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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 
Powerful, medium size dog, slightly longer than high. Long-haired with weather resistant coat. Free from exaggeration. Noticeable difference between dogs and bitches.

Characteristics
Versatile, companion and working dog. Adaptable, devoted, self-confident, agile and resilient.

Temperament 
Kind and even temperament, loyal, self-assured, courageous, tolerant and composed, without nervousness or aggression.

Head and Skull 
Clean head with moderately broad skull. Length from occiput to stop equal to length from stop to nose. Width and length of skull approximately equal. Viewed in profile, foreface straight and parallel to skull. Stop moderate though clearly defined. Strong, deep muzzle, tapering slightly. Well developed nostrils.

Eyes 
Oval, medium sized. Dark to medium brown, toning with pigmentation. Alert and intelligent expression.

Ears
Triangular, with gently rounded tips and hanging loosely. Set medium to high, increasing apparent breadth of skull. Length reaching to the corner of the mouth, front edges positioned approximately midway between eye and occiput tip. Carried slightly forward when alert.

Mouth
Tight lips. Full dentition with scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Pincer bite tolerated.

Neck
Strong, medium length, no dewlap.

Forequarters 
Strong, well-muscled. Shoulders long and well laid-back. Upper arms long and lying close to the body, elbows fitting close to the chest. Forearms straight, viewed from any angle. Pasterns moderately sloping when viewed from the side.

Body
Well balanced. Slightly longer from point of shoulder to point of buttocks than height at withers. Strong topline, level from withers to croup. Slightly sloping croup of moderate length. Chest strong, deep and broad. Foreribs relatively flat, allowing elbows freedom of movement, but ribs increasingly well sprung from behind the elbows. Deep brisket. Strong loin. Moderate tuck up.

Hindquarters 
Wide, powerful and well muscled. Well angulated without exaggeration. Second thigh wide and very well muscled. Legs straight when viewed from behind. Hocks strong and well let down.

Feet
Roundish, strong, compact with well arched toes. Pads thick and strong.

Tail
Bushy, reaching below the hocks but not to ground. When standing, hangs down. Raised over the back when alert or moving.

Gait/Movement
Effortless, ground covering gait, straight and true. Good reach and drive.

Coat 
On the body the coat is long but not excessively so. Dense, straight or slightly waved and close lying, with sparse undercoat. Short on head and front of legs, longer on the chest, belly, the rear of forelegs, back of thighs and tail.

Colour 
Black: Deep, shining black without rustiness. A few white spots on chest and a few white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eye rims, lips and pads.

Blonde: Medium shade of blonde, shiny and becoming lighter towards the legs and belly. A few white spots on chest and a few white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eye rims, lips and pads. Snow nose acceptable.

Black/gold: Deep, shining black, without rustiness, with medium blonde markings clearly defined as follows:

1. A spot over each eye.
2. On cheeks.
3. As a strip around each side of muzzle but not on bridge of nose.
4. On throat.
5. Two clear patches on either side of breastbone which may be joined.
6. On forelegs the colour runs from toes to wrists with colour up the backs of the forearms extending to the elbows.
7. On the hindlegs the colour runs from toes to hocks extending up the inside of the legs, seen from the side as a narrow stripe up the front of the leg reaching to stifle and belly.
8. Under tail.

A few white spots on chest and a few white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eye rims, lips and pads.

Size
Height: dogs: 63-70 cms (25-271/2 ins); bitches: 58-65 cms (23-251/2 ins). Weight: dogs: 30-40 kgs (66-88 lbs); bitches: 25-35 kgs (55-77 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

HOVAWART CLUB OF GB. Sec: Ms L Whitmore. Tel No: 0115 984 1870

Date page created:

Categories:

Working Group 

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