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Dunker

Interim

The Dunker is a confident dog with high intelligence. It makes a good watchdog in addition to being an invaluable scent hound, in fact the Dunker is one of the most popular scent hounds in Norway today. The Dunker has been in existence for centuries. An affable companion the Dunker has delighted people in Norway for generations. he dunker is a medium to large size dog, weighing an average of 30 to 50 pounds. His height varies anywhere from 18.5 to 21 inches. Some males may even grow to 22 inches in height. Their short, thick, straight coat is seen in two varieties. The first is harlequin (merle), a marbled blue color, or the more common tan with a large black or blue marbled saddle. Those with the saddle marking will also have small splashes of symmetrical white or pale fawn markings. He is a powerful canine breed bred for endurance. Originating in Norway in the 1820's, the Dunker was named after the person who originally created this wonderful breed. This breed is also known as the Norwegian Hound. To develop this breed, able to hunt rabbit by scent instead of sight, the Norwegian breeder W. Dunker is believed to have crossed a Russian Harlequin Hound with various keen-nosed hounds. The Norwegian Hound is popular in Scandinavia.

General Appearance Medium sized, powerfully built, but should not appear heavy. Should convey the impression of endurance. Well angulated fore- and hindquarters, making the dog stand true and balanced all round.

HEAD Head not to be carried highly. Clean and noble with good length and parallel planes, not wedge shaped. Provided the muzzle is long and well developed, a somewhat powerful skull is permissible, in males in particular, if the head does not loose its parallel planes.

CRANIAL REGION Skull * Slightly domed, prominent occiput.
Stop * Defined, but not deep or abrupt stop.

Dunker

Nose Black nose with wide nostrils.
Muzzle - Muzzle rather long than short, squarely cut. Straight and evenly broad nasal bridge.
Teeth - Scissor bite.
Cheeks - Clean cheeks without prominent cheek bones.
Eyes - Rather large, but not protruding. Round in appearance. Dark. Wall eyes are permitted in blue marbled (dappled) dogs. Bright and expressive with a calm and earnest expression. Eyelids close fitting.
Ears - Medium high set, rather low than high. Hanging close to head. Smooth, moderately wide, tapering, rounded at the end. Flat without folds. Not too short, but long enough to extend half-way along the muzzle when pulled forward.

BODY Top line - Firm.
Back - Straight, firm and not too long in back.
Loin - Broad and muscular loin, not roached.
Croup - Slightly sloping, muscular croup, not too short.
Chest - Capacious chest with well sprung ribs; the back ribs should be particularly well developed, making the brisket appear long.
Underline and Belly : Slight tuck-up.

Dunker

Tail Set on level with the topline. Thick at the root, tapering towards the end. The tail should be straight and carried in a slight upward curve, reaching to the hock or slightly below.

NECK - Fairly long, without noticeable throatiness.

He needs space and exercise, as well as regular brushing.

Forequarters Strong, dry and sinewy forelegs.
Shoulders - Muscular, long and sloping shoulderblades, lying close to the chest, closely set together at the top. Well angulated shoulder and elbow joints.
Forearm - Straight forearm.
Pastern - Pasterns slightly sloping.
Feet - Arched and well-knit feet with good coat between the toes. Firm pads. The feet should point straight forward.

Dunker

HINDQUARTERS General appearance - Well angulated. Stands parallel, not crouched nor cow hocked. Dewclaws should be removed.
Upper thigh - Broad thighs.
Lower thigh - Broad second thighs.
Hock - Dry and lowset hocks, broad seen from the side.
Feet - Arched and well-knit feet with good coat between the toes. Firm pads. The feet should point straight forward.

Gait Free movement, covering ground. Parallel from behind, not crouched nor cow hocked.

Behaiver - Very robust and able to adapt to all types of weather and terrain, the Norwegian Hound is built for long-distance running rather than sprinting. He hunts hare. Even-tempered and kind, he makes a good companion.

Dunker

COAT Hair - Straight, hard, dense and not too short coat. The back of the thighs and the tail may be somewhat more heavily coated, but not too much so, provided the coat is otherwise particularly good.
Colour - Black or blue marbled (dappled) with pale fawn and white markings. Warm brown or predominant black is less desirable, but acceptable.

SIZE AND WEIGHT Height at the withers - Dogs :50 - 55 cm, ideally 53 cm
Bitches - 47 - 53 cm, ideally 50 cm.
In particularly well constructed males, height at the withers up to 57 cm is permissible. Dog obviously rectangular. Depth of chest approximately half the height at withers.

Dunker

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 : Predominantly white colour (50% or more).

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.

Note *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Dunker