FCI Standard 301

FCI-Standard N° 301 / 22. 01. 1999 (Dutch / Ned. standaard)

AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL Foto

ORIGIN : U.S.A.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 14.02.1995.

UTILIZATION : The American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States as an all-around hunting dog, bred to retrieve from skiff or canoes and work ground with relative ease.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 8 Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs.

Section 3 Water Dogs.

With working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : The American Water Spaniel is an active muscular dog, medium in size with a marcel to curly coat. Emphasis is placed on proper size and a symmetrical relationship of parts, texture of coat and colour.

A solidly built and well-muscled dog full of strength and quality. The breed has as much substance and bone as necessary to carry the muscular structure but not so much as to appear clumsy.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Is slightly longer than tall, not too square or compact. However, exact proportion is not as important as the dog being well-balanced and sound, capable of performing the breed’s intended function.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Demeanor indicates intelligence, eagerness to please and friendly. Great energy and eagerness for the hunt yet controllable in the field.

HEAD : The head must be in proportion to the overall dog. Moderate in length. Expression is alert, self-confident, attractive and intelligent.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Rather broad and full.

Stop : Moderately defined, but not too pronounced.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Dark in colour, black or dark brown. The nose sufficiently wide and with well-developed nostrils to insure good scenting power.

Muzzle : Moderate in length, square with good depth. No inclination to snipiness.

Lips : Clean and tight without excess skin or flews.

Jaws/Teeth : Either scissor or level bite.

Eyes : Medium size, set well apart, while slightly rounded, should not appear protruding or bulging. Lids tight, not drooping. Eye colour can range from a light yellowish brown to brown, hazel or dark tone to harmonize with coat. Disqualify yellow eyes. Yellow eyes are a bright colour like that of lemon, not to be confused with the light yellowish brown.

Ears : Set slightly above the eye line but not too high on the head, lobular, long and wide with leather extending to nose.

NECK : Round and of medium length, strong and muscular, free of throatiness, set to carry head with dignity, but arch not accentuated.

BODY : Well developed, sturdily constructed but not too compactly coupled.

Topline : Level or slight, straight slope from withers.

Loins : Strong.

Chest : Well-developed brisket extending to elbow neither too broad nor too narrow. The ribs well-sprung, but not so well-sprung that they interfere with the movement of the front assembly.

Flanks : Not showing tuck up.

TAIL : Is moderate in length, curved in a rocker fashion, can be carried either slightly below or above the level of the back. The tail is tapered, lively and covered with hair with moderate feathering.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs medium in length, straight and well-boned, but not so short as to handicap for field work or so heavy to appear clumsy.

Shoulders : Sloping, clean and muscular.

Pasterns : Strong with no suggestion of weakness. Front dewclaws are permissible.

HINDQUARTERS : The whole rear assembly shows strength and drive. Legs from hock joint to foot pad moderate in length, strong and straight with good bone structure.

Hips : Well-developed.

Thighs : Well-developed.

Hock joint : Slightly rounded, should not be small and sharp in contour, moderately angulated.

Hocks : Parallel.

FEET : Size of feet to harmonize with size of dog. Toes closely grouped, webbed and well-padded.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : The American Water Spaniel moves with well-balanced reach and drive. Watching a dog move towards one, there should be no signs of elbows being out. Upon viewing the dog from the rear, one should get the impression that the hind legs, which should be well-muscled and not cowhocked, move as nearly parallel as possible, with hocks doing their full share of work and flexing well, thus giving the appearance of power and strength.

COAT

HAIR : Coat can range from marcel (uniform waves) to closely curled. The amount of waves or curls can vary from one area to another on the dog. It is important to have undercoat to provide sufficient density to be of protection against weather, water or punishing cover, yet not too coarse or too soft. The throat, neck and rear of the dog well-covered with hair. The ear well-covered with hair on both sides with ear canal evident upon inspection. Forehead covered with short smooth hair and without topknot. Tail covered with hair to tip with moderate feathering. Legs have moderate feathering with waves or curls to harmonize with coat of dog. Coat may be trimmed to present a well-groomed appearance; the ears may be shaved; but neither is required.

COLOUR : Colour either solid liver, brown or dark chocolate. A little white on toes and chest permissible.

SIZE AND WEIGHT : 15 to 18 inches for either sex. Males weighing 30-45 lbs. Females weighing 25-40 lbs. Females tend to be slightly smaller than the males. There is no preference for size within the given range of either sex providing correct proportion, good substance and balance is maintained.

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 FAULT :

· Yellow eyes.

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

IRISH GLEN OF IMAAL TERRIER Foto

UTILIZATION : Like all other terriers, this small, tough breed had to hunt badgers and foxes, and to keep the rat population to a minimum. Now he is a gentle and docile family dog.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : Like many dogs in the Terrier group, not really appreciated by gentlemen sportsmen before the middle of the 19th century, the Irish Glen of Imaal is an old breed which was simply ignored for a long time, rather than the result of later breed experiments. He is very much a local dog, confined to the bleak area of the Glen of Imaal. The farmers of this area, who were descended from soldiers given land in the 16th and 17th centuries as payment for service rendered to the British Crown, had to utilize their natural cunning an dexterity to survive in this harsh terrain. A dog, who could not pull his weight in the day-to-day struggle for existence would not be tolerated. So he had to spend long hours propelling dog wheels and was often pitted against other dogs in the dubious sport of dog fighting, customs now disappeared. Before the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier became known at dog shows, he had evolved through generations of hard work into the strong sturdy dog we know today. The Irish Kennel Club gave official recognition to the breed in 1934 and a club to promote its interests was soon formed.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Medium sized with medium length coat, great strength with the impression of maximum substance for the size of the dog.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Active, agile and silent when working. Game and spirited with great courage when called upon, otherwise gentle and docile, who oozes personality; his loyal and affectionate nature makes him a very acceptable house dog and companion. The Irish Glen of Imaal is said to be less easily excited than other terriers, though he is always ready to give chase when called on.

Eyes : Brown, medium size, round and set well apart. Light eyes should be penalised.

Ears : Small rose or half pricked when alert, thrown back when in repose. Full drop or prick undesirable.

TAIL : Docked. Strong at root, well set on and carried gaily. Pups tails docked to half length. A natural tail (undocked) is allowed for in countries where docking is banned by law.

Feet : Compact and strong with rounded pads. Front feet to turn out slightly from pasterns.

GAIT/MOVEMENT : Free, not hackneyed. Covers ground effortlessly with good drive behind.

HAIR : Medium length, of harsh texture with soft undercoat. Coat may be tidied to present a neat outline.

· Puppies may be born coloured Blue, Wheaten, or Reddish. Lighter coloured pups usually have an inky blue mask, and there may also be a streak of Blue down the back, on the tail, and on the ears. The darker markings will clear with maturity.

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.

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

AMERICAN FOXHOUND Foto

Eyes : Large, set well apart, soft and houndlike; expression gentle and pleading. Colour brown or hazel.

Ears : Set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the tip of the nose; fine in texture; fairly broad, with almost entire absence of erectile power; setting close to the head with the forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek; round at tip.

NECK : Rising free and light from the shoulders, strong in substance, yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from folds of skin, a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, is allowable.

Chest : Should be deep for lung space, narrower in proportion to depth than the English Hound, 28 inches girth (71 cm) in a 23-inch (58 cm) hound being good.

TAIL : Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with slight curve; with very slight brush.

Shoulders : Sloping, clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded, conveying the idea of freedom of action with activity and strength.

Bitches should not be under 21 or over 24 inches (53-61 cm), measured across the back at the point of the withers, the hound standing in a natural position with his feet well under him.

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.

· Ears short, set-on high, or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.

· Neck thick, short, cloddy, carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed throatiness.

· Tail long. Teapot curve or inclining forward from the root. Rat tail. Entire absence of brush.

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

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Russian-European Laika has been bred from hunting Laiki of the northern zone of the European part of Russia. Apart from its main area of distribution the breed is widely spread in the middle and central zones of Russia. Since many years it is bred in large breeding kennels.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Medium size. Constitution clean and strong. Skeleton strong. Muscles well developed.

FACIAL REGION:
Muzzle: Dry and pointed, with tight fitting lips.
Teeth: Strong, white; scissor bite.
Eyes: Not large, oval, slanting, dark.
Ears: Mobile prick-ears, pointed at the end.

BODY:
Back: Strong, muscular.
Loins: Short, slightly arched.
Croup: Broad, not long, slightly sloping.
Chest: Deep, well developed.
Belly: Markedly tucked up.

FOREQUARTERS: Legs straight, Well-formed sloping shoulders. Pastern not long, slightly inclined.

HINDQUARTERS: Strong with good angulation of hocks. Lower thigh sufficiently long (a line, dropped vertically from the ischiadic tuberosity should run along the part of the almost vertical metatarsus). Dewclaws should be removed.

HAIR: Harsh and straight with well developed undercoat. Short and close fitting on head and ears. Longer on neck, withers and shoulders. Forms beard on cheekbones and a stand-off collar on neck. On the front side of limbs are covered with smooth close fitting hair, on the rear side it is somewhat longer, but does not from any feathering.

COLOUR: Black, gray, white, pepper and salt, dark with white patches, white with dark patches. Strong ticking on limbs and red color are undesirable.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Index of format (length of the body x 100: height at withers) in dogs 100-103, in bitches 100-105.

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.

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

SHORT HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
Bred in the forest zones of Eastern Siberia and the far East from a cross between Ewenkian, Lamutskian, Amur and other types of Laiki. Large and sturdy built Laiki from East of Baikal Lake and further to the Russian far east in the Amur River basin and maritime territory became distinguisjed as a purebred named the Eastsiberian Laika. This is the largest Russian Laika used for hunting and are also capable to pulling sleds.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Constitution strong. Strong bone structure, muscles well developed.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Index of format (length of the body x 100: height at withers) in dogs 104-108, in bitches 106-110.

BEHAVIOUR / CHARACTER: Balanced, lively.

The East Siberian Laika is usually not aggressive to people, but it is a good watchdog. Some dogs, if encouraged, become protective against human intruders. The East Siberian Laika is the most quiet and well-tempered Laika of Russia.

Attitude to other dogs

The East Siberian Laika has a strong territorial instinct. Therefore, it will meet with aggression any unfamiliar dog of the same sex coming close enough to its own house area. A dog that is aggressive on and near his owner property may be reluctant to visit other places where aggressive dogs live. East Siberian Laikas are strong and skillful dog fighters, but they do not make good pit fighting dogs, because they do not fight only to solve their problems, not for sport of killing other dogs. For example, the fight may brake out over a home range territory, a potential mating partner, unfinished food, a dominant status etc.

Attitude to domesticated and wild animals

The East Siberian Laika is a natural hunting dog highly aggressive to big predators. It is easy to teach not chase farm animals and pets. Like with many hunting dogs, rabbits and cats seem most tempting to them. Cats living in the same household are easily accepted and left alone, but other cats coming nearby will be chased and treed like game. Rabbits should be kept in sturdy dog proof cages in a well-fenced area or in a barn with closing doors.

The East Siberian Laika is a hunting dog with a strong natural instinct to hunt big and small game. In Russia, they are used to hunt a diverse game, from squirrel, marten and sable to moose, wild boar and bear. During the hunting search, a typical gate is a trot alternating with gallop. Strength and endurance of these dogs allow them to work fast in deep snow, tall grass, and swamps, on a rocky terrain or swim at near freezing point temperature.
Besides being very efficient hunting dog, the East Siberian Laika is a good sled dog. It can be taken to a hiking trip as a companion dog, if its hunting desire is not seen as a nuisance. During hiking, camping or near the farm house at home, presence of the East Siberian Laika is helpful, because this dog will detect and bark aggressively at dangerous predators, such as mountain lions or bears. The dog will harass the intruding predator by making threatening dashes and forcing it to defend itself, to tree or flee.
The East Siberian Laika does not fit to live in a city unless it is taken often for a free run in a safe place. Being exercised free regularly this dog will be in a good physical shape, content and obedient even if it lives inside, penned or chained.

CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Wedge shaped, but with broad skull. Occipital protuberance clearly defined.
Stop: Transition from cranial region to muzzle gradual.

FACIAL REGION:
Noseleather: Black; in white or pale yellow coloured dogs brown nose permitted.
Muzzle: Length of muzzle almost equal to the length of the skull. Upper line of the muzzle runs parallel with upper line of the skull. Muzzle seen in profile wedge shaped. Lips: dry, close fitting.
Teeth: White, strong; scissor bite.
Eyes: Not large, oval, slanting, dark in colour.
Ears: Pricked, triangular in form.

BODY
Withers: Well developed, rising above line of back.
Loin: Broad, muscular, slightly arched.
Croup: Broad, relatively long, sloping slightly.
Chest: Deep, broad, muscular.
Belly: Lightly tucked up.

TAIL: In sickle or ring shape; the sickle tail is carried erect or curved towards the loins; the strong ring tail leans on the croup or the buttocks. Reaching to the hocks, but may be 1 to 2 cm shorter.

LIMBS:

FOREQUARTERS: Forelegs straight and parallel. Angle between shoulder-blade and upper arm 90 to 100º. Length of front legs is slightly more than the half the height at withers. Pasterns slightly inclined.

HINDQUARTERS: Hindlegs straight and parallel. Angulations of joints well defined. Hocks (metatarsus) in almost vertical positions.

FEET: Almost round. Dewclans may occur.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: Typical gait: Gallop, alternating with trot.

COAT

HAIR: Hair of topcoat long, coarse, dense and straight. A collar is formed on neck and shoulders; in dogs a mane is formed at the withers. Undercoat dense and soft.

COLOUR: Pepper and salt, white, grey, black, red and brown in all shades; patched, ticked; ticking in the corresponding colour is permitted on limbs.

HEIGHT: Height at withers in dogs 55-63 cm, in bitches 53-61 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.

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