Utonagan Breed Standard

OVERALL PICTURE
Should resemble a Timber Wolf. Large, strong and powerful presence but not too heavy in build with longer legs compared to build of body . Should show overall straight, balanced top-line, and move covering the ground with ease , with good reach.

CHARACTERISTICS
A powerful and adaptable dog. Built for travel. Agile, ability for endurance and fast work, alert and intelligent.

TEMPERAMENT
The temperament, friendly and intelligent with no hint of aggression

HEAD
The head should be large and long (average length 9 - 11 inches), being the same distance (5 - 6 inches) between the occupult and the stop as breadth of the skull. The stop should be slight, not too severe. Skull should taper forward. Broad strong muzzle, lips firm and closing tightly. Nose should be black or dark Brown, lack of pigmentation or snow nose considered as a fault, taking into account bitches may suffer from this temporarily due to seasons or lactating.

EYES
Colour ranging from Brown to amber or yellow (preferred). Good pigment, almond in shape, coat accentuating the eye so that they look larger.
Blue eyes will be considered a fault.

EARS
Large, but should be in comparison to head. Set slightly lower down and tip slightly forward as to give the illusion that they are smaller. Once dog matures they should have a good covering of hair around the inside of the ear. Slightly rounded at tip. Soft ears to be considered a fault.

MOUTH
A strong muzzle with well developed powerful jaw is preferred. Bite should be scissor bite, Lips Black. Undershot or overshot jaws are regarded as a fault.

NECK
Fairly long and slightly curved line where it connects to the head, well muscled, looks bigger due to heavier coat “Mane” in this area, give the impression of strength.

FOREQUARTERS
Built for travel, narrow chest, shoulders sloping enabling good reach. Forelegs long in comparison to body. Elbows close to the body, turning neither in nor out.

CHEST/BODY
Streamlined chest. Body and Tail in comparison showing a long animal. Well sprung ribs into tuck and well muscled loins.

HINDQUARTERS
Well muscled hindquarters giving push and leverage, from behind dog should move straight and move easily, hocks should be straight, slight turn of stifle.

FEET
Front paws large in comparison to bone, turning out very slightly. Back paws smaller Pads slightly webbed, longer toes on front feet. Dew claws on hind feet will be considered a fault.

TAIL
Should be bushy and thick not feathered. Should hang straight to the hock. Carried straight and high when excited or at a trot. Should not curl round on itself, straight tail preferred. Spitz tails are to be considered a fault.

GAIT
Effortless, with a good reach and ground cover, powerful drive from the hindquarters.

COAT
Dense double coat, waterproof harsh top coat and soft thick undercoat, thicker /longer around neck, tail area. No feathering on legs, excess feathering in comparison to coat on ears, tail and trousers undesirable.

COLOURS
Colours allowable: grizzled combination of timber grey, silver, black, white and buff single colours of black, white.
Pied or ink marked colours undesirable.

SIZE
Height
Bitches 25 ins and above to top of withers.
Dogs generally bigger than bitches, 26 ins and above to top of withers.
Height should be taken into consideration with overall appearance.

Weight
Approximately 55-90 lbs and should be in proportion to height, age and frame should be well covered and fit.

FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be considered should be in proportion to its degree.

NOTE
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles descended into the scrotum.

Written - January 2008

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- http://www.britishutonagan.com/breedstandard.htm