linked, without a very marked diminution of width between the base of the muzzle and the temporal bones. The facio-cranial axes are moderately divergent.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Broad, strong, profile sub-convex. The width of the skull should be equal or superior to its length. Frontal sinus accentuated. Occipital crest marked.

Stop : Slightly sloping, not very accentuated.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Black, wet, big and broad.

Muzzle : Straight nasal bridge. Seen from above, the muzzle appears moderately rectangular, tapering gradually in width towards the nose, but still keeping an appreciable width. In no case it should be pointed.

Lips : The upper lip largely covering the lower lip; the lower lip with slak mucous membranes forms a very loose labial commissure. The mucous membranes must be black.

Jaws/Teeth : Scissor bite. Teeth white, solid and sound. Big, pointed canines assuring a good hold of prey. Molars solid and powerful. Incisors rather small. All premolars should be present. Palate black, with well marked ridges.

Eyes : Small in comparison with the skull, almond shaped, preferably dark, of hazel colour. The look is attentive, noble, soft and intelligent, very hard in front of strangers. Eyelids of thick tissue, with black pigmentation. The lower lid allows a part of the conjunctiva to be seen.

Ears : Of medium size and hanging; triangular shape, flat. Attached above the eye-line. At rest, hanging close to the cheeks, without being too close to the skull. In attention, they come away from the cheeks and are partially pricked in the back part of their top third. They must not be cropt.

NECK : Trunk shaped, broad, solid, muscled, flexible. Skin thick and loose. Double dewlap amply developed.

BODY : Rectangular. Stocky and robust, showing great power; yet supple and agile.

Topline : Straight, horizontal including while on the move.

Withers : Well marked.

Back : Powerful, muscled.

Loin : Long, broad and powerful; its dimensions decreasing down towards the flank.

Croup : Broad and solid. Its inclination to the horizontal is of some 45°. The height at the croup is equal to the height at the withers.

Chest : Broad, deep, muscled and powerful. The point of the sternum marked. Ribs with wide intercostal spaces, rounded, not flat. The minimum thoracic perimeter exceeds by about 1/3 the height at the withers.

Belly and flank : Belly very moderately tucked-up; the flank let down and very ample.

TAIL : Very thick at its root and set at medium height. Solid, supple and covered with hair longer than that of the rest of the body. At rest it is carried low, distinctly reaching the hock; sometimes forms a curve in its last quarter. When the dog is moving or animated, he will raise it sabre fashion, with a curve at its tip, but never curved in all its length nor carried over the croup.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs perfectly vertical, straight and parallel seen from the front. The length of the forearm should be the triple of that of the pastern (metacarpus). Bone structure solid, with powerful metacarpus.

Shoulder : Oblique, very muscular, longer than the forearm. The scapular-humeral angle is near the 100°.

Upper arm : Strong, of similar length to that of the shoulderblade.

Elbows : Close to the thorax. Humeral-radial angle close to 125°.

Forearm : Solid, with vertical bone.

Pastern : Seen from the side slightly oblique. Is pratically in the extension of the forearm. Solid bone.

Forefeet : Cat feet. Toes close, solid, well arched. Nails and pads strong and resistant. Interdigital membranes of medium development and covered with hair.

HINDQUARTERS : Powerful, muscular. Lateral view: adequate angulations in form of big articular angles. Correct limbs, seen from behind and from the side; hocks not deviated; they must be capable of transmitting the impulsion of the dog with ease, strength and elegance.

Thighs : Solid and muscular. Femoral-coxal angle nearly 100°.

Stifle : Femoral-tibial angle nearly 120°.

Lower thigh : Long, muscular, solid bone structure.

Hocks : The open angle of the hocks is nearly 130°.

Metatarsus : Well marked, with the Achilles tendon clearly visible.

Hind feet : Cat feet, very slightly oval. Dewclaws present or not, may be simple or double; their removal is permitted.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : The preferred gait is the trot, which must be harmonious, powerful and without tendency towards lateral rolling. No ambling.

SKIN : Elastic, thick, abundant and pink coloured with darker pigmented areas. All mucous membranes must be black.

COAT

HAIR : Dense, thick, medium length, smooth, distributed all over the body down to the interdigital spaces. Two types of coat are distinguished: covering coat on the back and an other protecting type on the ribcage and the flanks. Shorter on the legs, longer and silky on the tail.

COLOUR : Indifferent. The colours most appreciated being the self-coloured like yellow, fawn, red, black, wolf colour and deer-colour; also appreciated are the combined colours like brindle, parti-coloured or dogs with a white collar.

SIZE : There is no upper limit of size, the subjects of greatest size being the ones most highly thought after providing they are of harmonious proportions.

Height at the withers : Minimum size for males : 77 cm.

for bitches : 72 cm.

It is desirable that these measurements be amply exceded; the size in males should be over 80 cm, and in females over 75 cm.

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.

SLIGHT FAULTS :

Roman nose, without excess.
Pincer bite; lack of any premolar.
Weak lumbar-dorsal line, having lost its straight line and ondulating on the move.
Pasterns, rear-pasterns and feet weak, without excess.
Timidity, not too accentuated.

SERIOUS FAULTS :

Exaggerated frail or lethargic appearance.
Pointed muzzle.
Moderately overshot mouth.
Absence of various molars or canines, not from traumatic origin.
Excessive entropion or ectropion.
Cropping of the ears.
Tail resting on the croup.
Sway back.
Height at the croup noticeably superior to the height at the withers.
Docking of the tail.
Incorrect legs, weak or deviated.
Cow-hocked either standing or moving.
Lateral displacement of the legs when moving.
Wavy coat, curly or of excessive length.
Unbalanced temperament, excessive timidity or exaggerated aggressiveness.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

Nose or mucous membranes depigmented.
Split nose.
Undershot mouth of whatever degree; excessively overshot.
Light eyes.

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.

FCI-Standard N° 92 / 30. 08. 2002 (Dutch / Ned. standaard)

PYRENEAN MASTIFF (Mastín del Pirineo) Foto

UTILIZATION : Guard and defense. Previously, the Pyrenean Mastiff was used for defense against beasts of prey, in particular against wolf and bear. Nowadays he is an excellent guard for country estates and their owners as he is easily trained.

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

GENERAL APPEARANCE : That of a very large dog, above average size and of medium proportions. Harmonious, emphatically strong and muscular. Firm bone structure. Coat not exaggerated in length. In spite of his size, must not give the impression of being heavy or sluggish.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Friendly towards humans, calm, noble and very intelligent, at the same time courageous and proud towards strangers from whom he never backs away. In his behaviour towards other dogs, he is good natured and aware of his superior strength. Occasionally, he will fight with great skill, an atavistic quality which goes back to hundreds of years of fighting wolves. His dark bark comes from deep within his chest. His expression is alert.

HEAD : Large, strong, moderately long. Length of skull is 5 : 4 in proportion to bridge of nose. Longitudinal axes of skull and muzzle are very slightly diverging to almost parallel. Seen from above, skull and muzzle must be long and even in shape without marked difference between width at set-on of muzzle and width at temple. Seen from side, head must be deep and not bulging.

Skull : Broad, strong, slightly convex in profile. Width of skull equal to or slightly broader than length. Occipital bone pronounced.

Muzzle : Seen from side, bridge of nose must be straight. Seen from above, the muzzle is slightly triangular, tapering very gradually from its set on to the nose leather, without, however, getting pointed.

Lips : The upper lip should cover the lower without any hint of slackness. The lower lip forms a marked labial corner. Mucous membranes should be black.

Jaws/Teeth : Scissor bite. Teeth white, strong and healthy. Canines: large, long, pointed, well adapted to each other, so as to be able to catch any prey. Molars: large and strong. Incisors: rather small. All premolars should be present. Gums black with pronounced transverse membraneous ridges.

Eyes : Small, almond shaped, hazel colour. Dark eyes preferred. Expression is alert, noble, sympathetic and intelligent, but can be extraordinarily stern towards an opponent. Eye lids: black pigmented.

When dog is alert, lids fitting close to eyeball are preferred. In repose, a slight slackness of the lower lid, which shows a small stripe of conjunctiva, is typical of the breed.

Ears : Medium size, triangular, hanging flat. Set on above line of eyes. In repose, hanging close to cheeks. When dog is alert, clearly standing away from cheeks. One third of the upper and rear part should be slightly pricked. Ears should not be cropped.

NECK : Should be the shape of a blunt cone, broad, strong, muscular and flexible. Skin thick and slightly loose. Distinct double dewlap, well formed, yet not exaggerated.

General impression : Rectangular, powerful and robust, giving the impression of great strength, yet supple and agile.

Croup : Wide and strong. Compared to the horizontal its inclination is 45°. Height at rump equal to height at withers.

Chest : Broad, deep, muscular and powerful. Point of sternum protruding. Ribs spaced widely apart with rounded ribcage, not flat. Proportion of height at withers to girth of chest: approximately 7 : 10.

TAIL : Set on medium high. Thick at root, strong and flexible. The coat on tail is definitely long, soft and forms a beautiful plume. In repose it hangs low and reaches easily to the hocks. The last third is always lightly curved. In movement and when the dog is alert, it is carried in sabre form with definite hook at tip but without the entire length being bent or resting over the back.

General impression : Seen from the front, absolutely vertical, straight and parallel. Muscles and sinews clearly visible. Length of forearm three times length of pastern. Good strength of bone, strong pastern.

Shoulders : Well muscled. Shoulderblade sloping, longer than forearm. Angle of shoulderblade to upper arm approximately 100°.

Elbows : Very bony, close fitting to ribcage. Angle of upper arm to forearm approximately 125°.

Pastern : Seen from side, slightly sloping, practically in continuation of forearm.

Front feet : Cat feet. Toes tight with strong, well arched toe bones. Nails and pads strong and robust. Skin between toes moderately developed, hairy.

General impression : Powerful, muscular. Adequate angulations, seen from the side. Seen from rear and side, limbs are vertical. Hocks straight and vertical. Hindquarters must have the ability to provide with ease forceful drive with elegance.

Hind pastern : Well defined with clearly visible Achilles tendon. Dewclaws, either single or double, are either present or missing. Their removal is permitted. In dogs of equal quality, double dewclaws are preferred.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Preferred movement is the trot which should be harmonious, strong and elegant. No tendency for legs to swing outward. No pacing.

SKIN : Elastic, thick, pink in colour, with dark pigmented patches. All mucous membranes should be black.

HAIR : Dense, thick and of moderate length. The ideal medium length, measured on middle section of topline, should be 6 to 9 cm. The coat is longer on the shoulders, neck, under belly, at the back of legs as well as on the tail. On the plume, the texture is not as bristly as elsewhere on the body. The coat should bristly, not woolly in texture.

COLOUR : Basic colour white, always with a well defined mask. Sometimes there are irregularly distributed distinctly outlined patches of the same colour as the mask. Tricolour or pure white dogs are undesirable. Ears always spotted. Tip of tail and lower parts of legs are always white. Mask should be clearly defined. It is an advantage if the outline of the patches is clear cut. At the roots, the coat should be as light as possible, ideally really white. The most desired colours are, in order of preference, pure white (snow-white), patches medium grey, intensive golden yellow, brown, black, grey-silver, light beige, sandy or marbled. Undesirable are red patches and yellowish-white basic colour.

SIZE : There is no upper height limit. When quality is equal, the bigger dog is always preferred.

It is, however, desirable that all dogs should exceed the lower limit considerably. Dogs should be above 81 cm, bitches 75 cm.

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.

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.

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

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : We consider, sometimes, the actual dogs from the Serra de Aires descendants from a pair of dogs of the Briard Sheepdog breed, imported by the County of Castro Guimaraes, a the beginning of this century. The existing dogs are in considerable number and with characteristics so firmly established and yet so different, they relate more to the Pyrenean Sheepdog, making us think that they are therefore a branch of that breed which was wanted to improve through the Briard Sheepdog.

If it is not for that reason, we do not understand why one would have chosen, as a sheepdog for the Alentejo, a breed which would have difficulties in adapting to the climate of that region.

GENERAL APPEARANCE AND APTITUDES : Medium size dog, fairly long body. Exceptionally intelligent and very lively, endowed with perceptible hardiness and prudence, very devoted to the shepherd and flock entrusted to him, avoids strangers and guards at night. He was monkey-like attitudes and looks, which is why in his native region, he is called “monkey dog”.

He is used particularly in the Alentejo, for guarding and driving all the flocks and herds (sheep, goats, cattle, horses, pigs).

He is preferred for the skilful way he has with keeping the flocks in the pastures and bringing back the runaways and strays.

Skull : Slightly longer than wide; convex on the two axes, but more so laterally; the superciliary ridges are not prominent; the medial furrow is pronounced up to the half of the forehead; skull between set-on of ears almost flat, occipital protuberance visible.

Nose : Well detached, slightly raised, with large nostrils; cylindrical and almost vertically truncated; black is preferable or otherwise darker than the coat.

Muzzle : Almost cylindrical, straight in profile or slightly hollowed; short, measuring about two thirds of the length of the skull; width in proportion to length and shape.

Jaws/Teeth : Normally developed; in perfect opposition with white and solid teeth.

Eyes : Lively expression, intelligent and docile; set level with the head; preferably of a dark colour; rounded, medium size and horizontal; eyelids black pigmented or always darker than the coat colour.

Ears : Set high; hanging and without folds, when they are not cropped, and straight when they are cropped; triangular, medium length, fine and smooth.

NECK : Harmoniously attached to head and body, straight and slightly rising; of regular size; without dewlap.

Loins : Short and rounded; wide and curved, well muscled and well joined to the back and the croup.

TAIL : High set, pointed, tapering towards the base, touching the hocks; when relaxed carried between the legs, more or less arched or curved at the tip; in action spreads out a little curved and fans out or rolls up.

FOREQUARTERS : Strong, evenly separated; vertical seen from the front and sides.

Shoulder and upperarm : Strong, medium length; well muscled; angle of the shoulder straight.

Pastern : Of even size; medium length, not very sloping from top to bottom and back to front.

Feet : Round, not flat, toes long and tight, very well knuckled up; nails long, strong and black or darker than the colour of the coat; pads thick and tough.

HINDQUARTERS : Strong, regularly separated; in vertical position from the back in profile.

Hock joint : Set rather lower than high; of normal width, strong and lean, angle of the hock well open.

Metatarsal : Of even thickness, but strong; medium length, not very sloping from top to bottom and front to back; single or double dewclaws are allowed.

Feet : Round, not flat; toes long and tight, well knuckled up; nails long, strong and black or darker than the colour of the coat; the pads are thick and tough.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Light and flowing, predominantly the trot; the gallop when work demands it, energetic.

SKIN : The internal and external mucous membranes preferably pigmented; skin does not fit too tightly.

HAIR : Very long, smooth or slightly wavy, forming long beards, moustache and eyebrows, but not covering the eyes.

COLOUR : The colours are yellow, chestnut, grey, fawn and wolf grey, with shadings from light to ordinary and dark, and black, more or less marked with tan with or without mixed white hairs, but never with white patches, except a small patch on the chest; hair very long on the head, body and legs, including between the toes. Hair of medium thickness and of goat like texture; dense and evenly distributed all over the body; there is no undercoat or wool.

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.

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.

UTILIZATION : This breed is mainly encountered in the north of the country. According to their natural disposition, these dogs are used for hunting rabbits, singly or in a pack. This is the reason why it goes too by the name of Warren Hound. They are also appreciated as good watchdogs.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Of medium size and substance, well balanced in proportions, well muscled and with strong bone.

HEAD : Lean, shaped like a four-sided pyramid with a large base, diminishing considerably towards its pointed end. Longitudinal axes of the skull and foreface divergent.

Skull : Flat, almost straight in profile. Superciliary ridges prominent. Frontal groove hardly perceptible; the region between the ears horizontal; occipital bone prominent.

Nose : Tapering towards the slightly protruding tip; frontal plane of the nose slightly slanting; its colour always darker than that of the coat.

Muzzle : Nasal bridge rounded (in cross section); straight when seen in profile. Muzzle shorter than skull and broader at its base than at the front end.

Eyes : Very lively expression; barely protruding from the eye-sockets; colour varies according to coat colour, from honey to chestnut brown; small and set obliquely; colour of eyelids darker than coat colour.

Ears : Set on medium high and oblique; carried erect, very mobile; vertical forward when the dog is attentive; triangular shape, broad at the base, tapering to a point; ear leather thin; length of ear remarkably greater than width at set-on.

NECK : Harmonious transition from head to body; straight, suitably long; strong and well muscled. No dewlap.

Croup : Of medium length, broad and well muscled; straight or slightly slanting.

Chest : Forechest slightly accentuated, muscular, not too wide; chest deep and long, of medium width; long sternum rising towards rear; ribs hardly rounded, oblique.

TAIL : Set on high rather than low, strong, thick, of medium length, tapering towards a fine point; in repose hanging between hindlegs with the tip slightly curved upwards; in movement carried horizontally with a slight upward curve or carried upright in sickle shape; never curled up into ring shape.

General : Seen from the front and from the side, vertical and straight, well muscled and clean.

Shoulders and upper arm : Long and oblique; strong and well muscled; forming a blunt angle at shoulder joint.

Front feet : Round; long, strong, tightly bunched and strongly arched toes; nails strong, short, preferably dark; pads hard and resistant.

General : Seen from behind and from the side, straight and parallel; well muscled, clean.

Hind feet : Round; long, strong, tightly bunched and strongly arched toes; short, strong, preferably dark nails; hard and resistant pads.

SKIN : Mucous membranes preferably with black pigment or, in any case, darker than coat colour. Skin thin and close fitting.

HAIR : Short or long coat, of medium thickness; smooth in the short-haired variety; wiry (similar to the bristles of a wild boar) in the long-haired variety. The short coat is denser than the long coat. With the long coat there is a distinct « beard » underneath the lower jaw. No undercoat or fluff.

COLOUR : Predominant colours are yellow, fawn (in all shades from light to very dark) and black (diluted or faded); self-coloured with or without white markings; or white as basic colour with markings in the listed colours.

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.

· General appearance : Any sign of crossing with a Galgo (Spanish sighthound) or a Perdiguero (Portuguese Pointer).

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.

The breed characteristics of the Large Podengo, a nearly extinct variety in the country of origin, are almost identical with those of the medium size Podengo, with the following exceptions:

General appearance : Strong dog with plenty of substance, mainly used for hunting deer.

The breed characteristics of the Small Podengo are also nearly identical to those of the medium size Podengo, with the following exceptions:

General appearance : A small dog somewhat elongated in proportions which is used for hunting rabbits as well as driving them from their burrows or rock clefts.

Limbs : Short. Forearm straight or slightly turned from outwards to inwards in its whole length.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : Of French origin and more precisely, from the centre of Brittany. At present, in first place numerically among French sporting breeds. Probably one of the oldest of the spaniel type dogs, improved at the beginning of the 20^th century by diverse outcrosses and selections. A draft of a breed standard drawn up in Nantes in 1907 was presented and adopted at the first General Assembly held in Loudéac (in former Côtes du Nord department, now Côtes d’Armor), June 7, 1908. This was the first standard of the « Naturally Short-Tailed Brittany Spaniel Club ».

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Smallest of the pointing breeds. The Brittany spaniel is a dog with a Continental spaniel-type head (braccoïde in French) and a short or inexistent tail. Built harmoniously on a solid but not weighty frame. The whole is compact and well-knit, without undue heaviness, while staying sufficiently elegant. The dog is vigorous, the look is bright and the expression intelligent. The general aspect is « COBBY » (brachymorphic), full of energy, having conserved in the course of its evolution the short-coupled model sought after and fixed by those having recreated the breed.

· The depth of the chest, from withers to brisket, is slightly less than half the height of the dog.

· The scapulo-ischial length (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks) is equal to the height at the withers (the dog fits in a square).

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Dog adapting itself to any environment, sociable, with an intelligent and attentive expression, mentally balanced. Versatile pointing dog, for any game on any terrain, precocious in revealing its hunting passion. Remarkable in its searching for game, its gaits, its scenting ability, its ranging in the field, its spontaneity and duration of pointing, its retrieving and its aptitude for training.

CRANIAL REGION : Slightly rounded as seen from the front or the side. Seen from above, the lateral surfaces are slightly convex. The top lines of the head and the muzzle are parallel. The width of the skull measured between the zygomatic arches is less than its length. The supercilliary arches are not prominent but form a slightly rounded curve. The frontal furrow as well as the sagittal crest are slightly defined. The stop is moderate. The occipital crest as well as the zygomatic arches are moderately defined.

Nose : Large, with very wide, humid and well-open nostrils, of a colour in harmony with that of the coat, as is the case of the edges of the eyelids and natural orifices.

Lips : Not loose, not very large, relatively thin and fitting tightly. The lower is discreetly masked by the upper whose contour bends progressively until reaching the commisure, which is not too apparent and tightly