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Greater
Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Standard
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General Appearance
The
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a Draft and Drover
breed and should structurally appear as such. It
is a striking, tri-colored, large, powerful, confident
dog of sturdy appearance. It is a heavy boned and
well muscled dog which, in spite of its size and
weight, is agile enough to perform the all-purpose
farm duties of the mountainous regions of its origin.
Size, Proportion and
Substance
Height
at the highest point of the shoulder is ideally:
Dogs: 25.5 to 28.5 inches. Bitches 23.5 to 27 inches.
Body length to height is approximately a 10 to 9
proportion, thus appearing slightly longer than
tall. It is a heavy boned and well muscled dog of
sturdy appearance.
Head
Expression is
animated and gentle. The eyes are almond shaped
and brown, dark brown preferred, medium sized, neither
deep set nor protruding. Blue eye or eyes is a disqualification.
Eyelids are close fitting and eye rims are black.
The ears are medium sized, set high, triangular
in shape, gently rounded at the tip, and hang close
to the head when in repose. When alert, the ears
are brought forward and raised at the base. The
top of the ear is level with the top of the skull.
The skull is flat and broad with a slight stop.
The back skull and muzzle are of approximately equal
length. The back skull is approximately twice the
width of the muzzle. The muzzle is large, blunt
and straight, not pointed and most often with a
slight rise before the end. In adult dogs the nose
leather is always black. The lips are clean and
as a dry-mouthed breed, flews are only slightly
developed. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck is of
moderate length, strong, muscular and clean. The
topline is level from the withers to the croup.
The chest is deep and broad with a slight protruding
breastbone. The ribs are well-sprung. Depth of chest
is approximately one half the total height of the
dog at the withers. Body is full with slight tuck
up. The loins are broad and strong. The croup is
long, broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion.
The tail is thick from root to tip, tapering slightly
at the tip, reaching to the hocks, and carried down
in repose. When alert and in movement, the tail
may be carried higher and slightly curved upwards,
but should not curl, or tilt over the back. The
bones of the tail should feel straight.
Forequarters
The shoulders
are long, sloping, strong and moderately laid back.
They are flat and well-muscled. Forelegs are straight
and strong. The pasterns slope very slightly, but
are not weak. Feet are round and compact with well
arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. The dewclaws
may or may not be present.
Hindquarters
The thighs are
broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately
bent and taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks
are well let down and straight when viewed from
the rear. Feet are round and compact with well arched
toes, and turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should
be removed.
Gait
Good reach in
front, powerful drive in rear. Movement with a level
back.
Temperament
Bold, faithful,
willing worker. Alert and vigilant. Shyness or aggressiveness
shall be severely penalized.
Summary
The foregoing
is the description of the ideal Greater Swiss Mountain
Dog. Defects of both structure and temperament are
to be judged more severely than mere lack of elegance
because they reduce the animal's capacity to work.
Any fault that detracts from the above described
working dog should be penalized to the extent of
the deviation.
Disqualifications
Any color other
than the "Black, Red and White" tri-colored
dog described above, such as "Blue/Charcoal,
Red and White" or "Red and White."
Blue eye or eyes.
Approved: April 8, 2003
Effective: May 29, 2003
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Dog shows, or "conformation" events, are
the signature events of the AKC. They concentrate
on the distinctive features of purebred dogs and
help to preserve these characteristics by providing
a forum at which to evaluate breeding stock.
Dogs are judged against
individual breed standards, which have been established
for the AKC-recognized breeds by their parent clubs.
These written standards describe the ideal size,
color, and temperament of each breed, as well as
correct proportion, structure, and movement.
Links:
AKC
Conformation
Greater
Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America
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