A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour 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 Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
Brief Historical Summary
A shepherding breed used for herding large livestock and flushing wild boar. Excellent guard and companion dog. Developed in 18th to 19th century from Hungarian herding dogs and various prick-eared German herding dogs.
General appearance
Medium-sized. Wedge-shaped head with erect ears. Topline slopes slightly towards rear. Head and front of limbs covered by short, smooth coat. Other parts of body have longer, very wavy to slightly curly coat. The breed comes in various colours. Important Proportions Length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttock, very slightly greater than height at withers. Depth of chest 40-45% of height at withers. Length of skull to length of muzzle in the ratio of 3:2.
Temperament
Intelligent, lively, courageous, watchful, and keen to work. Active and adaptable. Aggressive or overly shy behaviour unacceptable.
Head and skull
Head properties of utmost importance. Gives impression of an alert, always ready to work, intelligent animal without any trace of shyness or aggressiveness. Head wedge-shaped, tapering evenly towards nose. Skull and forehead slightly domed. Superciliary ridges slightly developed. Minimal stop. Muzzle moderately strong. Bridge of nose straight. Nose narrow, rounded at front with moderately wide nostrils. Occiput not pronounced. Nose colour generally black, except for brown and merle where nose colour brown; and blue and blue merle where nose colour blue. Fawn and white: black nose preferable but blue and brown acceptable. Spotted or flesh-coloured nose leather highly undesirable.
Eyes
Almond shape, set slightly oblique. As dark as possible. In merle colours, partially or solid blue eye colour (in either or both eyes) permissible. Yellow eyes in black dogs highly undesirable. Eyelids tight, close-fitting to eyeball, evenly pigmented.
Ears
V-shaped, set on high and held erect. Slightly longer than width at base. In length, slightly less than half length of head. Covered with abundant hair reaching beyond edges of external ears. Ears can turn independently of each other with very lively response to stimulation. Drop ears highly undesirable.
Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Medium size teeth. Lips tight-fitting to teeth. Lip pigment corresponds with pigment of noseleather.
Neck
Medium length, slightly arched, well-muscled. Set on slightly high. No dewlap or pronounced neck ruff. Male dogs may have a barely developed mane; this should never be prominent.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately sloping, well-muscled. Withers pronounced. Upper arm of medium length. Forechest curved, not prominent. Elbows close fitting to body. Wrist firm, dry and tight. Pastern steep.
Body
Slightly longer in body than height at withers. Back straight, medium length with topline slightly sloping to croup. Loin short and firmly coupled. Croup short, medium breadth, slightly sloping and muscular. Ribbing broad and rather flat. Depth of chest less than half of height at withers, and reaching to elbow. Underline rises to slightly tucked-up belly.
Hindquarters
Moderate hind angulation. Upper thigh long and well-muscled. Low set hocks.
Feet
Feet round, with well-knit toes. Pads springy. Nails slate grey and hard. Minimal hair between and under toes.
Tail
Any length, from naturally tailless to full tail. Set on medium height. Abundantly coated. In repose, hanging, with lower third raised almost to horizontal. When alert and during active movement, tail carried in sickle shape, above the topline.
Gait/movement
Characteristic movement: Mincing steps, with vigorous trot and powerful gallop.
Coat
On body, coat uniformly very wavy or slightly curly. Dense and always shiny, Never wiry. Length 3 - 7 cms (1¼ - 2¾ ins). Some cowlicks and ridges are formed. Head and front of legs covered by short, straight, smooth hair. Coat longest on back of forelimbs, upper thighs and underside of tail, giving pronounced featherings. Skin tight, without wrinkles.
Colour
Black, white, fawn (from beige to red), blue, brown, blue-brown (diluted brown/Isabella), merle in these colours. White markings, including small patch on chest (less than 5 cms / 2 ins) or some white on toes tolerated.
Any other colour or combination of colours unacceptable.
Size
Height at withers: Males: 43 - 45 cms (17 - 17¾ ins).
Females: 40 - 42 cms (15¾ - 16½ ins). 2 cms variation either side tolerated.
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.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.