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Norwegian Elkhound Black

Posted in Hound Group

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:

Hound for elk-hunting.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

A typical spitz, squarely built, black hair lying rather close to the body, erect pointed ears, tail curled over the back. Proud rise of neck, muscular and athletic.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:

Height of withers = length of body. Length of muzzle = length of skull.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT:

Fearless, energetic and brave.

HEAD:

Wedge-shaped, tapering to nose. Clean and rather light, comparatively broad between ears.

CRANIAL REGION:

Skull: Nearly flat.

Stop: Distinct, but not abrupt.

FACIAL REGION:

Nose: Black.

Muzzle: Bridge of the nose straight.

Lips: Tightly closed.

Jaws/Teeth: Scissor bite. Complete dentition.

Eyes: Not protruding. Preferably dark brown.

Ears: Set on high, pricked, height slightly greater than width at the base, pointed.

NECK: Of medium length, firm, without loose skin.

BODY:

Topline: Straight from the withers to the croup.

Withers: Well developed.

Back: Straight and strong.

Loin: Well developed, broad and straight.

Croup: Broad, well muscled.

Chest: Relatively deep, with good spring of ribs.

Belly: Slightly tucked up.

TAIL:

Set on high. Short, thick, with thick and close coat, but not with a flag. Tightly curled over the back, but not carried on either side.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS :

General appearance: Firm, sinewy and strong, but not heavy.

Shoulders: Sloping.

Upper arm: Moderately sloping.

Elbow: Well set, turned neither in nor out.

Forearm: Straight.

Pastern: Moderately sloping seen from the side.

Forefeet: Rather small, somewhat oval, compact and not turned outwards.

HINDQUARTERS :

General   appearance:  Moderately angulated in stifle and hock.

Parallel seen from behind. Dewclaws not desired.

Upper thigh: Muscular and broad.

Stifle: Moderately angulated.

Lower thigh: Of medium length.

Hock joint: Moderately angulated.

Hock: Moderately sloping seen from the side, parallel seen from behind.

Hind feet: Rather small, somewhat oval, compact.

GAIT / MOVEMENT:

Light and effortless. Parallel seen both from the front and behind.

COAT

HAIR: Dense and rough, but lying close to the body. On head and front of legs short and smooth; longer on chest and neck, back of legs and the underside of tail. The coat is composed of a longish and coarse topcoat and a soft, woolly and black undercoat.

COLOUR: Shining black. A little white on chest and feet may be tolerated.

SIZE :
Height at withers      Males 46-49 cm. Ideal height 4 cm.
    Females 43-46 cm. Ideal height 44cm.

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

  • Pincer bite, irregular bite.
  • Lacking undercoat.
  • White hairs, white on the tail.
  • White socks.
  • Stressed, nervous, barking.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

  • Naturally short tail.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

  • Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
  • Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
  • Bite over- or undershot.
  • Height at withers under 3 or above 4 cm from the ideal height.

N.B.:

  • 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.