Southeastern European Shepherd

		Southeastern European Shepherd
		FCI standard Nº 357

Origin		Southeastern Europe, patronage Romania and Serbia
Translation		RKC & SKC, revised by Jennifer Mulholland
Group		Group 2 Pinscher & Schnauzer, Molossoids breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle dogs
Section		Section 2.2 Mountain type Molossoids
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Monday 29 April 2019
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Thursday 26 March 2009
Publication of the official valid standard		Monday 14 May 2018
Last update		Monday 11 June 2018
En français, cette race se dit		Berger de l'Europe du sud-est
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Südost-europäischer Schäferhund
En español, esta raza se dice		Perro de pastor de Europa del sureste
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Herder uit Zuidoost-Europa
In his country of origin, his name is		Ciobanesc Românesc de Bucovina

Usage

Guardian for flocks and an excellent watchdog.

Brief historical summary

It is a natural breed with its origin in the Carpathian Mountains (Romania and Serbia) and the South of Danube (some regions of Bulgaria). Special attention for the development of the breed arose in the regions of northeastern Romania, the county of Bucovina as well as in the South of the Danube (Serbia) : the well-known transhumance areas of the shepherds since immemorial times. Selection and improvement have lead to the actual type. The breed is successfully used both for defending the flocks and herds and as watchdogs for households in the mentioned regions.

General appearance

Large sized dog; commanding, haughty and proud. The breed has an obvious sexual dimorphism.

Important proportions

The length of the body is slightly superior to the height at the withers. The length of the skull is equal to the length of the muzzle.

Behaviour / temperament

Balanced, calm and loyal, he likes children. It is a very good guardian for flocks, courageous and a real fighter against the possible animals of prey (bear, wolf, and lynx). It has a strong bark. When strangers or animals approach, its barking is very strong, with a low tonality. During the night, it patrols around the household or the flock/herd.

Head
Cranial region
Head		Massive but not heavy, slightly higher than the topline.
Skull		Moderately wide, slightly domed. The upper profile of the skull and muzzle are slightly divergent. Viewed from the front, the skull is slightly domed, seen from the side it is almost flat. Skull width: males 16-18 cm, females 15-17 cm, zygomatic arches are moderately developed. Occipital protuberance is slightly evident.
Stop		Slightly pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		Large, well developed, black.
Muzzle		Blunt, of the same length as the skull; well developed, narrowing progressively towards the nose but never pointed; strong mandible.
Lips		Thick and tight, strong pigmentation.
Jaws and teeth		Strong jaws; complete dentition, strong, healthy and white teeth, well set; scissor bite. Pincer bite is tolerated.
Cheeks		Not prominent.
Eyes		Small related to the head; almond-shaped and obliquely, brown or slightly light but never yellow. Eyelids well pigmented.
Ears		Relatively high set, “V” shaped with slightly rounded tip, pendent and carried close to cheeks. Cropping is prohibited.

Neck

Medium length, large and strong, without dewlap.

Body
Body		Good stamina.
Topline		Horizontal.
Withers		Slightly evident.
Back		Strong and muscular.
Loin		Muscular and strong.
Croup		Muscular and moderately inclined towards base of tail.
Chest		Broad and deep, descending to elbows.
Ribs		Well sprung ribs.
Underline and belly		Slightly ascendant.

Tail

High set-on. At rest, it is pendent; reaching to or lower than the hock; when the dog is alert or in action the tail is raised up to the level of the back or slightly above it, with slight upward curve, but never curled over the back. Docking is prohibited.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Upright, seen from the front or the side.
Shoulders		Long, oblique, well muscled and firmly attached to the body. Scapular-humeral angle approximately 100-110°.
Upper arm		Moderately long, muscular.
Elbows		Close to the body, free movement.
Forearm		Strong, not too long.
Carpal		Strong.
Pastern		Short, slightly slanting.
Forefeet		Oval, compact and massive, toes tight and arched, black or ashen nails.

Hindquarters
Generality		Muscular and strong, normal in stance.
Upper thigh		Medium long, wide, very muscular.
Lower thigh		Moderately long, muscular.
Stifle		Femoral-tibia angle is aprox. 110°.
Metatarsus		Strong and upright. The presence of dewclaws should not be penalized.
Hock		Wide, viewed from the side, moderate angulation. Seen from behind, parallel to median plane of body.
Hind feet		Oval, compact and strong, with black or ashen nails.

Gait and movement

Harmonious, elastic, well coordinated, giving the impression of effortless power. Preferred gait is the trot. Crossover will be penalized.

Skin

Thick, close fitting, dark-ashen pigmentation.

Coat
Hair		Head and the front part of the legs are covered with short hair. On the body, hair is abundant, long (6-9 cm), flat, straight and rough. Undercoat is shorter, very dense and supple, and of a lighter colour. At the neck region, hair is much longer forming a mane; on the backside of the forequarters, the hair forms fringes; on the backside of hindquarters, the hair is longer and forms culottes. The tail is bushy.
Colour		Classical colour : Main colour of coat is a clear white or white-beige with distinct patches of grey, black or black with red-fawn reflections. Black or grey ticks can appear on the legs. Brindle aspect of patches to be rejected. Solid colours : Solid coloured subjects (without patches) are accepted but not encouraged: white, white-beige, ashen-grey or black.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males 68-78 cm, ideal 71-75 cm, females 64-72 cm, ideal 66-68 cm. Tolerance : - 4 cm.
Weight		In proportion to height.

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

Lack of substance or too heavy.

Not sufficient sexual character.

Absence of 1 tooth other than P1.

Cropped ears.

Docked tail.

Overweight or weak subject.

Faulty hair or short hair (under 6 cm).

Hair too long (over 9 cm).

The absence of mane, or fringes on the legs.

Tail curled or carried in a ring.

Flabby toes, toeing in or out.

Elbows turning out.

Heavy gait.

Serious faults

Untypical expression.

Round, protruding eyes.

Erect ears.

Top line sagging or dipping.

Hair too short.

Curly coat or bad texture.

Yellow eyes.

Different colour of eyes (heterochromatic).

Cow hocked.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy.

Not typical subject.

Overshot or undershot bite.

Absence of incisors or canines.

Albinism.

Naturally absent or atrophic tail.

Height under 64 cm or over 82 cm (for males).

Height under 60 cm or over 78 cm (for females).

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: Also available:; Last Updated: 29 January 2024; Hits: 360

Southeastern European Shepherd