Broholmer

FCI standard Nº 315

Origin
Denmark
Translation
DKK Standard Committee
Official language (EN)
Group
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossians and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Section
Section 2.1 Molossians, Mastiff type
Working
Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Wednesday 26 May 1982
Publication of the official valid standard
Saturday 3 May 2025
Last update
Friday 16 May 2025
En français, cette race se dit
Broholmer
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Broholmer
En español, esta raza se dice
Broholmer
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Broholmer

Usage

Companion dog, guard dog.

Brief historical summary

As a type this breed has been known since the Middle Ages, when it was used for hunting (staghunting). Later it was used mainly as guard dog for large farms and manors. At the end of the 18th century these dogs were pure- bred and increased in number thanks to the Chamberlain Sehested of Broholm, from whom the breed has inherited its name. After the Second World War the breed became almost extinct, but around 1975 a group of committed people - later organized as « The Society for Reconstruction of the Broholmer Breed » - supported by the Danish Kennel Club, began the work of reviving the breed.

General appearance

A Mastiff-type of dog of large size, rectangular and strongly built, with a composed and powerful movement. Its appearance is dominated by the powerful forequarters. The head is massive and wide, the neck is sturdy with some loose skin, the chest is broad and deep. The dogs must show a distinct gender identity. The males must be distinctly masculine and the females distinctly feminine. At rest the head is carried rather low and stooping, and the tail is hanging down sabre-like. When moving, the tail is carried higher, but not over the topline. When the dog is attentive or aroused, the head is carried higher and the tail is raised above horizontal.

Important proportions

Rectangular. The height from the withers to the elbow and from the elbow to the ground is 1:1.

Behaviour / temperament

Calm, good tempered, friendly, yet watchful. Must show great self-confidence.

Head

Rather big and wide, with a heavy appearance.

Cranial region

Skull
Broad and rather flat. Topline of skull is parallel to topline of muzzle and set a little higher. 
Stop
Not too pronounced.

Facial region

Nose
Full and black.
Muzzle
Massive; looking rather short due to the heavy head. Upper and lower jaw are of equal length.
Lips
Pendulous, but not excessively so.
Jaws and teeth
Powerful jaws with well developed muscles. Scissor- or pincer bite.
Eyes
Round, not too big, or deep-set and not too slanted. The eye rims are tightly fitting. Colour from light to dark amber. Expression should show great self-confidence.
Ears
Medium sized, rather high set. Carried hanging close to cheeks.

Neck

Very powerful and muscular with some throatiness, yet not excessive.

Body

Topline
Straight.
Withers
Strong and clearly defined.
Back
Rather long.
Croup
Medium length, slightly sloping.
Chest
Powerful and deep, with well a developed forebreast.

Tail

Set on rather low, broad at base. It is carried drooping and has no flag or feathering. When moving the tail is raised to a horizontal position, preferably not higher. It should never be carried over the back or in a curl.

Limbs

Forequarters

Generality
Strong, straight and powerful forelegs with muscular upper arms. The length and angulation of the bones should produce a free movement with good reach walking or trotting.
Upper arm
Very muscular.
Elbows
Moving close to the body.
Forearm
Straight and powerufl.
Pastern
Not too long.
Forefeet
Rounded and tight fitting.

Hindquarters

Generality
Powerful and muscular hindlegs with angulation able to produce good driving power. Seen from behind the hindlegs are straight and parallel.
Upper thigh
Powerful, broad and muscular. Distinct knee angulation.
Metatarsus
Not too long.
Hind feet
Tight fitting and of the same length as the front feet.

Gait and movement

Composed and stooping with a long stride. Natural gaits are walking and trotting.

Skin

Well pigmented and thick; generally profuse, especially at the neck.

Coat

Hair
Short and close lying, with a thick undercoat.
Colour
Yellow with or without a black mask. Red with or without a black mask. The mask should only be seen on the muzzle. Black. White markings on chest, feet and tip of tail are optional.

Size and weight

Height at withers
Male ca 75 cm, bitch ca 70 cm.
Weight
Male 50 - 70 kg, bitch 40 - 60 kg.

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 and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

 Square proportions.
 Insufficient in substance.
 Lacking substance.
 Too light and elegant in head and body.
 Stop too marked; muzzle too light; corners of the mouth pendulous.
 Ears too big or too small.
 Rose ears.
 Tail set on too high or too low.
 Hook or kink tail.
 Long and weak in pasterns; splayed feet.
 Cow hocked.
 Pacing.
 Movement too elegant.
 Fringes/flag on buttocks and tail.
 White markings elsewhere than on chest, feet and tip of tail.
 Sooty.

Disqualifying faults

 Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
 Nervous, sharp or aggressive.
 Squarely built, definitely insufficient in substance.
 Nose other than black.
 Overshot or undershot mouth.
 Eyes of different colour.
 Erect ears.
 Tail curled up.
 Colour faulty; long-haired.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• 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.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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