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hair becomes somewhat longer on the sides of the head, blending into a modest ruff. The hair on the body is fine and soft, attaining a maximum length of no more than 3 inches for the ruff and culottes, 2 inches along the back. The fronts of the legs are covered with short, fine hairs; there is often some furnishing on the elbows and thighs. Faults - Excessively long coat, excessive furnishings. Too much hair on the head, especially if the hair veils the eyes or displays a pronounced moustache or beard. No ribbon shall be awarded to a dog whose coat has been scissored, especially on the face, except for neatening of the feet . Color: Various shades of fawn from tan to copper, with or without a mixture of black hairs; grey, ranging from charcoal to silver to pearl grey; merles of diverse tones; brindle; black; black with white markings not exceeding 30 percent of the body surface. A little white is acceptable on the chest, head, and feet. Faults - Too many white patches or white patches that are too big; black with tan points. Disqualifications - White coat color covering 50 percent or more of the body. Gait: The trot - our little shepherd's favorite gait - must be solid and vigorous. At the jog trot, the head is carried rather high. As the stride lengthens the head lowers to become level with the backline. It is a very flowing gait. The feet barely leave the ground. He "shaves the earth." The correct gait is very pleasant to the eye. It is a result of the harmony of the front and rear angulations. As speed increases, the legs converge under the body toward the centerline. Temperament: The Pyrenean Shepherd is not merely a header or a drover. Such a division of labor is unknown to him. He is a versatile herder to his very soul and has the intelligent initiative to adapt to all manner of changing circumstances in order to fulfill the human shepherd's every need with unequalable prowess. The powerful herding instinct is so strong in him that from the very youngest age he knows how to manage the flock even without the example of an older dog. He is dominated by his love for his work. He has the tendency to become passionately attached to his owner to the complete exclusion of all others and is astonishingly sensitive to his owner's moods. As a companion, he is very active and enthusiastic and insists upon being involved in the day's activities whatever they may be. He is very affectionate with the members of his immediate family, but is distrustful of strangers. Disqualifications : Individuals under the minimum height - Rough-Faced: males - under 15½ inches at the withers, females - under 15 inches at the withers. Smooth-Faced: males - under 15½ inches at the withers, females - under 15½ inches at the withers. Individuals exceeding the maximum height by more than ½ inch. Rough-Faced: males - more than ½ inch above 18½ inches at the withers, females - more than ½ inch above 18 inches at the withers. Smooth-Faced: males - more than ½ inch above 21 inches at the withers, females - more than ½ inch above 20½ inches at the withers. Missing pigment on eye rims. Blue eyes in an individual of coat color other than merle. Nose other than black. Overshot or undershot bite. White coat color covering 50 percent or more of the body.
Approved April 11, 2006 Effective January 1, 2007
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