Hovawart

Length of body comprises at least 110 to 115 % of height at withers.

The nasal bridge is straight and parallel to the skull. Muzzle and skull are of about the same length. The skin of the head fits tightly. CRANIAL REGION : Skull : The powerful head has a broad, rounded forehead. Stop : Well visible . FACIAL REGION : Nose : Nostrils well developed. In black/gold and black dogs pigmentation is black; in blond dogs it is black; snow nose (temporary loss of pigmentation) accepted. Muzzle : Strong, tapering only slightly when seen from above and in profile. Lips : Fit tightly. Jaws/Teeth : Strong complete scissor bite with 42 teeth according to tooth formula. Teeth set square to the jaws. Pincer bite accepted. Eyes : Oval, neither protruding nor deep set. Colour : dark to medium brown. Eyelids fit tightly. Ears : The loosely fitting triangular drop ears are set on high and wide apart, thus giving the optical illusion of broadening the skull. They reach in length to the corners of the mouth (labial commisure). Their tip is slightly rounded. When the dog is at ease they are kep hanging flat, when alert they may be carried directed slightly forward. Their front edge lies approximately halfway between eye and occiput.

NECK: Strong, of medium length. Skin tightly fitting. BODY : Back : Straight and firm. Loin : Strong, slightly longer than rump. Croup : Medium long and slightly sloping. Chest : Broad, deep and strong.

Bushy, reaching to below the hocks, but not to the ground. According to the dog’s mood it is carried high and curved over the back or hanging down.

General appearance : Forelegs strong, straight and vertical, seen from the front and side. Shoulders : Very well muscled. Shoulder-blade long and well laid back. Upper arm : Long, closely fitting to body. Elbows : Fitting well to chest. Pastern joint : Strong. Pastern : Moderately sloping.

General appearance : Hindlegs strong and vertical when seen from behind. Hindquarters are well angulated. Upper and lower thigh : Very well muscled. Hock joint : Strong, well let down.

Roundish, strong and compact. Toes arched and tight. Dewclaws to be removed except in those countries where this is prohibited by law. Nails with black pigmentation in black/gold and black dogs; in blond dogs there may be less pigmentation.

In all gaits the movement of the Hovawart is on a straight line and covering the ground well. The trot is very extended, with powerful drive from the hindquarters.

The strong long-haired coat is lightly waved and lying close, with only little undercoat. It is longer on chest, belly, rearside of forelegs, rearside of thighs and tail. It is short on head and at the front side of the fore- and hindlegs. The coat is dense.

There are 3 colour varieties : black/gold, black, blond. Black/gold : The coat is black and shiny, the colour of the markings medium blond. On the head the markings begin below the nasal bridge and extend round the corners of the mouth into the marking of the throat. The point-shaped markings above the eyes are clearly visible. The chest markings consist of two adjacent patches which may be connected. On the forelegs, the marking, seen from the side, extends from the toes to about the pastern and tapers off on the rearside at about elbow level. On the hindlegs, seen from the side, the marking below the hock is seen as a broad stripe, above the hock only as a narrow stripe which extends on the front side of the hindleg up to the level of the belly. A marking is also present beneath the set on of the tail. The markings are distinct in outline everywhere. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads. Black : The coat is black and shiny. Some single white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads. Blond : The coat is medium blond, shiny and becomes lighter towards legs and belly. Single small white spots on the chest as well as some single white hairs on toes and tip of tail are permissible. Black pigmentation on eyelids, lips and pads.

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.