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

The Kennel Club Picture Library - © Jo Kelly

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

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 FOR THIS BREED AT PRESENT.

Date:

Last updated on:

Categories:

Discover Dogs, Working Group 

This article has been read 20101 times.