Carolina Dog

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Carolina Dog is a dog of medium build, possessing the general appearance of a small jackal or wolf, in combination with many of the features of a small sighthound The distinctive features of the breed are those which confer survival advantage under free-living conditions in tall grass Savannah and bottom land swamp forest habitats of the southeastern United States. The dog typically has a medium length straight back with a distince waist which sets off a deep brisket from a high tucked up loin. The tail is distinctive in both its fishhook like configuration and its variable carriage depending on mood. The large upright ears and long graceful neck are also distinctive and suggest he appearance of a small, versatile and resourceful predator well adapted to surviving on its own in natural habitat. In ideal conditions, a Carolina Dog should appear thin and "tight." It would not to be inappropriate for example for the ribs to show slightly as in a well conditioned racing sighthound. Individuals that are greatly overweight should be severely penalized. The dog should be shown in a natural condition with little or no evidence of grooming or scissoring. Vibrissse should not be amputated. TEMPERAMENT: A generally shy and suspicious nature is characteristic of the breed but excessive fear and any resistance to examination is not desirable. No individual should be expected to be friendly and outgoing nor to enjoy physical contact with strangers. Out ward aggression, however, is a major fault. HEAD AND SKULL: The skull is strong and impressive. Broad between the ears and moderately rounded with ample muscling, there is a distince furrow extending down to between the eyes, with the forehead being slightly rounded. There is a distince occipital peak and a slight but distince stop, the shill tapering to a strong, distinctively pointed muzzle. The length of the muzzle should be approximately equal to the length of the cranial portion of the skull. Viewed from above, the head should form a wide triangle, the tapering of the muzzle being accentuated by the highly developed jaw muscles. The jaw are powerful, clean and deep. The lips are tight fitting and buck The teeth are well developed, even, and meet in a scissor or level bite. Undershot or overshot bites should be severely penalized. The nose should be black with large well opened nostrils. Liver, pink or partly colored noses should be considered a minor fault. Younger dogs often show a distinctive fine wrinkling on the forehead giving a frown effect. EYES: The eyes are almond shaped, set obliquely and dark brown in color. Eye rims should be black and unbroken. Overall expression is one of softness and intelligence, but highly cautious. EARS: The ears are distinctive, expressive and versatile in carriage. They should be slightly rounded at the tip, erect when alerted but can be carried folded back along the neck They should be set well on top of the head and be fine in texture and slightly forward pointing. A characteristic position is for one ear to be firmly pricked and the other to rotate sensitively to pick up sounds. Ear placement is more important than size, but it is essential that they be forward pointed and set on top of the head The ideal ear should appear as an equilateral triangle, although the base may be slightly shorter than the ascending edges. Semi prick and DROP ears are permitted but should be penalized, according to the degree of deviation from a full upright configuration. NECK: The neck is notable in its strength and development. It is strongly crested, fitting well into the shoulders thus accentuating the crest to give the head a lofty carriage. The neck is graceful and swan like yet muscular and well arched, providing the animal with a means of making rapid and effective downward stabbing movements with the head when hunting in tall grass. Short or throaty necks are to be strongly penalized. FOREQUARTERS: The chest is narrow to medium in width with the brisket, deep, reaching to the elbows in mature specimens. The forelegs are straight with the forearms showing moderate bone and distinctive musculature. The pasterns should be a good length, moderately straight and flexible. The shoulders are long and well laid back with good length of forearm. While standing, the feet may be slightly turned out, but equally. The feet themselves should be moderately small and compact never splayed. Toes should be well arched with hard pads and strong nails. BODY: The back is strong and straight. It may be moderately long, but must have no suggestion of slackness, slightly rising over the loin. The chest cavity is well sprung, and is deep and with plenty of lung and heart loom. brisket ends in a definite waist with a well defined cut up. HINDQUARTERS: The hindquarters are strong, powerful and muscular. They should be set under the body, be well angulated and exhibit tremendous drive and agility thus enabling the dog to turn quickly while moving forward Thighs are thick strong, and well muscled almost as in a well conditioned racing sighthound. The hindquarters should be parallel when in gull gait. Rear dewclaws are desirable, but their absence should not be penalized. TAIL: Like the ears, the tail is a most expressive and characteristic feature of this breed. It is set on as a continuation of the spine, has moderate brush, but is most heavily haired on the underside which is always light colored or at least paler than the upper surface which may show some dark cabling. When alert, the tail is held in a characteristic "fish hook" carriage, usually at about a 45 degree angle from the horizontal. While Baiting at the trot, the tail is usually carried in a downward "pump handle" configuration. At other times, especially when being approached by strangers, the tail may be held low or tucked between the rear legs, but must never be slack or loose in its hang. Any tail which twists, curls or is held unduly forward over the back should be severely penalized. COAT: The coat is a distinguishing feature and is seasonal, the winter coat being distinctly heavier then the summer coat. Hair is short and smooth on the head, ears and front legs. There should be a wealth of undercoat in cooler months. Coarser and longer guard hens extend over the neck withers and back and when aroused, this hair stands erect. The coat behind the shoulder blades is often lighter in color. The skin is pliant, but not flabby or loose. Long curly, wavy or broken coats should be considered faulty. Animals showing excessive shedding at appropriate times of the year should not be penalized. COLOR: The preferred color is deep red ginger with pale buff marking over the shoulders and along the muzzle. Variations in color, grading from straw colored through wheaten to pale yellow or buff are also acceptable, but never all white. The above colors usually include lighter colors on the underside, chest and throat, sometimes nearly white on the latter. Some white on the toes is also common and not to be penalized. Dark sabling over the back loins and tail is also permissible and dogs less than two yeas of age often have all black muzzles although this is not required. Black and tan piebald spotting and black blanket back color patterns are also permitted but, all else being equal, are not to be economized. MOVEMENT: The gait should be low, free moving, effortless, and smooth. There should be a suggestions of flexibility in the back as would be expected for a small sighthound capable of a double suspension gallop. High, choppy or hackneyed gait should be strongly penalized. Other signs or unsound movement such as tendencies to toe in, toe out or moving too close behind should be similarly penalized. WEIGHT AND SIZE: The weight is dependent on the overall size and the, but varies from approximately 15 to 20 kilograms. At no time should the breed appear heavy bodied. Bitches are generally lighter in build than dogs, but the two sexes overlap broadly in both size and weight. HEIGHT: The height at the withers generally angles from 45-50 cm but can vary according to build. Type and symmetry are more important than size.