"New" NI breed standard, anyone care to discuss, co my head is spinning!!

Correct!!

Well the temperament has changed from being submissive when challenged, to friendly and outgoing!! No general characteristics and no real overall appearance. Heads, well a slight dome on the skull with flat cheeks, really?????

At a guess, I would imagine that the standard was based on JK's dog/s, perhaps somebody could confirm that? Either way if it is conformed like that standard is written, then Im afraid it must be in real trouble.

In all honestly they should of consulted somebody who at least has basic canine conformation knowledge, there isnt a shortage of such folk in the world and its a shame as anyone with any dog knowledge will just laugh at this when in fact it could of been a new start.

Personally, I find it ... disconcerting? that I have a NI, NIS registered, and now suddenly there's a new standard? What about all the (duly registered with the NIS) dogs that now will not conform? Shall they all be spayed/neutered lest they muddy the waters of the NI strain?

Arthur

Im so so dumb when it comes to breed standards and dont actually understand a lot of the termonology (sp) so has anyone got a pic of a breed standard dog so I can understand what the breed standard is?

I did suggest using a wolf as a model for the breed standard, but was ignored

its not necessarily a NEW standard...but more of an UPDATED standard...as the breed grows and develops more conformity, then i would assume that the standards would reflect the "standard type" of the majority of the dogs...and as they are still trying eliminate some physical characteristics so that they look more "wolf-like" or whatever, such as a curled tail, then that would be added to the standard as a "fault"...and no, they wouldn't all be spayed or neutered...but someone wanting to breed should look at studs that would balance out any faults....so you have a bitch with a super curly tail...look for a stud who has produced pups with nice straight tails....

I am no expert on such matters, but that is how I read into it...

That goes for any breed standard and the breeding of any dogs Lunakitty. What this "new" standards describes is impossible. How can a dog have well sprung ribs with flat sides? Flexible pasterns? Every dog on the planet that has normal movement has flexible pasterns other wise its front legs would be fused!! Its like say "dog must have a head!"

There is no movement description but it states cow or sickle hocks are a fault, well surely if thats the case, something MUST describe how the animal should move?

Id stand no chance of asking these questions on the NI forum they wouldnt let me join, its a shame that some of them couldnt help people understand what they are trying to achieve by explaining on here. Id just like to see the dogs this standard is based on and why they were chosen, then look at this/these dogs and see how on this earth they are able to function.

Double post

I would not worry there can't be a dog that actually conforms. I would be pleased if yours does not.

It seems strange that the words used to describe the loin are from the N. Elk standard and the tail from the Sib do you think that was how it was decided upon. looking through the existing standards and picking out bits that fitted and then filling in the gabs.

If this is so it is not surprising they have produced something less than credible, they should have taken advice.

Would have thought they would have found half a dozen animals that everyone considered were what was being aiming for and then written a standard on each of them putting these results to their senior members and people outside the breed to comment on and then merge the agreed points.

As a matter of interest how was it done, must have been by the committee, you know what they say about the camel It is funny but we should not laugh, another chance to make themselves appear a serious club and they have failed again, because it seems they will not ask for or take the advice of those who know what they are doing.

Maybe one would expect the shiny new club breed adviser to answer these points then? After all, the subject is definitely at their door surely?

Arthur

Do you agree Nes, that dogs such as Sacha and your Thunder are now being seen as incorrect?

Changeing the standard would mean that any previous dogs would be incorrect...wouldn't it ?...
I would love to know what the perfect N.I is now though

This was my original point... I had thought that, on close examination, Shila was fairly conforming to the standard. Now I find the goalposts have no more moved but are in a different field - I realise perfection is impossible (else we would have nothing to aim for) but surely the standard cannot have been reached so quickly such that it needs "refining" already?

If the new standard cannot be found within the breed already then we are in for trouble, cross-breeding *again* will be the only way to get the required traits!

Arthur

Perhaps a simple statement as to aim is called for, one needs a reason for changing things so the reason must be available. True the old standard required clarification but this seems to be the very opposite.

Ambermile, If I were you I would be over the moon my dog did not conform to the new breed standard

I think Elaine that you will find the "new" standard is fitted around JK's dogs, I dont still see how they can be correctly described as to what has been written, but I know when I was asked to help she did say she would have a couple on hand to use.

Maybe, but what of the puppies (if there are to be any in the future)? What will they be?

Arthur

PS - I know JK is somewhat responsible for the breed initially but surely using your own dogs to write the standard is a bit off? That must mean only those dogs comply? And that they are "perfect in every way"?

If JK's dogs were used then either they are deformed or the people writing the standard have no idea what they are looking at, would suspect the latter.

Arthur, are you not a regular poster on the NIS forum? Just interested as you could raise these questions on there if you wouldnt mind?

Not any more I'm not...

Arthur