 |
FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (AISBL) SECRETARIAT GENERAL: 13, Place Albert 1er B – 6530 Thuin (Belgique) ______________________________________________________________________________ |
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________ 27.03.2020/ EN
FCI-Standard N° 368
CÃO DE GADO TRANSMONTANO (Transmontano Mastiff)
2
ORIGIN: Trás-os-Montes – Portugal.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 26/02/2020.
UTILIZATION: Livestock guarding dog for sheep and goat flocks.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION: Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs.
Section 2.2 Molossoid breeds, Mountain type.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The origin of this breed is common to the history of all Iberian mastiffs and its evolution is linked with Peninsular transhumance routes. It is a companion of the shepherd with specific duties in guarding against wolf attacks, since ever abundant in the area. In remote times, this dog settled in the Portuguese highlands, namely in Trás-os-Montes.
In this mountainous area, characterized by steep pastures of difficult
road access, the breed adjusted to the region’s conditions and sheep and goat flocks that, traditionally, graze in these areas, evolving until it its morphological traits were defined, in perfect symbiosis with the environment and with the work demanded.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Large molossoid dog, strong and rustic, standing out by its imposing and noble look and sober expression. Square profile, with high limbs, strong bones, naturally straight and upright, slightly tucked in belly and moderate hindquarters angles. This breed shows clear sexual dimorphism, the males being noticeably higher and bulkier than females.
FCI-St. N° 368/ 27.03.2020
3
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Almost square in shape; Convex in profile. Height at the withers and body length are almost equal. The height at the elbow is noticeably higher than half the height at the withers.
BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT: Despite its size it is a docile but reserved dog. It is cautious without being aggressive, always calm and with a serene expression. It is an exceptional guard
when protecting flocks against wolf attacks, always attentive in its duty. Lives and socializes with other males without conflict, imposing a dominance hierarchy when living in groups with breeding females, and it is normal seeing them outnumbering females in flock guarding, which is never done by a single animal. In the contact with strangers, after an initial reserve, it allows handling without problems, being very sensitive to gentle treatment and attention.
HEAD
Big and massive, but not too bulky in relation to the body, with convex profile and parallel longitudinal superior cranium-facial axes; a slight divergence of axes is acceptable.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Moderately wide and somewhat convex on both axes; Apparent superciliary arches.
Stop: Moderate.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Oval and big, with well open nostrils, preferably black or dark coloured.
Muzzle: Slightly shorter than the skull, with convergent cheeks and obliquely truncated; Slightly convex transversally, with straight profile.
Lips: Overlaid, of regular thickness, slightly pendulous and slightly rounded, with apparent commissures and well-cut mouth. The mucous membranes are black pigmented.
Jaws: Strong, well developed and well-muscled.
Teeth: Strong and well developed. Scissors or pincer bite.
FCI-St. N° 368/ 27.03.2020
4
EYES: Medium-sized and almond shaped, honey brown in colour or darker. Slanted and set semi-frontally. Black pigmented lids. Serene expression.
EARS: Medium sized, slightly longer than wide, triangular, medium-high set (above the eye line), with rounded tip and very thick. Very mobile and hanging, they may also pull back and fold vertically. In attention they fold towards the front.
NECK: Medium length, straight, strong and well-muscled; with apparent, simple, and not excessive dewlap. Loose neck skin.
BODY
Strong, not too voluminous, well-muscled. Height at the withers should be equal to body length.
Top line: Level.
Withers: Well marked.
Back: Short, firm, straight, wide and well-muscled.
Croup: Of medium length, moderately wide and sloping.
Chest: Wide and moderately large, well developed with moderately sprung ribs. The chest is voluminous. It reaches the elbow without passing it.
Underline and belly: Slightly uprising from sternum to belly, leading to a slightly tucked belly.
TAIL: Entire and thick, well covered with hair, of medium set and size, not reaching over the hock. Hanging sabre shaped, but may curve at the tip, in motion it is carried high, sickle-shaped, may even curl.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
General appearance: Strong, long, straight and parallel when seen from the front.
Shoulder: Long shoulder blade and average scapulo-humeral angle (110º).
Upper arm: Strong, long and well developed.
Elbow: Close to the chest, never turning out.
FCI-St. N° 368/ 27.03.2020
5
Forearm: Long and vertical, with cylindrical bones.
Carpus (Wrist): Strong joint.
Metacarpus (Pastern): Very upright and almost straight.
Forefeet: Strong, voluminous and round, with tight and arched toes. Thick, high and hard pads.
HINDQUARTERS:
General appearance: Strong and muscled, parallel when seen from behind. Moderate femur-tibia angle.
Thigh: Long and well-muscled.
Leg: Long and muscled.
Hock joint: High, wide and strong.
Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Proportioned to limb height, with simple or double dewclaws.
Hind feet: Oval or round.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: Despite the size and corpulence, the gait is light, energetic, rhythmical and with great extension.
SKIN: Thick texture and loose in the neck, forming simple dewlap, up to the withers; it is much thinner on the head than on the rest of the body.
COAT: Thick, of medium length and abundant.
Hair: Smooth and very dense. With obvious undercoat. Shorter and thinner hair in the head, ears, muzzle and limbs.
Colour: The most common colours are white with black, yellow, fawn or wolf grey markings. The solid colours are fawn, yellow or wolf grey, brindled or not. In these colours white markings on forefeet, feet or both, as well as a white blaze on the head are commonly seen. It may be ticked in the body or have tan in the cheeks and eyebrows and anal region (tricolour).
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Height at the withers: Males: 75-85 cm. Weight: Males: 60-75 Kg.
Females: 68-78 cm. Females: 50-60 Kg.
FCI-St. N° 368/ 27.03.2020
6
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.
Muzzle: Pointed and funnel-shaped muzzle. Eyes: Yellow, loose lids.
Neck: Excessive or double dewlap.
Body: Thin bones.
Back: Excessive length (longilinear).
Pasterns: Lack of uprightness or too sloping. Tail: With hook.
SEVERE FAULTS
Head: Too bulky.
Skull: Too convex.
Skull / Muzzle: Convergent or excessively divergent longitudinal superior cranium-facial axes.
Muzzle: too short.
Nose: Flesh coloured or marbled nose.
Jaws: evidently undershot or overshot.
Eyes: Big, round or prominent. Lack of pigmentation of the lids. Ears: Of low set, excessively small or thin.
Body: Wide chest reaching below the elbow. Barrel-shaped chest. Feet: Splayed fore – and hind feet.
Coat: Not dense enough and too short in the body. Lack of undercoat. Colour: Solid black and solid white.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
•Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
•Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities.
FCI-St. N° 368/ 27.03.2020
7
N.B:
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
FCI-St. N° 368/ 27.03.2020
