[Reproduced
with kind permission of the KC.]
General
Appearance
Well balanced, impresses with strength and great activity. Massive
bone throughout, but not giving heavy inactive appearance. Noble,
majestic and powerful.
Characteristics
Large draught and water dog, with natural life-saving instinct, and
devoted companion.
Temperament
Exceptionally gentle, docile nature.
Head
and Skull
Head broad and massive, occipital bone well developed, no decided
stop, muzzle short, clean cut and rather square, covered with short
fine hair.
Eyes
Small, dark brown, rather deeply set, not showing haw, set rather
wide apart.
Ears
Small, set well back, square with skull, lying close to head, covered
with short hair without fringe.
Mouth
Soft and well covered by lips. Scissor bite preferred, i.e. upper
teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws,
but pincer tolerated.
Neck
Strong, well set on to shoulders.
Forequarters
Legs perfectly straight, well muscled, elbows fitting close to sides,
well let down.
Body
Well ribbed, back broad with level topline, strong muscular loins.
Chest deep, fairly broad.
Hindquarters
Very well built and strong. Slackness of loins and cow-hocks most
undesirable. Dewclaws should be removed.
Feet
Large, webbed, and well shaped. Splayed or turned out feet most undesirable.
Tail
Moderate length, reaching a little below hock. Fair thickness well
covered with hair, but not forming a flag. When standing hangs downwards
with slight curve at end; when moving, carried slightly up, and when
excited, straight out with only a slight curve at end. Tails with
a kink or curled over back are most undesirable.
Gait/Movement
Free, slightly rolling gait. When in motion slight toe-ing in at front
acceptable.
Coat
Double, flat and dense, of coarse texture and oily nature, water-resistant.
When brushed wrong way it falls back into place naturally. Forelegs
well feathered. Body well covered but chest hair not forming a frill.
Hindlegs slightly feathered.
Colour
Only permitted colours are:
Black: dull jet black may be tinged with bronze. Splash of white on
chest, toes and tip of tail acceptable.
Brown: can be chocolate or bronze. In all other respects follow black
except for colour. Splash of white on chest, toes and tip of tail
acceptable.
Landseer: white with black markings only. For preference black head
with narrow blaze, evenly marked saddle, black rump extending to tail.
Beauty in markings to be taken greatly into consideration. Ticking
undesirable.
Size
Average height at shoulder: dogs: 71 cms (28 ins); bitches: 66 cms
(26 ins). Average weight: dogs: 64-69 kgs (141-152 lbs); bitches:
50-54.5 kgs (110-120 lbs). While size and weight are important it
is essential that symmetry is maintained.
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 and its effect upon the health
and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum.