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 on the shoulder is ideally:
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 eyerims 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
backskull and muzzle are of approximately equal length. The
backskull 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.
Coat
Topcoat is dense,
approximately 1-1/4 to 2 inches in length. Undercoat must be
present and may be thick and sometimes showing, almost
always present at neck but may be present throughout. Color
of undercoat ranges from the preferred dark gray to light
gray to tawny. Total absence of undercoat is undesirable and
should be penalized.
Color
The topcoat is
black. The markings are rich rust and white. Symmetry of
markings is desired. On the head, rust typically appears
over each eye, on each cheek and on the underside of the
ears. On the body, rust appears on both sides of the
forechest, on all four legs and underneath the tail. White
markings appear typically on the head (blaze) and muzzle.
The blaze may vary in length and width. It may be a very
thin stripe or wider band. The blaze may extend just barely
to the stop or may extend over the top of the skull and may
meet with white patch or collar on the neck. Typically,
white appears on the chest , running unbroken from the
throat to the chest, as well as on all four feet and on the
tip of the tail. White patches or collar on the neck is
acceptable. 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" is considered a
disqualification. When evaluating the Greater Swiss Mountain
Dog, markings and other cosmetic factors should be
considered of lesser importance than other aspects of type
which directly affect working ability.
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.
Information Provided
By
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of
America
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