Majorca Shepherd Dog

FCI:

Majorca Shepherd Dog -Group I. - Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, Section 1 - Sheepdogs. Recognized in 1982.

General Appearance:

Majorca Shepherd Dog is proud and absolutely respects only its owner. It is intelligent and obedient in its youth, however, it is timid and shy and almost timid it shows exceptional sensitivity. Today is a rare breed. In adulthood, brave, sometimes a little contentious and independent dog.

Temperament/Behaviour:

It is not dog for beginners, the owner must have the authority and consistency. Not for inexperienced owners and people lacking the ability to understand its actions. Early socialization is essential, but it must proceed slowly and with maximum sympathy from the owners and the neighbourhood, it may not be even a hint violent. Education should be from its earliest youth, although consistent, but always kind.

It is a typical dog "one-man", even though to the other family members is friendly. From other people are usually willing to tolerate those who are by its judgment good friends of the owner. It manifests significantly territorially and it has strong protectionist tendencies which lead the dog  to the fierce defence of the owner and his family members in cases of imminent danger. If it had early proper socialization it can get well with children and other dogs.

It requires long walks and hearty, and because it is very active and lively, it also needs a regular job, preferably in the form of training suitable canine sport. The defence training is not suitable since it could develop its aggressiveness.

Body:

This is a medium-sized or slightly larger than a medium-sized dog, robust and proportionate body. There are two varieties-, with short or long hair. Height at withers, male is 66 to 73 cm and in female is from 62 to 68 cm, the allowed tolerance is + / -1 cm. Weight of body is about 40 kg.

The head is massive, the skull must be large enough and generally bulky, slightly triangular shape. The occipital protuberance should be distinct, frontal slope should be declining. Muzzle broad, strong cannot be pointed at the end. At the longhaired variety is usually more pointed end. The muzzle is seen from the side slightly arched, while the edge of the lower jaw to be straight. Nose required large, black, and well open. Mottled or pale coloured is considered highly undesirable.

Mucous membranes are black pigmented gums. Lips should be black, quite inconspicuous. The mouth being closed lower lip over the top. Teeth should be white, large, planted vertically in the jaws. Scissor bite is required and upper outer incisors must affect the down canines. Molars should be appropriately robust.

The eyes are fairly small, slightly almond-shaped and slightly oblique. Iris has a honey colour, from the lightest completely after dark. The expression is puzzling, intelligent but sombre and a little incredulous. The edges must be black.

The earlobes should be suspended, in proportion to the size of the head rather small, triangular in shape, makes them visible longitudinal fold, reaching peaks of the outer eye corners, must be set high enough strong, un-cropped. They tip away from the head. The rest are folded backwards, in the heat of passion to lift off, so they are then carried a little farther from the head.

The neck is thick, massive, muscular and hard. Skin on it forms a small adjoining lobe. Body has to be robust, proportionate, strong and flexible. Withers pronounced, broad, solid. The back must be straight, horizontal. Loins are broad and strong, stern should be slightly rounded and broad, strong and well muscled.

The tail is set in the line of the croup should be rounded at the base and strong enough. About 8 cm from the deployment of the length of approximately 10 cm from the bottom is flattened, and then again to the tip round. Is not reduced, reaching at least to the hocks, but should never be so long that it touches the ground. Longhaired character can have a plumed tail bottom richer. The rest should be hung down slightly arched upward curved.

The chest is large and deep, forming moderately well sprung ribs. Weaknesses are easily rolled up. The forelegs should be strong, parallel and vertical. Elbows must cling to the chest. Forearms are strong, vertical to ground, solid, straight bones. Pasterns should be short, slightly slanted. Feet are slightly shorter and wider with appropriately arched and tight toes. Pigmented black padded to be resistant to any injuries. Dewclaws must be removed.

The hindquarters are muscular and strong. Thighs are strong, muscular, legs are long and strong. The hocks are strong, paws flatter than forefeet. Dewclaws are permitted, but they may also be missing. The movement should be balanced and elegant.

The coat is short haired character with short, close-fitting, 1.5 - 3 cm long undercoat should be soft, dense. At the longhaired character pistils on the back can slightly undulate. The length of the hair depends on the season, winter is the longest, can be measured over 7 cm. The undercoat is rich, but not too thick. For both shocks must be hair soft, gentle enough and resistant to bad weather. The only allowable coat colour is dark or pitches (bluish) black, it is the most valuable. White markings are permissible on the front chest and throat, where it forms a narrow vertical strip and on the paws and hind legs, but there must not interfere too high.

Any departures from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and accurately assessed the degree of expression. To negative defects belong aggressive or overly shy head too coarse, broad, heavy or "greyhound", nose, pink or white, overshot or undershot jaw of more than 3 mm each eye differently coloured, eye colour other than pale brown (rosemary honey ) to dark brown (carob honey), ears cropped, erect in motion or nearly erect calm, double dewlap at the throat, neck thicker at the head than at the chest, body too long or excessively short tail, very thick, as strong along the entire length very long or short, in the short-haired character with a "brush" on the underside of the long without a "flag" coat colour other than black, one white or otherwise coloured paw fore or hind limbs in an otherwise black individuals differently coloured "socks" on any limb, not entirely black except for white markings on the chest, isolated white pistils on the abdomen, the foreskin and tip of the tail that individuals completely disqualify, but significantly reduce its evaluation, the reason for disqualification is always a completely white finger or toe other than black forelegs, exceeding the standards defined height at withers and weight.