Breedstandard

 

F.C.I. Standard nr: 226

Country of origin: Germany / Switzerland

 

General Appearance:
The Landseer should convey the impression of a tall, powerful and well-balanced dog.The legs are comparatively longer than those of the black Newfoundlanddog, especially in the male. Movement of the well musculed legs should present a free, long stride, covering ground well.

Coat and colour:
The top coat, with exception of the head, should be long and as straight and dense as possible, soft to the touch, with good undercoat, which is not as dense as in the black Newfoundland. Slightly wavy coat on the back and hindquarters is not objectionable. When brushed wrong way it falls back into natural place.

Main colour of the coat is a clear white with distinct black patches on the rump and the croup. Collar, forechest, belly, legs and tail must be white. Head black, with white muzzle and a white symmetrical blaze, neither too narrow, nor to wide, extending from muzzle over the head to the white collar, being considered a definite breeding goal. Ticking  still occuring in the white not to be penalized, but should be bred away.

    

 

Head:
Head should be broad and massive with a well developed occiput. Decided stop, however not as pronounced and steep as the St. Bernard. Lenght of muzzle is egual to the dept of the muzzle, mesured in the front of the stop.. Lips clean, the upperlip slightly overlapping the lower, they should be as tight as possible, no drivelling. Head should be strikingly modelled with a noble expression. Cheeks moderately developed, gradually tapering into the muzzle. Nose and lips are black. Scalp should be free from wrinkles, covered with short, fine hair. Mouth: Scissor bite.

Ears:
Medium size. Reaching inner corner of the eyes, when drawn out. Triangular shape, with slightly rounded tips. Set high on head, however not too far back. Carried close and flat to sides of the head.Ears covered with short, fine hair. Fringes of longer hair to be found only at back part of root of ear.

Eyes:
Medium size, moderately deep set, brown to darkbrown, lightbrown to be tolerated. Friendly expression, almond shaped, showing no haw. Pronounced light eyes (sulphur or greyish yellow) are faulty, as well as eyes set too close together.

Neck:
The neck, muscular and broad, should not be quite round but rather eggshaped in cross-section, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders. Lenght of neck from occiput to withers to be approximately 3/4 to 4/5 lenght from occiput to tip of the nose. Pronounced dewlap undesirable.

Body:
The body measured from withers to set of tail should be about twice the lenght of the head. The back should be straight and level, wide and strong from withers to croup. Very muscular shoulders, the chest to be deep and broad corresponding to well sprung ribs. Belly slightly tucked up. Clearly visible flat depression between belly and muscular loin. Croup broad, well rounded at sides and rear by powerful bolster of muscels.

Forequarters:
Strong muscels descending from shoulders, to surround a well boned humerus, connected in correct angulation to the massive bones of the front legs; these are absolutely straight and muscular. Elbows close to the body at lowest point of brisket.Distance from ground to elbows rather high, elbows pointed straight to the rear. Legs slightly fringed down to pasterns.

Hindquarters:
All of hindquarters to be very sturdy. Hindlegs to move freely, they should have strong bone, embedded by powerful muscels to be broad across thigs. Hindlegs to be moderately friged.Cowhocks or insufficient angulation are faulty. Dewclaws are objectionable, they should be removed as soon as possible after birth.

Feet:
Large well shaped catfeet. Splayed or turned out feet are objectionable. Toes connected by webbing, which should be strong, almost reaching tip of toes.

Tail:
Strong, reaching slightly below hocks at the most, well covered with dense, bushy hair, however not flaglike. Tail should be hang downwards, when standing or at ease, with a slight curve at end permissable. May carry tail straight out, with only a slight curve at the end, when moving. Tails with a kink or curled over back are most objectionable.

Size :
Height at shoulder: Males: 72 to 80 cm (28,5 to 31,5 inches)                                            

                            Females: 67 to 72 cm (26,5 to 28,5 inches)

Small deviations below or above to be tolerated.

N.B.   Male animals should have 2 apparently normal testicules fully descended into the scrotum.

 

(source: the official breedstandard, Zuchtbuch nr. 2)