Tatra shepherd dog (Dog standard)

Tatra shepherd dog is a strong and compact build giving the impression of stamina and mobility.

FCI-Standard N°252 /14.07.1997 / GB

TATRA SHEPHERD DOG
(Polski Owczarek Podhalanski)


TRANSLATION : Brought up to date by Dr. Paschoud.

ORIGIN : Poland

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 08.06.1988

UTILIZATION : Herder and watchdog. Its imposing attitude and beautiful appearance make it a good companion dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Mountain-and Cattledogs).
Section 1 Sheepdogs.
Without working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Of strong and compact build giving the impression of stamina and mobility.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Rectangular in shape, the length of the BODY of males being a little shorter than that of bitches.

BEHAVIOUR /CHARACTER : Temperament calm, intelligent and alert.

HEAD : Lean, in good proportion to the BODY, carried at medium height both in MOVEMENT and standing.

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Seen in profile slightly rounded ; the frontal groove is shallow.
Stop : Distinctly marked, but without abrupt break.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black, of medium SIZE, with the nostrils wide open.
Muzzle : Strong, gradually tapering ; its length is slightly greater or equal to the length of the skull. The nasal bridge is broad.
Lips : Desirably taut and well fitting ; the edges of the lips should be dark.
Teeth : Strong, regularly set. Scissor bite, pincer bite accepted.
Eyes : Medium SIZE, expressive, set slightly slanting ; the iris is dark brown ; the eyelid rims are dark.
Ears : Set on at the height of the external angle of the eyes or a little higher, medium length, rather thick, triangular, well furnished with HAIR ; the front edge of the ear is in slight touch with the HEAD ; auricle mobile.

NECK : Of medium length, muscular, without any dewlap, with a profuse mane ; the upper line of the NECK is higher than the topline of the BODY.

BODY : Long and massive.
Withers : Distinctly marked, broad.
Back : Level, broad.
Loins : Broad , well coupled.
Croup : Oblique, slightly sloping.
Chest : Deep.
Ribs : Oblique, rather flat.
Belly : Slightly tucked up.

TAIL : Set on not too high, carried below the topline ; when excited carried above the topline, but not curved ; hanging, it reaches the hock ; the tip of the TAIL may be slightly curved.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs muscular, with plenty of bone, but not too heavy ; seen from front straight and parallel.
Shoulder-blade : Slightly sloping, well adapted to the BODY.
Pastern : Slightly sloping forward.
FEET : Compact, oval in shape like a relatively big fist. With HAIRs between the toes. Pads strong, hard and dark ; nails strong, blunt and dark.

HINDQUARTERS : Viewed from the rear hind legs vertical ; seen from the side slightly set backwards, moderately angulated.
Hock : Seen from the side vertical.
FEET : Like the foreFEET.

COAT

HAIR : On HEAD, muzzle, frontpart of forelegs and on the hindlegs from the hock downward the HAIR is short and dense. The NECK and the BODY are covered with long, thick, straight or slightly wavy HAIR, hard to the touch. UnderCOAT profuse. On the NECK a rich ruff ; the thighs are covered with profuse, long HAIR ; on the TAIL HAIR also profuse, forming a flag.

COLOUR : Uniformly white ; little cream COLOURed patches are undesirable.

HEIGHT :
Height at withers For males 65-70cm,
for bitches 60-65cm.

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.
Frontal furrow distinctly marked.
Poor pigmentation of nose, eyerims and lips.
Light eye ( called « bear eye »).
Entropion.
Ears set high, directed backwards or cropped.
NECK carried horizontal.
Croup overbuilt.
TAIL carried constantly above the topline.
Dewclaws.
Lack of HAIR between the toes.
Lack of ruff, lack of feathering on the legs.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :
Aggresive or overly shy.
Stop too shallow.
Pointed muzzle.
Several missing teeth.
Over-or undershot mouth.
Ectropion.
HAIR curly or silky.
Lack of underCOAT.
COAT with COLOURed patches.
Nervous character.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Source: FCI >>>