MISCELLANEOUS BREEDS
tail is carried low with a slight curve when standing . While gaiting , the actively waving orange-and-white plume — so reminiscent of the fox — is carried jauntily , straight out from the body with an upward curve to almost straight up or gaily . It may have a slight curl , but should never be carried in a ring or circle over the back .
Lastly , placement of markings is unimportant beyond these specifics : This is a parti-colored dog with clear orange-red plates — predominant on the torso — on a ground of pure white , with a full orange-red head cap covering both ears and both eyes , with a white blaze reaching to the nose . The chest , belly , the majority of the legs and the majority of the tail plume are white . Dogs may have a “ mantle ” or “ blanket ” ( i . e ., a back and neck entirely orange-red in color ) or have a slight amount of ticking in the white , but both of these are less desirable .
Black feathering on the ears , called “ earrings ” is highly desirable . A black tail ring where the orange-red changes to white is acceptable . Some black hair interspersed in the orange-red is permitted . A black and white or tri-colored dog — one that is black and white with tan points — is a disqualification .
Beyond these specifics , color should be a consideration only if all else about two dogs is equal .
This breed is to be shown in natural coat . Visible grooming is to be severely penalized . Only neatening of the feet is permitted .
This “ snapshot ” of the breed has been developed as an aid to judges in the most important points to look for in the ring in conjunction with the full Judges ’ Education materials developed by the Breed Standard and Judges ’ Education Committee of KCUSA under the direction of FCI Judge and breed expert Diana Striegel-Oskam and AKC Judges Education Coordinator Sue Vroom . It and the “ Illustrated Standard of the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje ” are available online from the AKC Judges Resource Center . The Illustrated Standard is also available as a booklet from KCUSA ( www . kooikerhondjeusa . org ).
There is no substitute for attendance at a Judges ’ Education Seminar and Workshop . Upcoming there are several opportunities to attend both the Seminar and the Workshop for the breed . One will be held in Perry , Ga ., on Friday , April 14 , in conjunction with the KCUSA Annual Event at the Peach Blossom Cluster . Four more are scheduled for the Michigan Sporting Dog Association Annual Seminars in Ortonville , Mich ., June 24-25 . Check the AKC Judges Seminar website for additional dates and locations around the country or contact KCUSA ’ s Judges ’ Education Coordinator for further information .
THE NORRBOTTENSPETS
The Norrbottenspets is a charming little forest hound bred to hunt upland game birds , smaller fur-bearing mammals and large game mammals like elk , deer , bear and wild boar . The dogs originated in Northern Sweden , Finland and Norway ( Lappland ).
The Lappland area ranges from coastal to heavily forested to Arctic scrub , which led to a structure and hunting style suitable for the environment . Unlike most dogs in the Hound Group who hunt by either sight or scent , the Norrbottenspets uses sight , scent and hearing to hunt . Hunters bring their dogs to a wooded area and release them . The dogs may hear , smell or see prey . Once it ’ s flushed , the dogs sight on the prey and give chase . They keep the prey in sight and bark during the chase until the bird is treed or other game are cornered . Barking aids the hunter in tracking the dogs .
Norrbottenspets are medium-sized , spitz-type dogs that are compactly built with a structure that supports hunting in forests . They are extremely agile , with a gait that is smooth and free , with strong drive and the ability to cover lots of ground . When in motion , the topline remains firm , with the back and loins level and both the forelegs and hind legs travel parallel . The tail is rather high set , loosely curled and the tip of the tail touches the side of upper thigh when in motion . The forechest is well developed and well defined . The lowest part of the ribcage is at the elbow or just below it , and there is only a slight tuck-up .
The head sits on a moderately long , slightly arched neck . The skull is relatively broad , with a slightly arched forehead . The top of the skull is rather flat . The muzzle is about half the length of the head , tapering toward the tip of nose . Cheeks are prominent . Eyes are almond shaped , with pigmented rims . Jaws are well developed , with teeth in a scissor bite . Ears are high set , erect and with slightly rounded tips . Ears may lie flat when the dog is in motion . Shoulder blades are close to the chest and form well-defined withers .
The forequarters are neither narrow nor broad , with legs straight and parallel , and without extremes in angulations . The upper arm is the same length as the shoulder blade and lies close to the chest . The elbows turn neither in nor out . Freedom to swing the foreleg from the shoulder allows the hunting dog the ability to place a foot in any direction , but on open ground , loose legs should remain parallel in motion . Pasterns are slightly sloping , feet point forward and dewclaws are present on front feet . The hindquarters are not extremely angulated and are parallel when viewed from behind . The
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