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

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
Powerful body and heavy coat, striking appearance. Marked contrast in size between dogs and bitches.

Characteristics
A working sledge dog, primarily assessed for freighting capacity in Arctic conditions, adaptable, distinctly independent, alert and bold. Bitches more amenable.

Temperament
Sound, dignified, intelligent, good-natured, affectionate.

Head and Skull
Head well proportioned, broad and wedge-shaped with moderate stop. Skull strong and flat; powerful jaws. Nose and lips black or brown. Muzzle medium length, gently tapering to nose.

Eyes
Dark brown or tawny. Placed slightly obliquely, neither prominent nor too deep set. Expression alert and fearless.

Ears
Short and firm, well set apart. Carried shapely erect and facing forward. Internally protected by fur.

Mouth
Teeth large, strong and uncrowded. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw.

Neck
Rather short, heavy and muscular, with loose skin.

Forequarters
Shoulders broad, big boned and muscular. Forelegs perfectly straight and vertical in stance, powerful and heavy-boned.

Body
Chest deep and broad with well sprung ribs. Body strong and well muscled, with level back, presenting a well balanced and compact appearance. Length of body slightly greater than height at shoulder.

Hindquarters
Thighs broad, strong and heavily muscled. Stifles well bent, hocks well let down. Heavy bone. Legs straight when viewed from rear.

Feet
Rather large and strong, with strong nails. Thick pads with protective growth of fur between toes.

Tail
Large and bushy. Set high, curled loosely over back and falling either side.

Gait/Movement
Strong drive, limbs moving parallel, back held level.

Coat
Thick double coat consisting of an impenetrable undercoat 2.5-5 cms (1-2 ins) long, uniform over body, with well protruding outer coat of coarser longer hair, which is quite straight. Outer coat at its longest on neck and withers, breeches and underside of tail. Underbelly also well covered. Hair on head and legs rather short.

Colour
All known dog colours, or combinations of these colours.

Size
Height: dogs: 58-68 cms (23-27 ins) at shoulder; bitches: 51-61 cms (20-24 ins) at shoulder. Weight: dogs: 34-47.5 kgs (75-105 lbs), bitches: 27-41 kgs (60-90 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 - January 2009

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

GREENLAND DOG CLUB OF GB. Sec. Mr S Winterton. Tel No: 01406 331244 

Date page created:

Categories:

Working Group 

This article has been read 21557 times.