 |
|||
 |
FCI-Standard No. 313 / 14-04-1999 / GB DUTCH SCHAPENDOES Translation: Mrs. Chris Seidler Netherlands. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD 26.03.1992. 26-03-1992 UTILIZATION The Nederlandse Schapendoes is a herding dog which was used for herding flocks of sheep and which is still used in the same capacity today. As pasture for sheep is situated mainly in quiet, lonely areas of the country, it is necessary for the Schapendoes to be equipped with great endurance, mobility and speed. A great facility for jumping is essential, as well as intelligence and the ability to act on his own. He has to be a true herding dog in character, body and soul.  CLASSIFICATION
F.C.l.Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle-dogs (except Swiss cattle-dogs). Section 1: Sheepdogs. Without working trial. BRIEF NISTORICAL SUMMARY At the end of the last and beginning of this century, the Nederlandse Schapendoes occurred everywhere in the region of the Netherlands where there was heathland and where there were herds or flocks of sheep. The shepherds valued him for the tireless pleasure he took in his work and for his intelligence. He belongs to the wide-ranging group of longhaired herding breeds which have densely coated heads. He is related to the Bearded Collie, the Puli, the Owczarek Nizinny, the Bobtail, the Briard, the Bergamasker and the German Schafpudel of the variety which occurs in Hessen, Odenwald and the Niederrhein district. All these similar dogs are smaller mutations of mountain dogs. The canine authority, P.M.C. Toepoel, is the founder of this breed. During the Second World War, he knew how to rouse interest in the breed. During the years from 1940 to 1945 specimen of the almost vanished Schapendoes were used for breeding from wherever they could be found. The Breed Club for Nederlandse Schapendoes was founded in the year 1947 and in 1952 the breed was provisionally recognised by the Raad van Beheer. In 1954 the standard was set up and a Studbook started. Definite recognition followed in the year 1971. Since then only registered dogs have been bred from. GENERAL APPEARANCE The Nederlandse Schapendoes is a lightly built, long coated dog with a height at whithers of 40 to 50 cm. His movement is effortless and springy. He is a remarkable jumper. BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT The Schapendoes is a normally and harmonically constructed herding dog with an attentive and courageous character. He is intelligent, watchful, jolly, lively, friendly and high spirited. Towards people familiar to him, he develops great affection and loyalty. HEAD The abundant growth of hair gives the head the appearance of looking bigger and, in particular, broader. CRANIAL REGION Skull: Almost flat with a moderate frontal furrow and strongly defined superciliary arches. It is fairly broad in proportion to its length: the width is slightly greater than the distance between the stop and the occiput. Stop: Clearly defined but not steep. FACIAL REGION NECK The head is carried high on a strong, clean neck. BODY The Schapendoes is slightly longer than high. The skeleton is fine boned, pliable and elastic. Lower line and Belly: Not too tucked up. TAIL The tail is long, well coated and feathered. The manner and way in which the dog carries his tail is characteristic of the breed. In repose it hangs downwards. When trotting, the tail is carried fairly high and swings slightly curved from one side to the other. When galloping, it is stretched out straight. When jumping, the tail definitely serves as a rudder. When the dog is alert, the tail may sometimes be raised high. lt should, however, never be carried stiffly over the back. LIMBS Hindquarters: FEET GAIT/MOVEMENT In his work, the Schapendoes gallops rather than trots, so his movement must be light footed and springy without excessive use of energy. He must be able to jump well and turn swiftly. COAT SIZE Height at withers: 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. DISQUALIFYING FAULTS No Schapendoes which behaves nervously and - or - aggressively in the ring will be placed or classified. N.B. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
||