^© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited

The Kennel Club Picture Library - © David Dalton

Interim

General Appearance
Large, sturdily built, well-balanced dog of power and nobility.

Characteristics
Bold, courageous and fearless. Protective of owners, good guard.

Temperament
Devoted, gentle and patient but suspicious of strangers.

Head and Skull
Long, medium width, skull slightly rounded, occiput broad and pronounced. Muzzle tapers slightly from base to nose but not too pointed at tip, ridge of nose straight, slight stop. Prominent eyebrows.

Eyes
Dark, brown, almond-shaped. Slightly slanted, set well apart. Eye rims black.

Ears
Set high on side of skull; V-shaped and rather thick, slightly rounded tips. Inner edge carried close to cheek.

Mouth
Roof of mouth slate grey; lips black.

Neck
Medium length, strong and muscular. Slightly arched; no dewlap.

Forequarters
Shoulders well muscled. Scapula and humerus of equal length; forelegs straight; pasterns long and slightly sloping.

Body
Pronounced sternum, ribs well sprung; deep brisket. Withers above the level of back. Back level and firm, good tuck up.

Hindquarters
Upper thigh of good length, stifles well angulated. Metatarsus short, strong and perpendicular to ground.

Feet
Tight, well arched. Forefeet round, thick pads. Hind feet longer than forefeet. Pads black. Nails slate grey or black. Dewclaws removed.

Tail
Low set in line with croup; tip to reach hock; when relaxed carried low, on the alert carried level with loin, tip slightly curved upwards.

Gait/Movement
Walk slow, dignified; at the trot, light rhythmic; at speed legs converge to a centre line often single tracking. Head carried low at speed.

Coat
Slight wavy. Double coated; top coat medium coarse; undercoat, fine and woolly. Shorter and smooth on head, muzzle, ears, front of fore and hind leg, below hocks and on feet. Mane on neck thick and long reaching down to brisket. Feathering on back of fore and hind legs 5-7.5 cms (2-3 ins). Medium length on body. Back of thighs and tail profusely coated, hair 10-15 cms (4-6 ins) long.

Colour
Pure White. Skin highly pigmented with patches of slate grey.

Size
Height: dogs: 71-75 cms (28-29½ ins); bitches: 66-70 cms (26-271/2 ins). Weight: dogs: 40-52 kgs (88-115 lbs); bitches: 30-42 kgs (66-93 lbs).

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.

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

Last Updated - September 2000

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

	Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.
	The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

THERE ARE NO CLUBS OR SOCIETIES AT PRESENT FOR THIS BREED.

Date:

Last updated on:

Categories:

Discover Dogs, Pastoral Group 

This article has been read 10272 times.