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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

Interim

General Appearance
Typical spitz dog with thick neck and broad chest, well boned legs of medium length. Majestic and powerful physique that is built for hard work, not speed.

Characteristics
Sled dog capable of surviving in extreme temperatures and pulling weights of 45-80 kgs (99-176lbs) per dog over 15-70 miles a day on snow, or carrying 15 kgs (33lbs) as pack dog in summer. Also used to locate game and hold it at bay.

Temperament
Reflects tough, hard working function. When mature, affectionate, enjoying attention. Pack orientated with extremely rapid response to outside stimulus.

Head and Skull
Large, well proportioned, broad and wedge shaped. Tapered muzzle of medium length. Females have much narrower skull than males.

Eyes
Never round or bulging. Widely spaced, obliquely set. Generally dark but hazel and yellow occur, depending on pigmentation. Never blue.

Ears
Short thick and triangular with slightly rounded tips. Carried erect, facing forwards, covered with dense short hair inside and out.

Mouth
Powerful heavy jaws with large teeth. Perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips close fitting.

Neck
Short, straight, thick and very muscular.

Forequarters
Broad shoulders, well laid back. Well muscled. Forelegs straight but well developed. Dew claws permitted.

Body
Should accentuate overall power and endurance. Deep, wide well-developed chest, moderately sprung ribs and well developed loin. Level back, well-muscled throughout. Only slight tuck up. Skin thick and tough.

Hindquarters
Not higher than withers. Good turn of stifle. Legs muscular with width of thigh continuing down towards hock. From behind, legs appear straight; hocks turning neither in nor out.

Feet
Large, almost round, well arched. Thick pads with hair between the toes.

Tail
Large, bushy, set moderately high, carried up or over the back. Mature bitches may carry tails down.

Gait/Movement
Powerful, brisk trot with rear legs moving in line with front legs. Males with heavily muscular thighs may appear to move wide behind.

Coat
Thick, dense undercoat with hard stiff guard hairs. Outer coat 8-15 cms (3-6 ins). In males, a mane over shoulders and neck giving appearance of greater height and bulk than actually exists. Females have shorter coat overall.

Colour
All colours and markings allowed including solid colours. Pigmentation from black to light brown depending on coat colour. Snow nose acceptable.

Size
dogs 58-70 cms (22-27½ ins), bitches 50-60 cms (19½-23½ ins).

Weight
dogs 30-40 kgs (66-88lbs), bitches 18-30 kgs (40-66 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 - July 2001

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are 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.

Breed Clubs and Societies

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

Date page created:

Categories:

Working Group 

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