Nieuwe pagina 1

KRASKY OVCAR

Herdershond v/d Karst

History

Nestled up against the Alps of Italy and Austria is the northern border of Yugoslavia. The area called Karst (or Kras) encompasses much of northern Yugoslavia, including the Istrian Peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea. The local livestock-guarding dog is closely related to the Sarplaninac of the south. Both the Karst and the Sar are obviously related to the flock guards of Greece, Rumania and the eastern Balkans. Americans, looking for examples of this breed in the late 1970s, were told that if any existed, "all the[se] dogs were now only in the south" of Yugoslavia. But their obituary was premature. A few lovers of this breed worked to see it saved in its homeland, Europe and even in America. Most of these breeders were people of Yugoslavian descent who saw the Karst as a living piece of their country's history. The FCI has now granted international recognition to the breed. The Krasky Ovcar is only seen in the iron gray color, preferably with darker shadings on the back and "spectacles" around the eyes. The ears are small and set fairly high, hanging down in a flat v. The long tail is heavy with hair, forming a flag. Muscles must be strong and well developed, giving an impression of mammoth strength. Its leathery footpads enable it to go over nearly impassable terrain and rocks. A good domestic dog, the Karst has been described as a cheerful, delightful companion. He is wary of strangers and not easily won over, and these characteristics combined with abundant courage make him an excellent guardian. He is smaller and less aggressive than some of the other flock guards. Sporadically, a specimen of the breed is exhibited at rare breed shows in America and FCI events in Europe. The breed has not been promoted like the Sar for livestock guarding in America, but it has served in that capacity in its homeland for centuries.

General Appearance The Krasky Dog is of medium size, harmonious, robust, endowed with a well developed musculature and a strong constitution. The tail and ears are hanging. The coat is iron grey, long and abundant. In general, the Krasky Shepherd makes a good protective dog, a reliable and independent guard dog, an average hound, a poor retriever, but still an excellent sheepdog. If we are prepared to accept its behavioural logic and treat it as a kind of partner, then the path to successful training is secured. Any attempts at subordinating it too much can back-fire and we will loose an opportunity to train an obedient dog. In general, they are far more reliable guard dogs than other breeds. That fact that over 100 Krasky Shepherds have won one or several titles as nominee, national or international champion, more than 10 international champions and that 50 have passed the service dog exams testify that the Kraševec is an established and quality breed.

Importantproportions Length of body in proportion to height at withers should be no less than 9 : 8. Body a little longer in bitches. Skull a little longer (13 to 14 cm) than the muzzle (11 to 12 cm). Width of skull (13 to 14 cm) equal to its length.

Behaviour & Temperament * Of good, moderately sharp temperament, courageous and valliant but not biting, very devoted to his master. Incorruptibly good guard, distrustful of strangers; pleasant companion dog and obedient, whilst maintaining a strong

Head Of pleasing appearance while being proportionately large in relation to the body; it must be neither fine nor coarse. The upper profile of the skull and muzzle are slightly convergent. Seen from above, it is wide at ear level and tapers imperceptibly towards the nose. Seen in profile, it is deep and rounded. The length of the head, from the occipital protuberance to the tip of the nose, is of 24 to 26 cm. The skull is a little longer than the muzzle.

Skull Quite developed, lean with fine muscles; its profile being slightly convex, seen from all sides it is rounded. Width of the skull at ear level is equal to the length of the skull. Superciliary arches moderately accentuated; frontal furrow moderate; median crest slightly convex without accentuation of the occiput.

Stop * Only slightly pronounced, not abrupt.

Nose Black. Broad, well developed, slightly exceeding the front line of the muzzle.

Muzzle * Of medium length, broad and deep at its base, reducing progressively towards the nose. Muzzle straight and broad.

Lips * Thick, tight, well fitted, without forming pockets; black pigmentation.

Jaws/Teeth * Complete dentition, strong teeth, especially the incisors; scissor bite.

Cheeks * Laterally a little prominent, strong but not too developed, modelling a rather shallow face.

Eyes * Relatively wide apart, neither prominent nor sunken in the sockets, almond shaped, of chestnut colour or dark brown; frank expression, calm and firm, almost melancholic because of the black pigmented eyelids.

Ears * Moderately high set, of medium length. The tips can reach the outer angle of the eye. They fall flat, in the shape of a « V » against the cheeks, the inner borders being folded outwards.

Neck Broad, thick, well muscled; oval cross-section; upper profile straight or slightly curved, lower profile straight. Of medium length (about 25 cm), is deeply set into the shoulders and attached to the head and body by strong muscles. Skin thick, tight-fitting, without dewlap. Thick coat with long hair, forming a ruff and a well furnished mane, which makes the neck appear shorter and stronger than it is. Proud carriage, slightly raised.

Body Well developed, of medium length, thoracic part long.

Topline * Straight, horizontal or slightly oblique.

Withers * Long, of medium height, of good width and well linked to the neck.

Back * Straight of medium length, muscled and broad.

Loin * Lumbar region rather short, very muscular and broad.

Croup * Of medium length, broad, very muscular; towards the root of the tail slightly inclined.

Chest * Well developed and well let down, voluminous in width and of good length; ribs broad, flat, moderately sprung; forechest well developed with sternum point quite rounded; length of 25 to 28 cm, its circumference is of 70 to 78 cm.

Underline and Belly * Belly slightly raised and tucked up, tight; flanks short moderately cut up.

Tail Solidly attached to the body, wide at the base; in normal position, sabre shaped, at tip often with a slight hook; of medium length, must at least reach the hock; bushy with long hair, without forming a plume; when the dog is alert or moving the tail is raised up to the level of the back or slightly above it; at rest, it is carried low.

ForeQuarters Straight, seen from the front or in profile; the different parts of the limbs (quarters) are very harmoniously linked together.

Shoulders * Shoulder blades of medium length, wide, oblique, well muscled and firmly attached to the body. Scapular-humeral angle close to a right angle.

Arm * Relatively long, more slanting than the shoulder blade, of strong musculature, close to body.

Elbow* Humeral-radial angle not too open; the elbow, close to the body, must be at sternum level.

Forearm * Sufficiently long, straight; strong bone structure and musculature.

Carpus (wrist) * Strong, well jointed to the forearm as well as to the metacarpus.

Metacarpus (pastern) : Broad of medium length, slightly slanting.

Forefeet * Well proportioned in relation to the trunk, of oval to round shape; toes tight and arched, dark nails; the centre pad and the digital pads are sufficiently strong, black or with a dark pigmentation.

HindQuarters Well proportioned, straight seen from behind and in harmony with the other parts of the body. Seen in profile, the angulations are sufficiently closed.

Thighs * Coxal-femoral angle sufficiently closed; thighs long, wide, well muscled and well filled.

Stifle * Femoral-tibial angle slightly open; knee strongly built, solid knee cap.

Lower thigh * Moderately long, inclined, robust.

Hock * Solid and moderately open.

Metatarsus Rear pastern * Robust, short and straight; dewclaws, if present, must be removed.

Hind feet * As the forefeet.

Gait and Movement Harmonious, elastic, well coordinated movements; preferred gait and the most elegant is the trot; the gallop with long strides is less elegant.

Skin * Thick, compact, elastic, close-fitting, without wrinkles; dark pigmentation; lips edges and eye rims black pigmented.

Haire * Well furnished, long, flat, with abundant undercoat. The head the front edges of the ears and the front part of the legs covered with short hair. The back edge of the ears has longer and more supple hair. In its upper region, the neck has long hair, stiff and very bushy forming a mane; in its lower part, the hair is longer and more supple forming a ruff which is wider at the set of the neck. The trunk and belly have long hair which becomes less hard on the belly. The tail regularly bushy, does not form a plume. On the back side of the forequarters, the long hair is very supple forming fringes. On the back side of the hindquarters, the hair is even longer and bushy forming culottes. The length of the top coat is at least 10 cm.

Colour Iron grey; especially on the back, a dark shade is preferred; towards the belly and the limbs, the colour turns without visible transition to a light grey or sandy colour, with a dark streak on the front parts of the limbs. The dark mask on the muzzle spreads on to the skull. On the back part of the head it is bordered with grey or sandy or pale fawn hair overlaid with black.

SIZE AND WEIGHT Height at withers * Males 57 to 63 cm (ideal size 60 cm). Females 54 to 60 cm (ideal size 57 cm).

A tolerance of 2 cm above is authorised but will have a negative effect on the general appreciation of the dog.

Weight * Males * 30 to 42 kg. Females 25 to 37 kg.

SLIGHT FAULTS Minor faults in the general constitution. Head a bit small narrow, long and of insufficient depth. Stop not marked. Superciliary arches pronounced. Cheeks too full or too lean. Jaws insufficiently developed. Slack lips. Ears set too high or very low insufficiently flattened against cheeks. Eyes too open, too light, set insufficiently apart. Presence of dewlap. Slack back, rump slightly raised or falling away. Narrow chest, not deep enough or barrel shaped; narrow forechest. Tail too short. Quarters (limbs) slightly defective, foot split up between toes, hare feet. Wrinkled skin or light in pigmentation. Absence of wrinkles on forehead. Insufficient pigmentation of nose, lip edges and eye rims. Coat of insufficient length. Small white patch on the chest, absence of mask.

SERIOUS FAULTS Serious faults in the general constitution. Square body shape. Narrow head, too light or too coarse. Stop too marked. Muzzle too pointed or too long. Teeth * pincer bite, uneven alignment of incisors. Light eyes. Pricked ears. Saddle back, rump definitely raised. Corkscrew tail or rolled up. Pounding gait (in front). Stilted gait (behind). Clumsy movement especially of the hindquarters. Soft and wavy coat. Insufficient pigmentation of nose; lip edgesandeyerims. White patch on the chest exceeding 2cm in width and 10 cm in length.

ELIMINATING FAULTS Aggressive or overly shy dog. Exaggerated disproportion between the different parts ofthe body. Size below the minimum authorized in the standard. Head too big in relation to the body. Incomplete dentition. Undershot, overshot conditions. Standing position manifestly close or too wide (barrel-shaped). Very short or stump-like tail. Depigmentation of nose, lip edges and eyerims. All other colours than grey which must be at least light grey; bicoloured subjects or of several colours, very definite demarcation between the shades of grey. White patches on the chest or the neck exceeding 2 cm in width or 10 cm in length.

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.