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FCI
Standard No. 16 / 28.11.2003 / GB |
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ORIGIN :
Great Britain.
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| DATE
OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 29.10.2003. |
| UTILIZATION :
Sheepdog.
CLASSIFICATION
FCI : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle
Dogs( except Swiss Cattle
Dogs).
Section 1 Sheepdogs.
Without working trial.
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GENERAL
APPEARANCE :
Strong, square-looking dog of great symmetry and
overall soundness. Absolutely free from legginess, profusely coated
all over. A thick-set muscular, able-bodied dog with a most
intelligent expression. The natural outline should not be
artificially changed by scissoring or clipping. Of great stamina,
exhibiting a gently rising topline,
and a pear-shaped body when viewed from above. The gait has a
typical roll when ambling or walking. Bark has a distinctive toned
quality. |
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IMPORTANT
PROPORTIONS : Muzzle measuring approximately half of the total
head length.
Dog standing lower at withers than loin. |
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| BEHAVIOUR
/ TEMPERAMENT : A biddable dog of even disposition.
Bold,
faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of nervousness or
unprovoked aggression. |
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| HEAD
: In proportion to the size of the body. |
CRANIAL
REGION :
Skull : Capacious, rather square. Well arched above eyes.
Stop : Well defined. |
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FACIAL
REGION :
Nose : Large and black. Nostrils wide.
Muzzle : Strong, square and truncated.
Jaws / teeth : Teeth strong, large and evenly placed.
Scissor bite. : jaws strong with a perfect, regular and
complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the
lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Pincer bite tolerated but
undesirable.
Eyes : Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes
acceptable. Light eyes undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rims
preferred.
Ears : Small and carried flat to side of head. |
| NECK
: Fairly long, strong, arched gracefully.
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BODY
: Rather short and compact. Dog standing lower at withers than loin.
Loin : Very sturdy, broad and gently arched.
Chest : Deep, capacious brisket. Ribs well-sprung.
TAIL
: Customarily docked or natural bobtail.
Docked : Customarily completely docked.
Undocked : Unobtrusive when standing. Low set. Never curled
or carried over back, with no kink evident. Well feathered with
abundant hard-textured coat.
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| LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS
: Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone, holding body
well from ground.
Shoulders : Should be well laid back, being narrower at
the point of withers than at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders
undesirable.
Elbows : Fitting close to brisket.
HINDQUARTERS
: Quarters well covered, round and muscular.
Stifle : Well turned.
Second thigh : Long and well developed.
Hocks : Set low. From the rear, the hocks should be
quite straight.
FEET
: Turning neither in nor out. Small, round and tight. Toes well
arched. Pads thick and hard. Dew claws should be removed.
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| GAIT/
MOVEMENT : When
walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from the rear.
When trotting, shows effortless extension and strong driving rear
action, with legs moving straight along line of travel. Very elastic
at the gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may tend to pace. When
moving, the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower position. |
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| COAT
HAIR :
Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and free
from curl. Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well covered
with hair, ears moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs well
coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of body.
Quality, texture and profusion to be considered above mere length.
COLOUR :
Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and hindquarters of solid
colour with or without white socks, White patches in the solid area
to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters and under belly to be
white or without markings. Any shade of brown undesirable.
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SIZE
:
Dogs 61 cm ( 24 inches) and upwards.
Bitches 56 cm ( 22 inches) and upwards.
Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be
sacrified to size alone.
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.
NB :
Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.
This
amended breed standard will become effective from April 2004
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