Auvergne Sheepdog

		Auvergne Sheepdog
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			France
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
Group			Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle dogs)
Section			Section 1 Sheepdogs
Working			With working trial
Date of publication of the official valid standard			Wednesday 01 August 2018
En français, cette race se dit			Chien berger d'Auvergne
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar			Auvergne Schäferhund
En español, esta raza se dice			Perro pastor de Auvernia
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd			Auvergne Herdershond

Usage

Sheepdog.

Preambule

It's not possible to speak of "purity" for this population, which has never been recognized, but some very strong physical characteristics enable us to draw up its portrait. All known Auvergne Shepherds have been carefully measured by a dog expert.
Based on our many observations, we were able to draw up the following standard.
A full explanation of the labeling process follows.

Brief historical summary

It's likely that, alongside recognized dog breeds, each region once had populations of dogs with no defined standard, which were mainly used for herding.
Until the early 1980s, the only sheepdog in Auvergne was a kind of "mongrel" with a variable coat but high intelligence.
It was gradually replaced by foreign breeds described as more efficient...

General appearance

A lupoid-type dog, with a light to fairly sturdy midline build, these dogs are solid but not heavy. Rustic in appearance.

Important proportions

The length of the body (point of shoulder / point of buttock) is slightly greater than the height at the withers.
The height of the ground/elbow should be greater than the height of the body (withers/sternum).

Behaviour / temperament

"Intelligent, versatile, easygoing" according to Auvergne Shepherd owners. Most Auvergne Shepherds have an assertive but very friendly character, while a few are more reserved, even suspicious of strangers. Energetic, they need to live outdoors.

Head
Cranial region
Head		The length of the muzzle (nose / stop) represents approximately ¾ of the length of the skull (stop occiput).
Skull		Rather narrow, may have a slight protuberance.
Stop		Slight.

Facial region
Nose		Broad, dark. The presence of a minority of ladre on the nose can be accepted; for merle-coated dogs, it is said to be "marbled". Complete depigmentation of the nose should be avoided.
Muzzle		Tapered, neither narrow nor pointed.
Lips		Only slightly pendulous. The upper lip should overlap the lower lip without curling.
Jaws and teeth		Complete set of teeth. Scissor bite. Pincer bite is acceptable.
Eyes		Expressive, round, yellow, orange or hazel. Blue, minnow or particolored eyes are permitted.
Ears		Moderately broad at the base, triangular in shape and of medium length. Generally carried semi-erect, they may be straight or drooping.

Neck

Muscular, harmoniously linked to the shoulders.

Body
Topline		Sustained, level and firm from withers to hips.
Withers		Slightly protruding.
Croup		Slightly sloping.
Chest		Well developed, descending to elbow level.

Tail

Present, generally carried saber- or scimitar-shaped. Anuran or brachyuran dogs are accepted.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Straight and lean.
Forefeet		Oval-shaped feet.

Hindquarters
Generality		The hindquarters may be a little panned, but this should not be a hindrance to the dog.
Hind feet		Oval-shaped feet. Hindlegs may not have dewclaws.

Gait and movement

The gait is regular, ample and supple. In motion, the feet are never very high, the dog skims the ground. More of a trotter than a galloper.

Coat
Hair		Thick and coarse over the entire body. Short, rarely medium-long or harsh, never long.
Colour		All colors are acceptable, with or without variegation. White should not be overpowering.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Currently referenced: For males: 50 to 58 cm at withers, for females: 45 to 53 cm at withers. Quality must not be sacrificed for size (tolerances are accepted, but are studied on a case-by-case basis).

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.

Serious faults

Aggressive or timid dog.

Heavy, lacking liveliness.

Too light-boned.

Stop with too pronounced a break or none at all.

Square muzzle, too pointed.

Lack of pigmentation of nose and/or lips.

Depigmented eyelids.

Overshot or undershot mouth.

Tail curled over or above the loins.

Woolly, curly, long coat.

Invasive white.

Abnormalities

Upper or lower prognathism or malformation of the jaws.

Monorchidism, cryptorchidism.

No labeling

Aggressive or timid dog.

Lack of type : Insufficiency of ethnic characteristics which means that the animal as a whole does not sufficiently resemble its congeners of the same breed.

Size not within standard limits, with tolerance for exceptional subjects.

Particular points in the type.

Non-compliance with "important proportions".

Serious morphological anomaly.

Identifiable crippling tare.

Coat : Invasive white.

Nose, eyelids, lips depigmented.

Heavy and/or fringed ears.

Tail curled over or above the loins.

Woolly, curly, long coat.

Important

CAUTION for breeders : do not cross a merle dog with a merle bitch. Because of this gene, there is a risk of homozygous merle puppies appearing in the litter, which will be very white and carry malformations (blindness, deafness...). Always cross a merle with a non-carrier dog (fawn or black, for example).
Also note: on a lightly blackened fawn coat, the black markings fade as the puppy grows, sometimes so much so that the dog appears perfectly fawn in adulthood. As a result, it becomes impossible to spot that the dog carries the merle gene, since it only degrades black and brown pigments. In the case of a fawn puppy with a low level of charcoal, it's important to note whether the coat is merle or not, in order to avoid homozygous matings.

Labeling

To be registered in the Chien Berger d'Auvergne herd book managed by ASCBA, dogs must pass a labeling test.

What is labellisation?
Labellisation is a series of 3 tests to ensure that the dog meets sufficient criteria to belong to the "Chien Berger d'Auvergne" population.
The 3 tests are as follows :
A sociability test to assess the dog's stability (character); A morphological examination based on a visual assessment to check conformity with the standard set by the ASCBA; A practical herding examination consisting of a series of tests to assess the dog's natural instinct in the presence of the herd.

Obtaining the label entitles the dog to breed and to be registered in the Chien Berger d'Auvergne herd book managed by ASCBA. Descendants of dogs awarded the label by the association must in turn pass the same test. Only dogs that have obtained the label can claim the appellation "Chien Berger d'Auvergne".

Details of the label :
Tests are open to all dogs aged at least 12 months. The results are sent to the owner by e-mail or post, once the label has been awarded and the labeling commission has made its decision. The herd test can be carried out on sheep or cattle. Owners can choose to take part in the test of their choice, or in both (which is strongly encouraged).

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.

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Auvergne Sheepdog