Landseer (ECT)

 A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential.  Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

UTILIZATION: Guard Dog, Companion

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

The Landseer should convey the impression of a tall, powerful and well balanced dog. The legs are comparatively longer than those of the black Newfoundland - especially in the male.

HEAD:

Scalp should be free from wrinkles, covered with short, fine hair. Head should be strikingly modelled, with noble expression.

CRANIAL REGION
Skull - Broad and massive with well developed occipital protuberance.
Stop - Decided, however not as pronounced and steep as in the Saint Bernard Dog.

FACIAL REGION
Nose - Black.
Muzzle - Length of muzzle is equal to depth of muzzle measured in front of the stop.
Lips - Clean, black; as tight as possible and no drivelling upper lip slightly overlapping the lower.
Cheeks - Moderately developed, gradually tapering into the muzzle.
Jaws/Teeth - Scissor bite.
Eyes - Medium size, moderately deep set, brown to dark brown, light brown to be tolerated, friendly expression, almond shaped, showing no haw. Pronouncedly light eyes (sulphur or greyish yellow) are faulty, as well as eyes set too close together.
Ears - Medium size. Reaching inner corner of eyes, when drawn out. Triangular shape, with slightly rounded tips. Set high on head, however not too far back. Carried close and flat to sides of head. Ears covered with short, fine hair. Fringes of longer hair to be found only at back part of root of ear. 

NECK:

The neck muscular and broad, should be not quite round but rather egg-shaped in cross section, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders. Length of neck from occiput to withers to be approximately ¾ to 4/5 the length from occiput to tip of nose. Pronounced dewlap undesirable.

BODY:

The length measured from withers to set on of tail should be about twice the length of the head. Wide and strong from withers to croup.
Back - Straight and level.
Loin - Muscular.
Croup - Broad, well rounded at sides and backwards by powerful bolster of muscles.
Chest - Between the very muscular shoulders the chest is deep and broad corresponding to well sprung ribs.
Belly - Slightly tucked up. Clearly visible flat depression between belly and loin. Weak or hollow back, weak loins, too short false ribs and too much tuck-up of the belly are faults.

TAIL:

Strong, reaching slightly below hocks at the most, well covered with dense, bushy hair, however not flaglike. Tail should hang downwards when standing or at ease, with a slight curve at end permissible. May carry tail straight out, with only a slight curve at end, when moving. Tails with a kink or curled over back are most objectionable. 

LIMBS
Forequarters:

General appearance: Strong muscles descending from shoulders and surrounding a well boned humerus are connected in correct angulation to the massive bones of the seen from front absolutely straight and muscular forelegs. Legs slightly fringed down to pastern.
Elbows - Close to body at the lowest point of brisket; distance from ground to elbows rather high; elbows pointing straight to the rear.

Hindquarters:

General appearance: The hindquarters are throughout very sturdy. Hindlegs to move freely; they should have strong bone embedded by powerful muscles. Hindlegs to be moderately fringed.
Upper Thighs - Especially broad.
Dewclaws - They are objectionable; they should be removed as soon as possible after birth. Cowhocks or insufficient angulation are faulty.
Feet - Large, well shaped cat feet. Splayed or turned out feet are objectionable. Toes connected by webbing, 
which should be strong, almost reaching tip of toes.

GAIT/MOVEMENT:

Movement of the well muscled legs should present a free, long stride, covering ground well.

COAT:
Hair - The top coat - with exception of the head - should be long and as straight and dense as possible, soft to the touch, with good undercoat, which is not as dense as in the black Newfoundland. Slightly wavy coat on back and hindquarters is not objectionable. When brushed wrong way it falls back into place naturally.
Colour - Main colour of coat is a clear white with distinct black patches on body and croup. Collar, forechest, belly, legs and tail must be white. Head black, with white muzzle and white symmetrical blaze - neither too narrow, nor too wide - extending from muzzle over head to the white collar, being considered a definite breeding goal. Ticking still occurring in the white not to be penalised but should be bred away.

SIZE
Height at shoulders:

Dogs: 72 to 80 cm (28,5 to 31,5 ins)
Bitches: 67 to 72 cm (26,5 to 28,5 ins)
Small deviations below or above to be tolerated.

FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

• Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
  
  
• NOTE
  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.