American Foxhound Standard (Masters of Foxhounds Association USA)
- The American Foxhound has unique physical characteristics singular to its own
- breed. Hounds in hard running condition should be given preference over those that
- are out of shape, too thin or too heavy.
- HEAD
- A. Skull
- Ideal: The skull should be fairly long with the cranium broad and full, slightly
- domed at occipital area adjoining the neck.
- Faults: A very flat skull; narrow across the top; excess of dome.
- B. Ears
- Ideal: Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly to the tip
- of the nose; fine in texture; fairly broad; with almost entire absence of erectile
- power; setting close to the head with the forward edge turning in slightly toward the
- cheek; round at tip.
- Faults: Ears short; set on high, or with tendency to rise above the point of origin.
- C. Eyes
- Ideal: Eyes large, set well apart; soft and hound-like; expression gentle and
- pleading; any color.
- Faults: Eyes sharp and terrier-like or prominent and protruding.
- D. Muzzle
- Ideal: Muzzle of fair length; straight and square cut; the stop moderately defined.
- Faults: Muzzle long and snippy; cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short;
- parrot mouth or undershot mouth; Roman nosed, or upturned giving a dish face
- expression.
- BODY
- A. Neck and Throat:
- Ideal: Neck of medium length rising free and light from the shoulders, strong in
- substance yet not loaded. The throat clean and free from folds of skin.
- Faults: A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulder.
- Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed “throatiness.”
B. Shoulders, Chest and Ribs:
Ideal: Shoulders sloping; clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded, conveying the image
of freedom of action with activity and strength. Chest should be deep for lung space,
narrower in proportion to depth, 28 inches in a 23 inch hound being good. Well
sprung ribs; back ribs should extend well back; a three-inch flank allowing
springiness.
Faults: Straight, upright shoulders; chest disproportionately wide or with lack of
depth. Flat ribs.
C. Back & Loin:
Ideal: Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Loins broad and slightly arched.
Faults: Very long or swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loins.
FORE-LEGS AND FEET
A. Fore-Legs:
Ideal: Straight, with fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight.
Faults: Out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs
crooked.
B. Feet
Ideal: Fox-like, pad full and hard. Well arched toes; strong nails.
Faults: Feet long, open and spreading
HIPS, THIGHS, HINDLEGS AND FEET
A. Hips and Thighs:
Ideal: Strong and muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles
strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent. Feet close
and firm.
Faults: Cow hocks or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open
feet. Any male with less than two testicles must be automatically eliminated.
TAIL
A. Tail
Ideal: Set moderately high; well developed, strong, carried well, with slight upward
curve and with good brush.
Faults: A long tail. Tea pot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail, entire
absence of brush. Any hound with a docked tail shall be automatically eliminated.
COAT
A. Coat
Ideal: A hard hound coat of medium length.
Faults: A short thin coat or a coat of soft quality
HEIGHT
A. Height
Ideal: It is preferred that dogs not be under 22 or over 26 inches and that bitches
not be under 21 or over 25 inches. If a hound is measured, the measurement should
be made across the back at the point of the withers, while the hound is standing in a
natural position with his feet well under him. A foxhound within the height
standard shall be given preference over a hound outside the height standard, if the
two are equal in confirmation.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.
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Beagle Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Beagle has been referred to as "a foxhound in miniature." A smooth, short-haired hound, slightly longer than tall. Ears lay close to the head. Usually tri-color (black, white and tan), but all typical hound color combinations are acceptable. Because the Beagle is first and foremost a hunting hound, scars (the result of honorable wounds) shall not be considered faults nor shall they be penalized by Judges. This includes cuts, nicks, notches on the ears, and/or ears that are frayed at the edges from working in brush, tall grass, etc.
CHARACTERISTICS
An independent personality is a generalization of most hounds, although individuals may vary. Has a good hound voice. Usually friendly disposition. Can make a good house pet or outside dog.
HEAD & SKULL
The skull is fairly long. It is slightly domed at the occiput. The cranium is broad and full. The muzzle is of medium length. It is straight, and square cut, with the stop moderately defined. TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. EYES - The large eyes are set well apart. They have a soft, hound-like expression; gentle and pleading. They are brown or hazel in color. EARS - The ears are set moderately low, setting close to the head. The forward edge turns slightly into the cheek. They are long reaching when drawn out, extending nearly to the end of the nose. They are fine in texture. The ears are fairly broad and rounded at the tip; with almost no erectile power.
NECK
The medium-length neck rises free and light from the shoulders. It is strong in substance, yet not loaded. The throat is clean and free of folds of skin. A slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw is acceptable. Faults: A thick, short neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulder. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin, termed "throatiness."
FOREQUARTERS
The clean, muscular, sloping shoulders convey the idea of freedom of action with activity and strength. They are not heavy nor loaded. FORELEGS - The straight forelegs have plenty of bone in proportion to the size of the hound. The pasterns are short and straight. Faults: Straight, upright shoulder. Out at the elbows. Knees buckled or bent backwards. Crooked or bowed forelegs.
BODY
The chest is deep and broad, but not so much as to interfere with the free play of the shoulders. The back is muscular and strong. The broad loins are slightly arched. The well-sprung ribs provide an abundance of lung room. Faults: Disproportionately wide chest. Lack of chest depth. Very long, swayed, or roached back. Flat, narrow loins. Flat, narrow ribs.
HINDQUARTERS
The strong, well-muscled hips and thighs provide an abundance of propelling power. HIND LEGS - The stifles are strong and well let down. The firm, symmetrical hocks are moderately bent.
FEET
The feet are close, round, and firm. The pads are full and hard. Faults: Long feet. Open, spreading feet.
TAIL
The tail is set moderately high. It is carried gaily over the back with a slight curve, not turned forward. It is short as compared with the size of the hound, and has a brush.Faults: A long tail. Excessive curve. Inclined forward from the root. Rat tail with absence of brush.
COAT
The Beagle has a close, hard, hound coat of medium length.
COLOUR
All typical hound colour combinations. No solid colours are acceptable.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Not to exceed 16 inches. Height is measured across the shoulders at the highest point (withers), with the hound standing in a natural position, with its feet well under it, not leaning forward or backward.
ELIMINATING FAULTS
(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.) Over 15 inches in height.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Overshot bite. Undershot bite. (Overshot or undershot is defined as having a visible gap between the upper and lower teeth.) Albinism. Deaf. Blind.
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Harrier Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Harrier is a smaller version of the English Foxhound. It is 19 to 21 inches at the shoulders. It is solidly built and should have as much bone and substance as possible without being coarse or heavy. Any good hound color is acceptable and the breed has a natural ear and tail.
CHARACTERISTICS
A hound pack animal, therefore aggressiveness towards other dogs is not tolerated. Temperament is outgoing and friendly.
HEAD
Head should be of medium size, with a good bold forehead. Its size should be in proportion to the dog. The same length from the stop to occiput as the stop to the nose. SKULL - Quite large and rather broad, with no prominence of occiput, and a slight stop. MUZZLE - Approximately the same length as the skull. Never square, instead tapering towards the nose but not snipy. The nasal bridge is straight. The lips cover the lower jaw. TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors or a level bite. EYES - Well open and dark in color with a frank, lively and intelligent expression. Lighter eye color in the lighter colored dogs is acceptable. NOSE - Well developed and black. EARS - V-shaped, quite short, almost flat and set on rather high.
NECK
Long, strong, well attached and slightly arched.
FOREQUARTER
The shoulders are long, oblique and muscular without being loaded or heavy. FORELEGS - Long, straight and parallel. The elbows are set away from the ribs. The legs have the slightest tendency to knuckle over, without any exaggeration. There is strong bone that continues down to the foot.BODY
In proportion, the body is slightly longer than tall. The chest is deep, with well sprung ribs that run well back. The topline is level and the back is straight and muscular. The loin is strong and slightly arched. There is little tuck up.HINDQUARTERS
Angulation in balance with the front assembly, so that the rear drive is in harmony with the front reach. Well-developed muscles provide strength for long hours of work. Endurance is more important than pure speed. HIND LEGS - The stifles are only moderately angulated to provide the endurance. The hocks are close to the ground. The rear pasterns are vertical.FEET
Feet point straight ahead, are round and catlike; with toes set close together, and thick, well-developed pads.
TAIL
Long, set on high, and carried up from 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock, depending on the attitude. It tapers to a point with a brush of hair. The tail should not be curled over the back.
COAT
Short, dense, hard and glossy. Coat texture is finer on the ears than on the body. There is a brush of hair on the underside of the tail.
COLOUR
Any good hound colour. Color not regarded as very important. Disqualification: Albinism.
SIZE
The height at the withers is 19 to 21 inches.
GAIT
There is perfect coordination between the front and rear legs. Drive and reach are consistent with the desired moderate angulation. Action is straight coming and going. Side gait is more important than clean coming and going. The side gait should be smooth, efficient and ground covering.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.
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Coonhound Standard
General Appearance
The Coonhound is first and fundamentally a working dog,
capable of withstanding the rigours of winter, the heat of summer, and
the difficult terrain over which he is called upon to work. Judges are
asked by the club sponsoring the breed to place great emphasis upon
these facts when evaluating the merits of the dog.
The general impression should be that of power, agility, and alertness.
His expression should be alert, friendly, eager, and aggressive. He should
immediately impress one with his ability to cover the ground with powerful
rhythmic strides.
Size
Measured at the shoulder: males, 25-27 inches (64-69 cm); females, 23-
25 inches (58-64 cm). Height should be in proportion to general
conformation so the dog appears neither leggy nor close to the ground.
Dogs oversized should not be penalized when general soundness and
proportion are in favour.
Coat and Colour
The coat should be short but dense to withstand rough going. The colour varies as to the specific breed of coonhound.
Head
The head should be cleanly modelled, with medium stop occurring
midway between occiput and nose. The head should measure from 9-10
inches (23-25 cm) in males and from 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) in females.
Viewed from the profile the line of the
skull is on a practically parallel plane to the foreface or muzzle. Skull should tend toward oval outline.
Nostrils well open and always black.
Teeth should fit evenly with slightly scissors bite.
Eyes should be from hazel to dark brown in colour, almost round and not deeply set.
Ears should be low set and well back. They should hang in graceful folds giving the dog a majestic appearance. In
length they should extend well beyond the tip of the nose. The skin
should be devoid of folds or excess dewlap. The flews should be well
developed with typical hound appearance.
Neck
The neck should be muscular, sloping, medium length.
Forequarters
Shoulders powerfully constructed. The forelegs should be straight, with
elbows well let down, turning neither in nor out; pasterns strong and
erect. Feet should be cat-like with compact, well-arched toes and thick
strong pads.
Body
The back should be level, powerful and strong, with a visible slope from
withers to rump. The chest should be deep. The dog should possess full,
round, well-sprung ribs, avoiding flat-sidedness.
Hindquarters
Quarters should be well boned and muscled. From hip to hock long and
sinewy, hock to pad short and strong. Stifles and hock well bent and not
inclining either in or out. When standing on a level surface, the hind feet
should set back from under the body, and leg from pad to hock be at
right angles to the ground when viewed both from profile and the rear.
Tail
Should be strong, with base slightly below level of backline, carried free,
and when in action, at approximately right angle to back.
Gait
The stride of the Coonhound should be easy and graceful
with plenty of reach in front and drive behind.
Faults
Judges should penalize the following defects: undersize, elbows out at
shoulder, lack of angulation in hindquarters, splay feet, sway or roach
back, flat-sidedness, lack of depth in chest, yellow or light eyes, shyness
and nervousness. Dewclaws are a fault. White on chest or other parts of
body is highly undesirable.
Disqualification
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.
White on chest or other parts of the body if it exceeds 1-1/2 inches (4
cm) in diameter.
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Trinbago Hunting Cur Standard
General Appearance
The Trinbago Hunting Cur is a powerful, agile tree dog of small to medium size. The body is just slightly longer than tall. Legs are long enough to allow the dog to move quickly and with agility in rough terrain. The head is broad with a moderate stop, and a muzzle slightly shorter than the length of skull. Ears are drop and the tail is straight, set low, and of any length, including a natural bob. The coat is dense but close fitting. The Treeing Cur should be evaluated as a working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work. Scars should neither be penalized nor regarded as proof of a dog’s working abilities.Characteristics
The Treeing Cur is a fast, hard hunter that finds game using its eyes, ears and nose. They may be open, semi-open, or silent on track with a good change at the tree. Treeing Curs are alert and easily trained. In addition to being outstanding tree dogs, they are also good watchdogs and excellent family companions.
Head
The head is broad but proportionate to the size of the body. When viewed from the side, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull and joined by a definite stop. The planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel. SKULL – The skull is flat and broad, tapering slightly toward the muzzle. Cheeks are muscular and prominent. MUZZLE – The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull, moderately broad with a well-defined underjaw. Lips are tight with no flews, and are darkly pigmented. TEETH – The Treeing Cur has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite. NOSE – Nose is square with well-opened nostrils. Pigment can black or pink in color. EYES – Eyes are medium to large in size, set wide apart with inner and outer corners on the same horizontal line. Brown eye color is preferred but yellow, green, or blue is acceptable. Eye rims are tight and black. EARS – Drop ears, of short to medium length, wide at the base, and set high Disqualification: Erect ears.
Neck
The neck is slightly arched, strong, very well muscled, and of moderate length. The neck gradually widens from the nape and blends smoothly into the shoulders.
Forequarters
Shoulders are well laid back. The upper arm is long and wide, and forms an apparent 90-degree angle with the shoulder blade. FORELEGS - The forelegs are well muscled with strong bone. The elbows are set close to the body, but able to move freely in action. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible.Body
A properly proportioned Trinbago hunting Cur is just slightly longer than tall. Back is broad, strong, of moderate length, and level, blending into a muscular, slightly arched loin with slight to moderate tuck up. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung out from the spine, then curving down and inward to form a deep body. The brisket extends to the elbow. Viewed from the front, the chest between the forelegs is muscular and well filled. This is a dog bred for stamina and faults should be penalized to the degree that they detract from that goalHindquarters
The hindquarters are strong and muscular. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. HIND LEGS - The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground, and viewed from the rear, parallel to one another.Feet
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The Trinbago Hunting Cur has a cat foot, of moderate size, compact and well arched. Pads are large, tough, and well cushioned.
Tail
The tail is set low and either naturally bobbed or of any length.Coat
The outer coat is short to medium in length, and may be smooth(slick) or hard, wire haired (babsal) in texture. Undercoat is short, dense, and soft.Color
Any color, color pattern or combination of colors is acceptable. Disqualification: Albinism.Height and Weight
Height ranges between 18 to 24 inches. Weight is 30 to 60 pounds, proportionate to
height. Trinbago Hunting Curs are working dogs and should be presented in hard, muscular condition.
height. Trinbago Hunting Curs are working dogs and should be presented in hard, muscular condition.
Gait
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Trinbago Hunting Cur gait is smooth and effortless, with good reach of forequarters. Rear quarters have strong driving power, with hocks fully extending. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Erect ears. Albinism. Deafness. Blindness. Overshot bite. Undershot bite.- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Standard for Trinbago Hunting Feist Terrier
General Appearance
The Trinbago Hunting Feist is an agile, active, small tree dog. The body is slightly longer than tall. Regardless of the size of the individual dog, the legs must be long enough to allow the dog to move quickly and with agility in rough terrain. The head is blocky, with a broad skull, a moderate stop, and a strong muzzle. The tail is straight, set on as a natural extension of the topline, and may be natural or docked. The coat is short and smooth. The Trinbago Hunting Feist should be evaluated as a working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to work. Scars should neither be penalized nor regarded as proof of a dog's working abilities.
Characteristics
Trinbago Hunting Feists are used most frequently to hunt tattou, agouti, iguana and manicou. They hunt using both sight and scent and are extremely alert dogs. On track, they are virtually silent.
Head
The head is proportionate to the size of the body. When viewed from the side, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull and joined by a definite stop. The planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel. SKULL - The skull is flat and broad, tapering slightly toward the muzzle. Cheeks are muscular, but not over-developed. MUZZLE - The muzzle is long and sufficiently broad and deep to balance the skull. Lips are tight. Lip pigment matches nose pigment and eye rims. TEETH - The Trinbago Hunting Feist has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. NOSE - Nose color is black or self-colored. EYES - Eyes are brown, ranging from dark to amber. Eye rims match nose pigment. EARS - Ears are set at the outside edges of the skull and may be erect or button, but not pendulous.
Neck
Forequarters
Shoulders are well laid back. The upper arm is long and forms an apparent 90-degree
angle with the shoulder blade. The forelegs are strong, straight, and moderately well
boned. The elbows are set close to the body, but able to move freely in action. The pasterns areshort, powerful, slightly sloping and flexible. "Bench legs" chondrodystrophy is not acceptable.
Body
A properly proportioned Trinbago Hunting Feist is slightly longer than tall. Chest is moderately wide and deep, with the brisket reaching to the elbow. Ribs are well sprung and extend well back. Back is of moderate length, and level, blending into a muscular, slightly arched loin with slight to moderate tuckup.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong and muscular. The bone, angulation, and musculature of
the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The stifles are well bent, and the
hocks are well let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are
perpendicular to the ground, and viewed from the rear, parallel to one another.
Feet
The feet are round, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned.
Dewclaws may be removed.
Tail
The tail is set on at the end of the croup. The natural tail is thick at the base and
tapers toward the tip or it may be a natural bob. When the dog is alert, the tail is
carried in an upward curve. When relaxed, the tail may be carried straight out behind
the dog
Coat
The coat is short, dense, and smooth. Disqualification: Long or shaggy coat.
Color
Any color or color pattern. Disqualification: Albinism.Height and Weight
Height ranges between 10 to 15 inches. Weight ranges between 12 and 30 pounds. Trinbago Hunting Feists are working dogs and should be presented in hard, muscular condition.
Gait
Trinbago Hunting Feist gait is smooth and effortless, with good reach of forequarters. Rear quarters have strong driving power, with hocks fully extending. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward centerline of balance. This breed is capable of great bursts of speed when needed.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Long or shaggy
coat. Albinism. Deafness. Blindness. Overshot bite. Undershot bite.
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