THE CHARMING DANISH-SWEDISH FARMDOG
SIZE, PROPORTION, AND SUBSTANCE Height at the Withers: Males: 13.5-14.5 inches +/- 1 inch. Females: 12.5-14 inches +/- ½ inch. Proportion: The Farmdog should be slightly longer than tall. It must not give the impression of either long or short legs. The body should be slightly rectangu- lar, a proportion of 9:10. The proportions between depth of chest and height at withers should be 1:2. Substance: Farmdogs develop slowly. This should be considered during judging. The breed is not fully developed until the age of 3-4 years, in some cases even longer for males. FAULT: Elegant general appearance. Beautifully balanced with a powerful stride, the struc- ture commonly results in a natural “stack” when the dog comes to a stop. Gait is quick, steady, and agile, as though they could work all day and still be ready for rousing play. HEAD The Head should be triangular and a bit small in proportion to the body. The rather broad skull creates the basis and the head is gradually narrowing towards the muzzle, which is slightly shorter than the skull. Skull: Rather broad and slightly rounded. Stop: Well defined. Cheeks pronounced without exaggeration. Eyes: Medium-sized, slightly rounded, neither protruding nor sunken. Attentive and kind expression. Dark eye color in dogs with black patches. Slightly lighter eye color permissible in dogs with yellow, or liver /brown patches. Ears: Medium-sized. Rose or button, in both cases the fold should be just above the skull. It is not unusual to see a Farmdog with one of each. Button Ears: The tips should lie close to cheeks. FAULT: Prick ears. Muzzle: Well-developed and gradually narrowing towards the nose, but must not give a snipey impression. Muzzle slightly shorter than the skull. Nose bridge straight. Jaws: Strong. Nose: Color in accordance with the color of patches. Bite: Scissors bite with even and well-developed incisors. A level bite is acceptable. The head being slightly small in proportion to the body may aid in vermin hunting, as do the incredibly strong jaws. The ears frame the skull, accentuating the lovely bal- ance of the triangular shape. There is an intense, yet soft and appealing quality to their expression. NECK, BODY, AND TOPLINE Neck: Medium length, strong, and slightly arched. No throati- ness. FAULT: Neck too long. Body: Compact with good substance. The body is substantial due to the deep and roomy rib cage, which has a good spring of ribs. A fully developed, compact body cannot be expected until maturity, but it is important that the proportions are correct even in young dogs. Topline: Strong back, slightly arched short loin, slightly rounded croup. If the tail is set too high, the croup is too flat and this gives the impression of terrier-type. Loin: Short, broad, and slightly arched. Croup: Slightly rounded. Must not be flat. The slightly rounded croup must never be confused with a steep or sloping croup. An overly sloping croup does not facilitate the breed’s free movement. FAULT: Steep croup. Chest: Long, deep, and roomy with very well sprung ribs. Forechest well-defined. The front is slightly broader than the ribcage. The chest should reach to the elbow. FAULT: Lack of depth in the chest. Narrow in front. Ribs: Well sprung. The rib cage must be relatively wide compared to the size of the dog. FAULT: Flat or short rib cage. Underline/Tuck Up: Belly only slightly tucked up. The long rib cage and short loin make for an only slightly tucked up belly. Tail: Not too high tail set. Long tail or naturally bobtailed. It is never docked. The tail should be carried straight, with a slight curve, or like a sickle. The slightly rounded croup causes the tail not to be set too high. FAULT: Curled tail or tail carried flat on back.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2021 | 277
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