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KARST SHEPHERD DOG
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BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Karst Shepherd Dog is a breed which has existed for several
centuries and which belongs in the molossian group. Probably this dog
followed the Illyrians in their migration through Istria and the
Dalmatian islands and settled in the Slovenian region of the Karst
Massif. The breed was mentioned in writing for the first time in 1689
in the book of Baron Janez Vajkart Valvasor « The glory of the duchy of
Carniole ». The breed and its standard were officially recognized on
the 2nd June 1939 under the name of « Illyrian Shepherd » during the
general assembly of the F.C.I. in Stockholm. At the general assembly of
the F.C.I. in 1948 in Bled-Slovenia, the standard was completed and the
breed recognized again. Up to 16th March 1968 however, the Shepherd of
Illyria of the Karst Massif carried the same name as the shepherd from
the Sarplanina Massif. In the presence of two shepherd dogs carrying the
same name, the Central Society of Yugoslavia decided to name the one
from the Karst region « Shepherd from the Karst Massif » and the other
one « Sarplaninac ». Since that day, those two breeds have been totally
independent.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Karst Shepherd 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.
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 individuality.
COAT
HAIR : 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
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.
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Courtesy : Andrej Kocar
International FCI Judge
Golo Brdo 137
1215 Medvode
Slovenia ( EU) |
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