TRANSLATION : Mrs. Peggy Davis.

ORIGIN : Italy.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 27.11.1989.

UTILIZATION : Protection and guard dog.

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

                                              Section 2.1   Molossoid breeds, Mastiff type.

                                              Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Neapolitan Mastiff is a descendant of the great Roman Mastiff described by Columelle in the first century A.D. in his book “de re rustica”. Widespread all over Europe by the Roman legions, with which he has fought, he is the ancestor of numerous mastiff breeds in the other European countries. Having survived as so many centuries in the countryside at the foot of the Mt. Vesuvius and in general in the region of Naples, he has been re-selected since 1947, thanks to the tenacity and devotion of a group of dog lovers.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Large, heavy massive and bulky dog, whose length of body exceeds the height at the withers.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The length of the body is 10% more than the height at the withers. The ratio skull-muzzle is of 2 to 1.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Steady and loyal, not aggressive or biting without reason, guardian of the property and its inhabitants, always vigilant, intelligent, noble and majestic.

HEAD : Short and massive, with a skull wide at level of zygomatic arches; its length is about 3/10 of the height at the withers. Ample skin with wrinkles and folds of which the most typical and the best marked goes from the outer palpebral angle down to the lip angle. The upper longitudinal axes of the skull and the muzzle are parallel.

CRANIAL REGION :  The skull is wide, flat, particularly between the ears, and, seen from the front, slightly convex in its fore part. The bizygomatic width is more than half the length of the head. The zygomatic arches are very prominent, but with flat muscles. The protuberances of the frontal bones are well developed; the frontal furrow is marked; the occipital crest is hardly visible.

Stop : Well defined.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Set in the prolongation of the muzzle, must not protrude beyond the outer vertical line of the lips; must be voluminous with large, well opened nostrils. Its colour is according to the colour of the coat: black for the black subjects, dark grey-brown in dogs of other colours, and chestnut for brown coats.

Muzzle : It is very wide and deep; its length corresponds to that of the fore-face and must be equal to the third of the length of the head. The lateral sides are parallel (between them), so that, seen from the front, the shape of the muzzle is practically square.

Lips :  Fleshy, thick and full; upper lips, seen from the front, form an inverted “V” at their meeting point. The lower lateral profile of the muzzle is shaped by the upper lips; their lowest part is the corner of the lips, with visible mucous membranes, situated on the vertical from the external angle of the eye.                    

Jaws : Powerful with strong jaw bones and dental arches joining perfectly. Lower jaw must be well developed in its width.

Teeth : White, well developed, regularly aligned and complete in number. Scissor bite, i.e. upper incisors closely overlapping the lower ones in close contact, set straight to the jaw, or pincer bite, i.e. upper incisors meet edge to edge with the lower incisors.

Eyes : Set on an equal frontal level, well apart one from the other; rather round, slightly deep set. Compared with the coat colour, the colour of the iris is darker. The eye may nevertheless be lighter in coats of diluted shades.

Ears : Small in relation to the size of the dog, of triangular shape, set above the zygomatic arch, they are flat and close to the cheeks. When they are cropped, they have the form of an almost equilateral angle.

NECK : 

Profile : The upper profile is slightly convex.

Length : Rather short, measures about 2,8/10 of the height of the withers.

Shape : Conical trunk shaped, well muscled. At mid-length the perimeter is equal to about 8/10 of the height of the withers. 

Skin : Lower edge of the neck is well endowed with loose skin which forms a double dewlap well separated, but not exaggerated; starts at level of the lower jaw and does not go beyond middle of the neck.

BODY : The length of the body exceeds by 10% the height at the withers.

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

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. The ribcage ample, with long and well sprung ribs. The circumference of the thorax is about ¼ more than the height at the withers.

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 : Broad and wide with well developed chest muscles. Its width is in direct relation with that of the ribcage and reaches the 40-45% of the height at the withers. The tip of the sternum is situated at the level of the scapular-humeral joint. 

TAIL : 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, in action lifted horizontally or slightly higher than the top line.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : On the whole, the forequarters, from the ground to the point of the elbow, seen in profile and from the front, are vertical with a strong bone structure in proportion with the size of the dog.

Shoulders : Their length measures about 3/10 of the height at the withers with an obliqueness of 50°-60° on the horizontal. The muscles are well developed, long and well defined. The angle of the scapulo-humeral articulation is of 105°-115°.

Arm :  Measures about 30% of the height at the withers. Its obliqueness is of 55°-60° furnished with significant musculature.

Elbows : Covered with abundant loose skin, they are not too close to the body.

Forearm : Its length is almost the same as that of the arm. Placed in perfect vertical position, of a strong bone structure, with lean and well developed muscles.

Pastern joint : Broad, lean and without nodosity, continues the vertical line of the forearm.

Pastern : Flat, continues the vertical line of the forearm. Its inclination on the horizontal towards the front is about 70° to 75°. Its length is equal to about 1/6 of the length of the limb from the ground up to the elbow.

Forefeet : Of round shape, large, toes well arched and well-knit. The pads are lean, hard and well pigmented. The nails are strong, curved and of a dark colour.

HINDQUARTERS : On the whole they must be powerful and sturdy, in proportion with the size of the dog and capable of the required propulsion in movement.

Upper thigh : In length measuring 1/3 of the height at the withers and its obliqueness on the horizontal is about 60°. It is broad with thick, prominent but clearly distinct muscles. The thigh bone and the tip bone (femur and coxal) form an angle of 90°.

Stifle : The femoral-tibial (hip bone-shin bone) angle is about 110°-115°. 

Lower thigh : Length slightly inferior to that of the thigh and of an obliqueness of 50°-55°, with strong bone structure and well visible musculature.

Hock joint : Very long in relation to the length of the leg, its length is about 2,5/10 of the height at the withers. The tibial-tarsal articulation forms an angle of 140°-145°.

Hock : Strong and lean, its shape almost cylindrical, perfectly straight and parallel, its length is about ¼ of the height at the withers; eventual dewclaws should be removed.

Hindfeet : Smaller than the forefeet, round with well-knit toes. Pads dry, hard and pigmented. Nails strong, curved and of dark colour.

GAIT / MOVEMENT  : This constitutes a typical characteristic of the breed. At the walk, the gait of feline type of lion steps, is slow and resembles that of a bear. The trot is distinguished by a strong thrust of the hindquarters and a good extension of the forequarters. The dog rarely gallops; usual gaits: walk and trot. Pacing is tolerated.

SKIN : Thick, abundant and loose all over the body, particularly on the head where it forms numerous folds and wrinkles, and at the lower part of the neck where it forms a double dewlap.

COAT

HAIR : Short, rough and hard, dense, of the same length all over, uniformly smooth, fine and measures 1,5 cm maximum. Must not show any trace of fringing.

COLOUR : Preferred colours are: grey, leaden grey and black, but also brown, fawn and deep fawn (red deer), with, sometimes, little white patches on the chest and on the tip of the toes. All these coats may be brindled; hazel, dove-grey and Isabella shades are tolerated.

SIZE AND WEIGHT  :

Height at  withers : Males :    65-75 cm.

                             Females : 60-68 cm.

Weight : Males :    60 -  70 kg.

             Females : 50 - 60 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.

SERIOUS FAULTS :

• Pronounced undershot mouth.

• Gay tail (trumpet tail).

• Sizes bigger or smaller than the limits allowed.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

• Overshot mouth.

• Accentuated convergence or divergence of the facial-cranial axes.

• Topline of muzzle concave or convex or very aquiline (Roman nose).

• Total depigmentation of nose.

• Wall eye; total depigmentation of both rims of eyelids; cross eyed.

• Absence of wrinkles, folds and dewlap.

• Absence of tail whether congenital or artificial. 

• Extensive white patches; white markings on the head.

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

FCI-Standard N° 198 (Dutch / Ned. standaard)

SEGUGIO ITALIANO COARSE-HAIRED     Foto

OTHER NAMES : Italian Segugio - Coarse-haired; Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte; Chien Courant Italien Poil Dur; Italienscher Lauthund Rauhhaarig; Sabueso Italiano Pelo Duro.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 6          Scenthounds and Related Breeds.
                                             Section 1        Scenthounds.
                                             Subsection 2   Medium Sized Hounds.

ORIGIN: Italy.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The origin of the Segugio loses itself in the passing of times. Dogs of the same type and stature as the present Segugio adorn the statues of "Diane the Huntress" (Naples Museum) and that of Diana with Bow and Arrow (Vatican Museum). In a Lombard necropolis of the province of Verona, there have recently been discovered two skeletons in perfect state of conservation, of which the conformation is identical to that of the modern Segugio. At the castle of Borso d'Este (1600), one can see a painting which gives an excellent representation of the present Segugio.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Dog of general medium proportion, the body fitting into a square; harmonious as to size (heterometric = normal proportions between the size and the different parts of the body) and unharmonic in proportion to the profiles (alloidism = concordance between the profiles of the head and body). Its construction is well balanced, perfectly symmetrical, well built, with lean shapes, well muscled and without trace of fat, making him capable of following game from dawn to dusk.

TEMPERAMENT/BEHAVIOUR: The Segugio is perfectly adapted to the most difficult terrains and can be used as well in the mountains as on level ground. Very resistant and fast, he works with ardor and passion, alone or in a pack. Compared with the short-haired subjects, he is more reserved less exuberant, wise, calm and poised for the job. His expression is friendly, soft and proud, yet veiled by a melancholic reflection. His voice is resonant and very harmonious.

DESCRIPTION:

HEAD : Of longish shape. Its length reaches the 4/10ths of the height at the withers.

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull: Seen from above the skull presents itself in elongated ellipsis shape; in profile, its upper longitudinal axis is moderately divergent in relation to the longitudinal axis of the muzzle; the profile of the skull is slightly convex; the bi-zygomatic width must be inferior to half the length of the head; the superciliary arches only slightly developed; frontal furrow not pronounced; the occipital protuberance should be distinct, but slightly recessed, therefore only slightly visible, perceptible only by touch: it must be short.
Stop : Very slightly marked; from the muzzle, the upper profile must ascend in a soft slope towards the skull.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Large; seen in profile protudes beyond the forward vertical line of the lips; fresh and moist, with well opened and mobile nostrils. Always black.
Muzzle : The muzzle measures half the length of the head; its depth exceeds just slightly half its length; its width reaches the 17% of the length of the head; the upper profile is slightly convex; the lateral sides of the muzzle converge, but not to the point of making the muzzle pointed. In their entire length, the branches of the lower jaw are almost in a straight line; they are slightly developed in their fore part. The sub-orbital region is chiseled, but a little less than in the short-haired Segugio.
Jaws : Strong in appearance, normally developed; the dental arches of the incisors perfectly adapted.
Cheeks : Not too marked.
Teeth : White, regularly aligned and of normal size; complete; scissor bite is correct, pincer bite is acceptable.
Eyes : Large, luminous eyes of dark ochre color; in semi-lateral position, the inner corner of the eyelids must be at equal distance from the forward edge of the nose and the external point of the occipital crest; fascinating expression, a look soft and proud with a veil of sadness; eye opening almond shape, with perfectly close fitting eyelids. The rim of the eyelids must be black.
Ears : Their inset, of moderate width, is at the level of the zygomatic arches; they are hanging, of triangular shape, flat in almost their entire length (66 - 70% of the length of the head) and very broad. The ear ends in a sharp point. Although thin, the ear cartilage must be rather rigid in its entirety; its insertion, very rigid, is characterized by a torsion which draws the ear forward without allowing it to relax nor to fold over on itself, nor to curl. The point is turned slightly inwards. The ear is covered with hair of moderate length, shorter than that of the body, less harsh, and without any fringing.

NECK - The topline of the neck is slightly arched, the lower part absolutely without dewlap.
Shape : It is that of a truncated cone attached to the head by a well defined nape; also the neck must connect with the body by blending harmoniously with the shoulders; very lean and light, it must give the impression of not being very muscular.

BODY - Its length measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, is equal to the height at the withers.
Top line : Seen in profile, from the withers to the rump, the topline is straight. Just slightly convex at loin level.
Withers : Only slightly raised over the backline and narrow because of closeness of the points of the shoulder blades, blends harmoniously with the neck.
Back : Upper profile of back is straight, well muscled, even if not very apparent. The ratio between the thoracic length and that of the lumbar region is of 3 to 1. The length of the loin is a little inferior to the fifth of the height at the withers; its width is a little inferior to its length; muscles well developed.
Rump : Upper profile of the rump is slightly convex. The rump is considered to be horizontal, because its obliqueness from the haunch to the tail set is between 15° to 20°; its length is about 1/3 of the height at the withers, and its width the 2/3 of its length; powerful musculature.
Chest : Its length reaches about half the height at the withers; its width is about 1/3 of the height at the withers; its depth must be about 48% of the height at the withers; the lateral sides show a slight convexity. The upper rib arches, however, must be well sprung. Chest of moderate width; the manubrium of the sternum must be at the level of the points of the shoulders.
Underline : The lower profile is determined by a straight line which rises gradually towards a lean abdomen (belly), never tucked up. The flanks are slender, never fleshy.
Tail : Set high, on the line of the rump, thicker at its base than that of the short-haired Segugio, is covered with hair in its entire length, but without any fringing. At rest, it hangs sabre fashion. In action, it rises at the level of the topline and wags from left to right, while just touching the flanks lightly, or sometimes goes round in rotating movements. The tail is considered to be long although its tip end just close to the point of the hock.

QUARTERS

FOREQUARTERS : On the whole, the forequarters seen in profile, follow a vertical line which, from the scapular-humeral articulation, must reach the ground while touching the point of the toes, whereas a lowered vertical from the elbow point must divide in two almost equal parts, (the large being the front), the forearm and the carpus coming out at mid length on the back of the pastern. The height of the frontleg from the ground to the elbow is equal to half the height at the withers.
Shoulder : The shoulder is lean, long, very free in its movement; the point of the shoulder blades are very close to each other. The obliqueness below the horizontal goes from 45° to 55°.
Upper arm : Well joined to the body; like the shoulder, endowed with long and lean muscles; set parallel to the median plane of the body. The scapulo-humeral angle is of 110°, with an obliqueness of the shoulder blade of 45°.
Elbows : Equidistant from the median plane of the body; they must neither turn in or out. Humeral-radial angle of 135° to 145°.
Forearm : Its length reaches 1/3 of the height at the withers; the forearm is vertical, the almost cubito-carpal groove is well visible. It must give the impression of a lean (dry) and very thin limb.
Carpal joint : Lean (dry), covered with a fine and thin skin. Seen from the front, it extends the vertical line of the forearm.
Pastern : Its length is at least 1/6 of the length of the foreleg measured from the ground to the elbow; in profile somewhat slanting towards the front.
Forefoot : Oval shaped (hare foot), well closed arched toes, covered with dense hair; digital pads not very fleshy, pads dry, hard, leathery, always black. Strong nails, curved and always black. The presence of some white nails (not pink) is not a fault.

HINDQUARTERS : On the whole, a lowered vertical of the point of the buttock touches or almost falls on the tips of the toes. Seen from behind, a lowered vertical of the point of the buttock divides in two equal parts the point of the hock-joint, the hock and the hindfoot. The total length of the hindlimb is about 90% of the height at the withers.
Upper thigh : It is long and wide. Its length reaches at least a third of the height at the withers. Its lower edge is slightly convex; the point of the buttock is very visible. The bulging muscles are clearly divided one from the other. The upper-thigh is slightly oblique from top to bottom and from back to front. The angle of the coxal-femural articulation varies between 90° and 95°.
Stifle : In a perfect vertical line with the limb; neither turned in or out. The stifle joint angle varies between 110° and 120°.
Thigh : Its length is just slightly inferior to that of the upper-thigh, and its obliqueness below the horizontal is of 40°. Covered with lean muscles; the groove between the Achilles tendon and the bone is well defined and evident, with the outer saphenous vein quite prominent.
Hock joint : Seen laterally, its sides are very wide; it is considered to be low because the distance from the ground to the hock point must not exceed 27% of the height at the withers. The tibial-tarsal angle, closed because of the accentuated obliqueness of the tibia, oscillates between 115° and 125°.
Hock : Its length is defined by the height of the hock-joint: strong and lean, perpendicular to the ground. No dewclaws.
Hindfoot : Less oval than the forefoot, has all the same characteristics.

GAIT/MOVEMENT: Preferred gait of the Segugio is the gallop, but the hunting action forces him equally to walk and trot.

COAT:

SKIN : Close fitting all over the body, somewhat thick. The pigmentation of the mucous membranes, third eyelids, nails, central and digital pads is exclusively black. The dark pigmentation of the palate is not required, but is highly desirable.

COAT : Type of hair - On the body the length of the hair should not be more than 5 cm. The hair is definitely rough, except on the head, on the ears, the legs, the tail and the muzzle, where the hair is usually less rough than on the body and the lips; under the lips, the hair, although of moderate length, forms the so called beard. The hair on the superciliary arches is of limited length so as not to fall over the eyes or hide them.

COLOR : The permissible colors are the whole range of solid fawn, shading from the dark red fawn with black overlay to light fawn, and black and tan. The fawn may have white on the muzzle and the skull (symmetrical mask or not), a white star on the chest, white on the neck, on the pastern and hocks, on the feet and the tip of the tail. However white is not desirable, and the less there is, the better. The black and tan may have only the white star on the chest; in that case, the Segugio is called tricolor.

SIZE:

Height : At the withers: Males: from 52 cm to 60 cm; Females: from 50 cm to 58 cm.
Weight : Males: between 20 kg and 28 kg; Females: between 18 kg and 26 kg.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Height from ground to withers is equal to the length of the body measured from the scapular-humeral articulation to the point of the ischium (from point of shoulder to point of buttock). The withers must not be too prominent, but they should be slightly above the level of the rump. The length of the muzzle must reach half the length of the head. The depth of the chest is slightly more than half the height at the withers.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points constitutes a fault which when judging must be penalized according to its seriousness and extension. These conditions apply also to dogs who pace constantly.

ELIMINATING FAULTS : Head - Cranial-facial axes convergent. Size over or under the margins indicated by the standard.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS : Overshot mouth; concave muzzle; tailless or short tail, whether congenital or acquired; slate or lead color; brindle coat; coffee, brown or liver color, or white color predominant. Total depigmentation or depigmentation of the greater part of the nose or the rims of the eyelids; wall eye.

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

TRANSLATION : Mrs. Peggy Davis.

ORIGIN : Italy.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 27.11.1989.

UTILIZATION : Hunting dog, especially for the hunting of wild rabbits.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 5     Spitz and primitive types.      

                                              Section 7   Primitive type Hunting Dogs.                    

                                              Without working trial.  

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The classical studies on the subject of canine breeds disseminated in the Mediterranean basin have come to the conclusion that the Cirneco dell’Etna would descend from ancient hunting dogs bred in the valley of the Nile at the time of the Pharaos, dogs which would have arrived in Sicily with the Phoenicians. But very recent researches speak in favour of a new conception, according to which it would concern a native breed of Sicilian origin from precisely the vicinity of Etna. Coins and engravings prove in effect that the Cirneco existed in those parts many centuries BC.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Primitive type dog of elegant and slender shapes, medium size, not cumbersome, robust and strong. Of morphological conformation in slightly longish lines, of light construction; his body fits into a square; the coat is fine.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :

- Length of body equal to the height at the withers (built in a square).

- Depth of chest slightly less than the height from ground to elbow.

- Length of the muzzle does not reach half the length of the head (the ratio skull-muzzle is of 10 to 8, but preference is given to subjects whose length of muzzle reaches that of the skull.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Hunting dog, adapted to difficult terrain suitable especially to the hunting of wild rabbits; endowed with a lot of temperament, he is at the same time gentle and affectionate.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Oval shaped lengthwise, the superior axes of the skull and muzzle are hardly divergent or parallel. The upper profile of the skull is so slightly convex as to appear almost flat; the width of the skull between the zygomatic arches must not be more than half the length of the head; the superciliary arches are not very protruding; the frontal furrow is only slightly marked; the occipital crest and the occipital protuberance are only slightly developed.

Stop : Well accentuated, in shape of about 140° angle.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Of quite rectangular shape, rather large, its colour corresponding to colour of the coat (rather dark chestnut, light chestnut, flesh colour).

Muzzle : The length of the muzzle is at least 80% of the length of the skull; its depth or height (measured at the middle of the muzzle) reaches at least its proper length; its width (measured at the middle of the muzzle) is less than half its length. The muzzle is therefore pointed with a straight topline of the foreface; its lower lateral profile is defined by the mandible.

Lips : Fine, thin and taut, only just covering the teeth of the lower jaw. The mucous membrane at the corner of the lips is hardly visible.

Jaws/Teeth : Jaws normally developed although do not appear strong; lower jaw lightly developed, with receding chin. Incisors, set square in the jaws, are perfectly in line and adapted. Teeth well developed and complete, scissor bite.

Cheeks : Flat.

Eyes : The eyes, which seem rather small, are of an ochre colour, not too dark, amber or even grey, never brown or dark hazel; in lateral position; soft expression; oval shaped, with pigmentation of the eyelid rims corresponding with the colour of the nose.

Ears : Set quite high and close together, erect and rigid, the opening towards the front; triangular shape with narrow tip, must not be cropped. Their length is not more than half the length of the head.

NECK : Upper profile well arched (convex). The length of the neck is the same as that of the head. In shape similar to a truncated cone; the muscles are apparent, especially along the crest of the neck. Skin fine and taut, fitting closely; no dewlap.

BODY :

Topline : Straight, sloping gracefully from the withers towards the rump.

Withers : Raised above dorsal line, narrow because of the convergence of the shoulder blades; join harmoniously into the neck without any break in the line.

Back : Upper profile straight, with moderately developed muscles; the length of the thoracic part measures about 3 times the length of the lumbar part.

Loins: The length of the loins reaches about 1/5th of the height at the withers and its width is close to its length; muscles are short and slightly visible, but firm.

Croup : Upper profile rather flat, obliqueness below the horizontal reaching around 45°. The length of this lean and solid sloping rump reaches about the third of the height at the withers, and its width is nearly half of its length; muscles of the rump are not visible.

Chest : The length of chest is slightly more than half the height at the withers (about 57%) and its width (measured at the point of its largest width) is slightly less than the third of the height at the withers; the thorax reaches to, or nearly, the level of the elbow, but without going beyound that level; the ribs are only lightly sprung, but never flat; the perimeter of the chest which is more than the height of the withers by about 1/8th, determines a rather narrow chest.

Underline : The lower profile corresponds with an evenly ascending line along the belly without any sudden interruption. Belly lean and tucked up, flanks of equal length to that of the renal region.

TAIL : Low set, rather thick and of equal thickness in its entire length, quite long, goes down to or slightly lower than the level of the hock; carried sabre fashion when in repose; lifted over the back, trumpet fashion, when the dog is alert; hair smooth.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Straight and parallel. Seen in profile a vertical line drawn from the point of the shoulder touches the tip of the toes. Another vertical line, going from the radial-humeral articulation, divides the forearm and the carpus in two more or less equal parts ending at half - length of the metacarpus. Seen from the front, the limb must correspond to a vertical line lowered from the point of the shoulder which divides forearm, carpus, metacarpus and foot in two, more or less equal parts. The height of the foreleg from the ground to the elbow is slightly more than half the height at the withers.

Shoulders : The length of the shoulder blade must reach about 1/3 of the height at the withers, with an obliqueness below the horizontal of 55°; the upper tips of the blades are close to each other; the scapulo-humeral angle measures 115° to 120°.

Upper arm : Its length is equal to half the length of the leg measured from ground to elbow; almost perfectly parallel or almost so to the median plane of the body, slightly oblique below the horizontal, with noticeable and distinct muscles.

Elbow: Set at level or below the sternal line, parallel to the median plane of the body; the humeral-radial angle measures about 150°.

Forearm : Its length is equal to the third of the height at the withers; straight and parallel; the cubital-carpal groove is well obvious; bone structure is light but solid.

Pastern joint : Extends the straight line of the forearm; pisiform bone prominent.

Pastern : Its length must not be less than 1/6 of the height of the foreleg, measured from the ground to the elbow; wider than the carpus, but flat and dry, the pastern is slightly sloping from back to front; bone structure is flat and lean.

Forefoot : Oval shaped (harefoot) with well-knit and arched toes; nails strong and curved, brown or fleshy pink nearing brown, but never black; pads hard of the same colour as the nails.

HINDQUARTERS : Straight and parallel. Seen in profile, a vertical line, which descends from the rear point of the pelvic tuber to the ground, touches almost or touches the tips of the toes. Seen from behind, a vertical line drawn from the rear point of the buttock to the ground, splits the point of the hock, the metatarsal and the hind foot in two equal parts. The length of the hindlimb measures about the 93% of the height at the withers.

Upper thigh : Long and wide. Its length measures one third of the height at the withers; muscles are flat and the rear edge of the buttock is slightly convex; its width (outer surface) is equal to 3/4 of its length; the ileum-femoral angle measures about 115°.

Stifle : Must be on the vertical which goes from the buttock to the ground; the tibia-femoral angle is about 120°.

Lower thigh : Of slightly inferior length to that of the upper thigh, shows an obliqueness of 55° below the horizontal. The coverging muscles are lean and very distinct; bone structure is light; the groove along the Achilles tendon is well marked.

Hock : The distance from the sole of the foot to the point of the hock is not more than 27% of the height at the withers; its outer surface is wide; the tibial-tarsal angle is about 135°.

Metatarsal : Its length is equal to a third of the length of the foreleg measured from ground to elbow; of cylindrical shape and in vertical position, thus perpendicular to the ground; no dewclaws.

Hind feet : Slightly oval with otherwise all the same characteristics as the forefeet.

GAIT / MOVEMENT  : Gallop, with intermittent trotting phases.

SKIN : Fine, well fitting to the underlying tissues on all parts of the body. Colour varies according to that of the coat. The mucous membranes and the skin of the nose are in the colours described for the nose and must never show black patches nor be depigmented.

COAT

HAIR : Smooth on the head, on the ears and legs; semi-long (about 3 cm) but sleek and close lying on the body and the tail; hair straight and stiff like horse hair.

COLOUR :

·      Self-coloured fawn, more or less intense or diluted like isabella, sable, etc.

·      Fawn with more or less extensive white (white blaze on the head, white mark on the chest, white feet, white tip on tail, white belly; a white collar is less appreciated).  Self-coloured white or white with orange patches is tolerated; a fawn coat with a mixture of slightly lighter and darker hairs is allowed.

SIZE AND WEIGHT  :

Height at withers :                

Males :    From 46 to 50 cm. Tolerance up to 52 cm.

Females : From 42 to 46 cm. Tolerance up to 50 cm.

Weight :              

Males :   10 to 12 kg.

Females : 8 to 10 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.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

·      Aggresive or overly shy.

·      Convergence of the cranial-facial axes.

·      Concave foreface.

·      Accentuated over-or undershot mouth.

·      Wall eye.

·      Totally hanging ears or bat ears.

·      Tail curved up over the back.

·      Black nails.

·      Pads (digital and central) black.

·      Black depigmentation, even limited.

·      Self-coloured dogs brown or liver.

·      Black or brown patches.

·      Presence of black or brown hairs.

·      Brindle coat.

·      Black mucous membranes.

·      Total depigmentation.

·      Size above or by 2 cm below the margins indicated by the standard.

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.

TRANSLATION : Mrs. Peggy Davis.

ORIGIN : Italy.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 30.03.1992.

UTILIZATION : Racing dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 10  Sighthounds.

                                              Section 3  Short-haired Sighthounds.

                                              Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The little Italian Greyhound descends from small-sized greyhounds which already existed in ancient Egypt at the court of the Pharaohs. Passing through Laconie (Greece), where numerous representations on vases and bowls confirm this, the breed arrived in Italy at the outset of the 5th century BC. Its greatest development occured during the era of the Renaissance at the court of the nobles. It is not rare to find the Italian Greyhound represented in the paintings of the greatest Italian and foreign masters.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Of an elongated shape, its body fits into a square and its forms recall, in miniature, those of the Greyhound and the Sloughi. May be considered as a model of grace and distinction.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Its length is equal or only just inferior to the height at the withers. Length of skull is equal to half the length of the head. Length of head can reach the 40% of the height at the withers.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Reserved, affectionate, docile.

HEAD : Of elongated shape and narrow;  its length can attain 40% of the height at the withers.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Flat with the superior axes of the skull and muzzle parallel. Length of the skull is equal to half the length of the head. Lower orbital region well chiselled.

Stop : Frontal nasal depression only very slightly marked.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Of a dark colour, preferably black, with well opened nostrils.

Muzzle : Pointed.

Lips : Thin and tight, with edges of lips very darkly pigmented.

Jaws/Teeth : Jaws elongated with well aligned incisors crown shape, strong in relation to size of dog. Teeth sound and complete, set square to the jaws; scissor bite.

Cheeks : Lean.

Eyes : Large and expressive, neither deep-set nor protruding. Iris of dark colour, eyelid rims pigmented.

Ears : Set very high, small, with fine cartilage, folded in itself and carried well back on the nape and upper part of the neck. When the dog is attentive, the base of the ear is erected and the lobe tends to stand out laterally on the horizontal, position commonly known as « flying ears » or « propeller ears ».

NECK :

Profile : Upper line slightly arched and broken at its base towards the withers.

Length : Equal to that of the head.

Shape : Truncated cone, well muscled.

Skin : Lean and without dewlap.

BODY : Its length is equal or barely inferior to the height at the withers.

Topline : Straight profile with arched dorsal-lumbar region. The lumbar curve merging harmoniously in the line of the rump.

Withers : Quite well defined.

Back : Straight, well muscled.

Croup : Very sloping, wide and muscled.

Chest : Narrow, deep, let down to the elbows.

TAIL : Low set, fine even at base, tapering progressively to its tip. It is carried low and straight in its first half, the 2nd half curved. Pulled up between the thighs towards the topline, it should surpass the level of the hip-bone slightly. Covered with short hair.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : On the whole straight and vertical with lean muscles.

Shoulder : Very slightly sloping with well developed, lean and salient muscles.

Upper arm : With a very open scapular-humeral angle, and of a parallel direction to the median plane of the body.

Elbows : Neither out nor tied-in at elbows.

Forearm : Length of the limb measured from ground to elbow just slightly longer than the distance from elbow to the withers; very lightly boned; forearm in perfect vertical position as much from the front as in profile.

Pastern  : In the prolonged vertical line of the forearm; seen in profile it is a little slanting.

Forefoot : Of almost oval shape, small, with arched and closely-knit toes. Pads pigmented. Nails black or dark according to coat colour or that of the foot, where white is tolerated.

HINDQUARTERS : Seen from behind on the whole straight and parallel.

Upper thigh : Long, lean, not voluminous, with very distinct muscles.

Second thigh : Very sloping, with fine bone structure and well apparent groove in leg muscle.

Hock and metatarsal : In prolongation of a vertical line drawn from the ischial tuber.

Hindfoot : Less oval than the forefoot, with arched and closely-knit toes; pads and nails pigmented like the forefoot.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Springy, harmonious, no hackney gaiting (high-stepping). Gallop fast with sharp spring.

SKIN : Fine and tight on all parts of the body except for the elbows where it is slightly less tight.

COAT