Dutch Shepherd
HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
Originally, the Dutch Shepherd's primary role was that of a herding dog in the countryside. From ancient times, he had a cultivable culture which was, among other things, taking care of the sheep herds. The dogs had to keep the herds away from the crops, so they patrolled the roadsides and fields. They also accompanied the herds on their way to common meadows, markets and ports. On the farm, they kept the chickens away from the garden, herded the cows for milking, and pulled the milk carts. They also alerted farmers if strangers entered the farm. Around 1900, sheep herding disappeared in most of the Netherlands. His versatile skills made him suitable for training, which began to become popular. Thus, he started a new career, as a police dog, searching and locating and also, as a guide dog for the blind. However, he is still capable of herding sheep.
Country of Origin: Netherlands
GENERAL APPEARANCE L : Dog of medium size and weight, well proportioned, well muscled with a powerful and well balanced frame. A very resistant dog, with a lively temperament and an intelligent expression. According to the type of coat, the breed is distinguished into the following varieties: short-haired, long-haired and hard-haired.
PRO IMPORTANT PORTIONS : The length of the body (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks) exceeds the height at the withers by approximately a 10:9 ratio, in short, like a trotting dog. The ratio of the length of the skull to the muzzle is 1:1.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT : Very loyal and secure, always alert, watchful, active, independent, persistent, intelligent, prepared to be obedient and with a true herding temperament. The Dutch Shepherd works willingly with its owner and independently handles any task entrusted to it. When herding larger herds, he has to have the ability to work together with several other dogs.
HEAD : In good proportion to the body. Viewed from above and in profile, it is wedge-shaped. Its shape is quite long, without wrinkles; with flat cheeks and no pronounced cheekbone. Because of the coat, in the rough coat variety, the head appears to be more square, but this is an illusion.
CRANIAL REGION
skull : Plan.
Stop : Slight but clearly present
FACIAL REGION
Truffle : Black
Muzzle : Slightly longer than the skull, which should be flat. The topline of the muzzle is straight and parallel to the topline of the skull.
lips : Adhesive and well pigmented.
Jaws and Teeth : Scissor bite; strong, regular and complete dentition.
eyes : Dark and of medium size. Almond-shaped and slightly oblique. They should not be too wide or protruding.
Ears : Medium in size. When the dog is alert, they are carried tall and erect.
NECK : It should not be too short, dry, without throatiness and gradually inserting itself into the body.
TRUNK
Top Lines : There is a smooth, gentle transition from the neck to the upper body line, in which the head and neck are carried into a natural posture.
Back: Straight and firm.
Loin : Firm, neither long nor narrow
Croup: Slightly sloping, not short.
chest : Deep and long enough without being narrow. Ribs slightly arched.
TAIL: At rest, it should be placed straight or with a slight curve. Reaching the hocks. In action, carried gracefully upwards, never curled or drooping to the sides.
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS : Powerful, good-looking, well-muscled. Bones are solid but not heavy. Generally straight, but with sufficient strength in the pasterns.
Shoulders : Well attached to the body and well inclined
arms : Length approximately equal to the scapulae and well angulated
Paws : ovals Well closed; arched fingers. Black fingernails and dark, elastic foot pads.
HINDQUARTERS : Powerful and well muscled. Bones solid but not heavy. No excessive angulation.
Hocks : Perpendicular below the tip of the ischium.
Paws :
ovals Well closed; arched fingers. Black fingernails and dark, elastic foot pads.
DRIVE : The Dutch Shepherd is a free-moving, smooth and flexible trotter, without exaggerated or long strides.
COAT
By :
•Short coat: All over the body there is a hard coat, not too short, with a woolly undercoat. Mane, breeches and feathered tail must be clearly visible.
• Longhair: All over the body there is a long, straight, well-fallen hair, rough to the touch, without being curly or wavy and with a woolly undercoat. Distinctive mane and breeches. The tail is abundantly covered. Head, ears, feet and also the parts below the hocks should be covered with short, dense hair. The posterior part of the forelimbs shows strongly developed hairs, which become shorter towards the feet, called plumes. No fringes on the ears.
• Hardhair: Dense, rough and shaggy and woolly; Dense undercoat all over the body, except on the head. The hair must be close. The upper and lower lips must be well covered with hair, the beard and mustache, both well defined; rough hair on the eyebrows, which should be distinct but not exaggerated. The hairs are not soft. The hair on the skull and cheeks is less developed. Viewed in profile, the head has a more square appearance. Strongly developed breeches are desirable. The tail is abundantly covered with hair. The brindle color may be less pronounced because of the shaggy coat. The coat, in the hardhaired variety, should be plucked by hand, on average, twice a year.
COLOR:
brindle. The base color is gold or silver. Gold can range from light sand to reddish brown. The brindle is clearly present throughout the body, mane, breeches and tail. Too much black is undesirable. A black mask is preferable. Heavy white markings on the chest or paws are not desirable.
SIZE : Males: 57 cm to 62 cm
Females: 55cm to 60cm
FAULTS
Any deviation from the terms of this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog. and its effects on the health and well-being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Loss of breed characteristics.
GRADES
• Males must have both testicles, of normal appearance, well let down and accommodated in the scrotum.
• Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with typical breed conformation should be used for breeding.