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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. Dewclaws should be removed.

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 - 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

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

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