Dutch Schapendoes

		Dutch Schapendoes
		FCI standard Nº 313

Origin		Netherlands
Translation		Mrs Chris Seidler
Group		Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss cattledogs)
Section		Section 1 Sheepdogs
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Friday 17 May 1991
Publication of the official valid standard		Thursday 26 March 1992
Last update		Wednesday 14 April 1999
En français, cette race se dit		Schapendoes neerlandais
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Niederländischer Schapendoes
En español, esta raza se dice		Schapendoes neerlandés
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Nederlandse Schapendoes

Usage

The Nederlandse Schapendoes is a herding dog which was used for herding flocks of sheep and which is still used in the same capacity today. As pasture for sheep is situated mainly in quiet, lonely areas of the country, it is necessary for the Schapendoes to be equipped with great endurance, mobility and speed. A great facility for jumping is essential, as well as intelligence and the ability to act on his own. He has to be a true herding dog in character, body and soul.

Brief historical summary

At the end of the last and beginning of this century, the Nederlandse Schapendoes occurred everywhere in the region of the Netherlands where there was heathland and where there were herds or flocks of sheep. The shepherds valued him for the tireless pleasure he took in his work and for his intelligence. He belongs to the wide-ranging group of long-haired herding breeds which have densely coated heads. He is related to the Bearded Collie, the Puli, the Owczarek Nizinny, the Bobtail, the Briard, the Bergamasker and the German Schafspudel of the variety which occurs in Hessen, Odenwald and the Niederrhein district. All these similar dogs are smaller mutations of mountain dogs. The canine authority, P.M.C. Toepoel, is the founder of this breed. During the second World War, he knew how to rouse interest in the breed. During the years from 1940 to 1945 specimen of the almost vanished Schapendoes were used for breeding from wherever they could be found.
The Breed Club for Nederlandse Schapendoes was founded in the year 1947 and in 1952 the breed was provisionally recognized by the Raad van Beheer. In 1954 the standard was set up and a Stud Book started. Definite recognition followed in the year 1971. Since then only registered dogs have been bred from.

General appearance

The Nederlandse Schapendoes is a lightly built, long coated dog with a height at withers of 40 to 50 cm. His movement is effortless and springy. He is remarkable jumper.

Behaviour / temperament

The Schapendoes is a normally and harmonically constructed herding dog with an attentive and courageous character. He is intelligent, watchful, jolly, lively, friendly and high spirited. Towards people familiar to him, he develops great affection and loyalty.

Head
Cranial region
Head		The abundant growth of hair gives the head the appearance of loocking bigger and, in particular, broader.
Skull		Almost flat with a moderate frontal furrow and strongly defined superciliary arches. It ist fairly broad in proportion to its length : the width is slightly greater than the distance between the stop and the occiput.
Stop		Clearly defined but not steep.

Facial region
Nose		The bridge of the nose is placed a little lower than the line of the skull.
Muzzle		The muzzle is shorter than the distance between the stop and the occiput. The foreface tapers hardly, remains deep and ends broadly, being only slightly rounded at its end. Seen from the side, with jaw closed, the lower jaw must be clearly visible.
Jaws and teeth		Normally developed scissor bite.
Cheeks		The zygomatic arches are strongly prominent.
Eyes		The eyes are fairly large, round and set into the socket in a normal position. They are placed more to the front than the side of the head. Their colour is brown; they should not give the impression of being black. The white of the eye should only be visible when the dog looks hard to one side. The expression is open minded, honest and lively. Shape, colour and expression are very characteristic for the breed.
Ears		These are set on fairly high and are neither large nor fleshy. They hang free, but not close to the head. They are amply feathered and mobile, but should not protrude beyond the outline of the skull.

Neck

The head is carried high on a strong, clean neck.

Body
Body		The Schapendoes is slightly longer than high. The skeleton is fine boned, pliable and elastic.
Topline		Curved over a strong muscular loin.
Chest		Deep. Ribs are moderately to well sprung; they reach far back.
Underline and belly		Not too tucked up.

Tail

The tail is long, well coated and feathered. The manner and way in which the dog carries his tail is characteristic of the breed. In repose it hangs downwards. When trotting, the tail is carried fairly high and swings slightly curved from one side to the other. When galloping, it is stretched out straight. When jumping, the tail definitely serves as a rudder. When the dog is alert, the tail may sometimes be raised high. It should, however, never be carried stiffly over the back.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		The front legs are straight and lightly boned. Good angulation of the front legs should emphasize the fore-chest.
Pastern		Springy.

Hindquarters
Pelvis		In a well slanted position.
Metatarsus		Short.
Hock		Moderately angulated, well muscled.

Feet

The feet are fairly large and elastic, broad and oval in shape. The toes are tightly bunched. The pads are thick and springy, with plentiful hair between them. Dewclaws are permitted.

Gait and movement

In his work, the Schapendoes gallops rather than trots, so his movement must be light footed and springy without excessive use of energy. He must be able to jump well and turn swiftly.

Coat
Hair		The Schapendoes has a thick coat with sufficient undercoat. The coat is long, a good 7 cm or more in the region of the hindquarters. It is not smooth, but lightly waved. Definitely curly, frizzy hair is not permitted. The hairs grow very densely together; they are fine and dry, but above all, never silky. The coat, where it is long, is inclined to stand off in tufts, giving the Schapendoes a large girth, especially at the rear. The Schapendoes has a tremendous top knot, moustache and beard.
Colour		All colours are permitted. Preference is given to blue-grey to black.

Size and weight
Height at withers		For dogs : 43 - 50 cm, For bitches : 40 - 47 cm.

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.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

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/

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 28 January 2024; Hits: 451

Dutch Schapendoes