Samborra hovawart kennel

FCI-Standard N° 190 / 25. 09. 1998 / GB:

TRANSLATION:

Mrs. R. Binder-Gresly

ORIGIN:

Germany

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD :

12.01.1998y

UTILIZATION:

Working Dog

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.

Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds- Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and other breeds

Section 2.2 - Molossoid breeds, Mountain type

With working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:

The Hovawart is a very old German working dog breed. The name's origin stems from Middle High German (an old form of German); Hova = Hof (= yard, farm) and wart = Wächter (= watchman). Since 1922 the breeding of this breed, by using dogs similar in type still found on farms, has been restored. Apart from this, in the early years of breeding, crosses with German Shepherd Dogs, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers and other breeds were admitted. Due to the strict measurements taken in selecting the breeding stock, the original working type was attained again.
In the country of origin very great importance is attached to the health of the Hovawart. Especially the presence of hip dysplasia has been reduced to a small percentage by selecting, for decades, breeding stock free from dysplasia. It is to be expected that all other Hovawart breed clubs will aim for this exemplary goal.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Hovawart is a powerful, medium size, slightly elongated, long-haired working dog. Difference between sexes is clearly recognizable, specially in shape of head and build of body.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS

Length of body comprises at least 110 to 115 % of height at withers.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT

Recognized working dog with versatile usage. Kind and even disposition. Has protective instinct, fighting instinct, self-confidence and ability to take stress; of medium temperament; combined with a very good nose. His balanced body proportions and special devotion to his family make him an outstanding companion, watch, guard, tracking and rescue-dog.

HEAD

The nasal bridge is straight and parallel to the skull. Muzzle and skull are of about the same length. The skin of the head fits tightly.

CRANIAL REGION:

Skull

The powerful head has a broad, rounded forehead

Stop

Well visible

FACIAL REGION:

Nose

Nostrils well developed. In black/gold and black dogs pigmentation is black; in blond dogs it is black; " snow nose " (temporary loss of pigmentation) accepted.

Jaws/Teeth

Strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula. Teeth set square to the jaws. Pincer bite accepted.

Eyes

Oval, neither protruding nor deep set. Colour : dark to medium brown. Eyelids fit tightly.

Ears

The loosely fitting triangular drop ears are set on high and wide apart, thus giving the optical illusion of broadening the skull. They reach in length to the corners of the mouth (labial commisure). Their tip is slightly rounded. When the dog is at ease they are kept hanging flat, when alert they may be carried directed slightly forward. Their front edge lies approximately halfway between eye and occiput.

Lips

Fit tightly.

Muzzle

Strong, tapering only slightly when seen from above and in profile.

NECK

Strong, of medium length. Skin tightly fitting.

BODY

Back

Straight and firm.

Loin

Strong, slightly longer than rump.

Croup

Medium long and slightly sloping.

Chest

Broad, deep and strong.

TAIL

Bushy, reaching to below the hocks, but not to the ground. According to the dog's mood it is carried high and curved over the back or hanging down.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS

Forelegs strong, straight and vertical, seen from the front and side.

Shoulders

Very well muscled. Shoulder-blade long and well laid back.

Upper arm

Long, closely fitting to body.

Elbows

Fitting well to chest.

Pastern joint

Strong.

Pastern

Moderately sloping.

HINDQUARTERS

Hindlegs strong and vertical when seen from behind. Hindquarters are well angulated.

Upper and lower thigh

Very well muscled.

Hock joint

Strong, well let down.

FEET

Roundish, strong and compact. Toes arched and tight. Dewclaws to be removed except in those countries where this is prohibited by law. Nails with black pigmentation in black/gold and black dogs; in blond dogs there may be less pigmentation.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is on a straight line and covering the ground well. The trot is very extended, with powerful drive from the hindquarters.

SKIN

Tightly fitting all over. With a bluish sheen in black/gold and black dogs, with a mostly pink sheen in blond dogs.

COAT

HAIR

The strong long-haired coat is lightly waved and lying close, with only little undercoat. It is longer on chest, belly, rearside of forelegs, rearside of thighs and tail. It is short on head and at the front side of the fore- and hindlegs. The coat is dense.

COLOUR

There are 3 colour varieties : black/gold, black, blond.

Black/gold

The coat is black and shiny, the colour of the markings medium blond. On the head the markings begin below the nasal bridge and extend round the corners of the mouth into the marking of the throat. The point-shaped markings above the eyes are clearly visible. The chest markings consist of two adjacent patches which may be connected. On the forelegs, the marking, seen from the side, extends from the toes to about the pastern and tapers off on the rearside at about elbow level. On the hindlegs, seen from the side, the marking below the hock is seen as a broad stripe, above the hock only as a narrow stripe which extends on the front side of the hindleg up to the level of the belly. A marking is also present beneath the set on of the tail. The markings are distinct in outline everywhere. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.

Black

The coat is black and shiny. Some single white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.

Blond

The coat is medium blond, shiny and becomes lighter towards legs and belly. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.

SIZE

Height at the withers:

For dogs: 63 - 70 cm.
For bitches: 58 - 65 cm.

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.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Dogs which do not conform to the impression of original breed type.
Distinctly « doggy » bitches.
Distinctly « bitchy » dogs.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS

Distinctly differing body proportions than those quoted in the standard.

BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT

Aggressive, anxious, gunshy or lethargic dogs./li>

HEAD

Lacking stop.
Blue eye or wall eye
Erect, tipped ears, rose ear; off-standing ears.
Undershot, overshot or wry mouth.
Absence of more than 2 of the 4 PM1 or the 2 M3, or absence of any other tooth.

NECK

Distinct dewlap or very throaty.

BODY

Pronounced sway or roach back.
Narrow or barrel shaped chest.
Abnormal tail; tail much too short; pronounced ring tail.

LIMBS

Much too high in hindquarters (overbuilt).

COAT

HAIR

Predominantly curly coat (ring curls).

COLOUR

In general:

All colours not conforming to the standard, e.g. blue-grey, deer colour, brown, white, patched, blond with smutty touch or predominantly banded hair.
White patches. Single white hairs on the inside of the upper thighs are not a disqualifying fault.

Black/Gold dogs

Grey or brown patches other than the correct markings.
Undercoat predominantly of another colour than black.
Predominantly grey or whitish markings.

Black dogs

Grey or brown patches.
Undercoat predominantly of another colour than black.

Blond dogs

Some single white hairs on the nasal bridge are not a disqualifying fault.
Red-blond colour throughout without getting lighter.
Whitish-blond colour, also on ears.
Distinctly white markings.
Dark patches or dark mask.

Size

Undersize.
Oversize by more than 3 cm.