THE ROMANIAN SHEPHERDS DOGS MIORITIC & CARPATIN: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

OFFICIAL STANDARD FOR THE ROMANIAN SHEPHERD MIORITIC

Valid in 2004

Based on the Ordinance 17178/1998 issued by the Romanian Ministry for Food and Agriculture,the National Club of Romanian Shepherd Dogs - CNCCR - is the sole habilitated organisation recognized and authorised to issue and register the standard of the above mentioned breed, to receive, analyse and approve any proposal regarding the change of the standard and to inform about this all interested parties.
Arbitrations performed by referees not included on the CNCCR's official list based on standards not conforming with the present standard are considered nul and can not be mentioned in the Origin documents issued by the club - the international pedigrees- the only document recognised as proof of the origin and affiliation to this breed.

Country of Origin: Romania

Date of issue of the standard in force: 4 December 1998

Issuing organisation: National Club of Romanian Shepherd Dogs - CNCCR

Prepared by: The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest and CNCCR under the direct guidance of Dr. Jean Maurice Paschoud, President of the Standards Commission of the International Canine Federation ( FCI ) at the date of its issuance.

Classification according to the norms of FCI and AKC

Group II: Dogs type Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molosoids, Swiss Bouvier, mountain dogs.

Section 2.2.: Molossoids, mountain dogs. No working trial.

Brief historical summary: The Romanian shepherd dog MIORITIC is a natural, extremely old breed, spread all over Romania. This breed was able to survive and grow due to its physical and psychic abilities and also due to the exclusive interest of the Romanian shepherds in maintaining and developing the breed.
Its direct ancestor is the moloss dog brought on the current Romanian territory by the roman legions during the conquest of ancient Dacia by the Roman Empire. The moloss suffered various changes in time due to its mating with local dogs, especially with those with long, rich hair. The temperate continental climate, rich vegetation, large and numerous herds but also large and numerous predators, the movement of flocks, the excellent protection given by its hair, forming a thick armour, all of these, represent essential elements in the survival and development of the breed. The tribute paid for centuries by Valachia and Moldavia to the Otoman Empire, Russia or Poland and which mainly consisted of herds of animals, ensured the spread of the breed in areas around Romania. The best example is the Southern Russian Shephard, whose parent is the Romanian Shephard Mioritic but which was homologated before sue to political issues and the existing relationship at that time between communist Romania, the Soviet Union and FCI
Due to its impressive dimensions and its legendary courage and devotion and because the two Romanian breeds, Mioritic and Carpatin, were used in the army, some tried to limit the number of dogs watching the herds function of the number of animals in the herd. This was done by the Polish kings by imposing a law during Ieremia Movila, king of Moldavia and vassal of Poland ( 1595 – 1606 ).
The initial name of the dog was "barac" or "moustached", name under which they were presented for the first time in 1933 at an exhibition in Timisoara, by a German engineer. In the same year first attempts were made to draft a standard, published in various magazines, but not accepted by the Royal Romanian Association. During the communist years the breed, as well as the whole kennelling, entered a shadow period, the survival of the breed being achieved only due to the shephards' needs.
After 1973 - the year when the first Kennelling Association reappeared in Romania - the interest for the breed reappeared due to the offer made by some Australian tourists visiting Bucovina in 1980, to import 200 such dogs. In the same period of time, in Suceava, the first official attempt was made to standardize the breed under its current name: Romanian Shephard dog MIORITIC. Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge, the undermining of the activity by some local specialists and the financial unsatisfactory results led to the
failure of the first kennel of Romanian Shephard - "de Radauti"- despite the material and political support offered by the former dictator's sun, Nicu Ceausescu, himself the owner of a Romanian Shephard.

Moreover, the personal interests of breeders from Radauti, Bacau, Sibiu, Timisoara - some of them attempting to establish a new breed: Sibiu -, the contradictory and unconclusive competitional results due to wrong standard projects used as official standards, the lack of proffessionalism and the lack of unity within the Romanian kennelling, all of these led to the actual crisis of the breed shown through the appearance of atipycal samples: small dimensions, without hair on the muzzle or pad.
The first attempt to present the breed abroad belonged to the kennel "de Radauti" which tried to send several samples at an exhibition in Berlin but which failed to be officially presented due to the fact that the dogs arrived in Berlin one day later . However, the first official presentation of a sample belonging to this breed was done in 1995 at the European Championship held in Charleroi, Belgium and was followed by the first exhibition of the breed in 2000 at the World Championship in Milan, Italy and was achieved by the National Club of Romanian Shepherd dogs (CNCCR).
Re-standardization of the breed, for its international homologation, became absolutely necessary after 1996 due to the fatc that in that year the file sent to the International Kennelling Federation was rejected due to the fact that the file was wrongly drawn up. The necessary measurements were done in 1998 in Bucharest, on 236 sample dogs by specialists belonging to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine together with CNCCR, on the occasion of the first National Championship organised by CNCCR. The checking and drafting of the present standard form was done together with Mr. J.M. Paschoud, president of the
Standards Commission of the International Kennelling Federation, following an invitation to come to Bucharest in December 1998 for the finals of the national Championship, received from the Romanian President, Minister of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and CNCCR.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Big stature, molossoid type, compact and robust structure, strong skeleton, typical for molossoids, inspiring force and respect. Despite its massive stature, extremely agile, surprising its opponents through its precise and extremely movements. Resistant to diseases, climate and imporper feeding, making him easily adaptable to any type of habitat.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :

Length of muzzle smaller or at most equal to the length of cranial region (the posterior side of the muzzle).

BEHAVIOUR-TEMPERAMENT :

Calm, well balanced, especially when living in urban areas. Extremely devoted to its master, fearless.
Extremely attached to children, playful but extremely reserved with strangers. Its courage and devotion are legendary, facts attested by numerous tales and legends. The sole dog able to attack the bear with equal chances. Its strong personality does not represent an obstacle in its training but he will always remain the dog of only one master.

HEAD

Massive, fully covered with hair of an unifrom length.

1. CRANIAL REGION

Massive, wide firehead and prominent occiptal bone.

2. Stop: little marked

3. Nose: big, wide, black.

4. Muzzle: strong, right, narrowing towards the nose

5. Teeth/Bite: strong biting, well developed teeth scissor or pincer type, preferably scissor.
Lack of 2 premolars PM1 or 2 molars M3 is not sanctioned with the exclusion from reproduction.
Lips contour is black, the lips being slightly lowered towards the comisural back part of the mouth, not excesivelly though.

6. Eyes: almond-shaped, middle sized reported to the cranial region, slanting, hazel, with long eyelashes.
Specific for the breed is the black contour of the eyes and eyelashes.

7. Ears: Placed moderately high, not too big, triangular in shape, with slightly rounded extremities and hanging laterally on the cheeks. When the dog is attentive or in action, the ears keep a slight backwards position.
Cutting of ears is allowed for the dogs living in rural areas but it is not recommended to
breeders.

Neck: Strong and thick, medium in size, forms with the back line an angle of 40-45 degrees.
BODY:

Vigorous and strong, slightly lengthened, of rectangular shape, very well muscled

1. Withers: slightly prominent

2. Back: Very well muscled, wide and straight

3. Renal area: wide

4. Croup: falling away slightly, creating a flase impression of a wider measure in the posterior area.

5. Chest: wide, deep, well developed especially in the forefront area , going down to the elbows level which is however not overpassed.

6. Belly: slightly ascending.

7. Ribs: well arched and strong, ovoidal in shape.

Tail: set on pretty high, hanging down while resting, with its tip slightly up-curved. While in action or resting, it is not admitted curved or laying backwards. Tail cutting is allowed, although not advised, for dogs living in rural areas. It is not recommended to breeders.

FOREQUARTERS :

Face and profile, anterior members should be parallel, straight with massive, strong bones. The hair on the posterior members should not form "plumes". It should be uniform in length and density on the whole members' area.

1. Shoulder: the shoulder-blade is wide, slightly tilted backwards. It forms a scapulo-humeral angle of
app. 100 degrees.

2. Forearm: straight, very strong

3. Elbows: massive, close to the body

4. Carpus: Elastic joint, moreover lenghtened

5. Metacarpus: slightly lenghtened, strong, vertical

6. Front feet : Ovoidal in shape, compact and extremely massive, abundently covered with long hair.
7. Nails: strong, blak, slightly dull

8. Cuzinets: resistant, thick and black.

HINDQUARTERS :

Seen from the back, the posterior members stand parallel, with straight aplombs,
slightly opened angulation, strong skelleton and well developed muscles. Presence of spurs is not
considered a fault, their surgical elimination being however recommended at maturity due to their possible
interference in the dog's walking.

1. Metatarsus: Slightly lenghtened, strong, vertical

2. Jaret : placed not too high, its articulation more down placed.

3. Hind feet: massive and compact, ovoidal in shape slightly smaller than the front ones, abundently
covered with ling hair.

4. Nails: strong, black, white or grey

5. Cuzinets: resistant, thick and black.

Nota Bene: Male samples should have the two testicles fully descendent into the scrotum.

Aspect: One of the characteristic of the breed is the free movement, the members moving in parallel plans, in stretched stepping.
Another specificity in its stepping is the fact that due to its wide loins and croup, a
false impression is created that the posterior area is wider which differentiate the breed from other smaller ones.

Coating: another specific element of the breed. The general aspect are relatives to the natural places of living and the dog owner carre.
1. Hair: A characteristic element of the breed, being long (cca. 8-16 cms), abundant, rough, resistant, straight or slightly curled. It fully covers the body, head, neck, tail and members. The undercoat is thick and soft, especially during winter time, allowing a better ventilation of the skin. Depending on the season, on how well the dog is being taken care of, the hair can become fulled on smaller or wider areas; not advisable.

2. Colour: Predominant colour is white or violet-blue, with black spots (preferably), grey, brownish or yellowish. Black, brown-reddish or brown colours are not admitted. A coverage of up to 30% is admitted for black spots. Skin is pink bu it can sometimes be pigmented with small grey spots.

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

1. Height at Withers: Males at least 65 cm

Females at least 60 cm

No maximum height limit

2. Weight: Males at least 45 kg

Females at least 35 kg

No maximum weight limit

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.

The following faults shall be considered the basis for granting the following titles: "Excellent", " Very Good", "Admitted for reproduction", "Recommended for reproduction":
Deficiencies: Any deviation from the standard herein stated will be considered to be a deficiency and will be penalized depending on the size and importance of the deficiency.

The following defeciencies are considered to be the basic elements for receiving the qualificatives ‘Excellent’, ‘Very Good’, ‘Admitted for reproduction – R ( + )’,and ‘Recommanded for reproduction – R ( ++ )’:
less visible minor sexual characters
not typical aspect , fragile and robustlessness.
compactless head and /or body, wolfish aspect
position deficiencies
incorrect position of the tail
unrecommended colours of the hair
longer hair than normal around the neck and/or on the body and /or on limbs.
excessive aggressiveness in the ring or to refuse the teeth control
low level of presenting in the ring

Serious deficiencies: The following defeciencies are considered to be the basic element for receiving the qualificatives ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’, ‘Admitted only with controlled mating – R ( - )’.

not typical head
prognathism or brevignathism
the absence of another premolar, except the two PM1 or of another molar except the
two M3
pliers like bite
deficient aspect:’ bear like pow’, 'crap like back’, 'saddled back’
perfectly streight ears
massiveless limbs
long and thin bone structure
the inferior limit size
curly and longer black hair on a surface of 30% but no more than 60% of the whole
surface of the body
minor depigmentation on the truffle, lips and eyes.
Ocular heterochromaticity

Eliminatory deficiencies: The following defeciencies are considered to be the basic elements for receiving the qualificatives ‚Satisfactory’, ‚Unsatisfactory’ and „Excluded for
Reproduction – R ( -- )”
morphological elements that does not belonging to the breed
red-brown or brown colour
the size under the minimum standard
major depigmentation on the truffle, lips and eyes.
the lack of curly hair
monorhidy or cryptorhidy of the testicles

Note: In this way, we ask all the brench presidents to make this document public in the
local mass-media and to all those interested in it. In the future, it is recommended to be
visibly exposed there where the future contests will take place so as the public and the
dog owners would be better informed .

President of CNCCR

THE OFFICIAL STANDARD OF THE ROMANIAN SHEPHERD DOGS CARPATHIAN
VALID FOR 2004
Based on the Ordinance 17178/1998 issued by the Romanian Ministry for Food and the National Club of Romanian Shepherd Dogs - CNCCR, is the only official organization recognized and authorized to issue and register the standard of the hereupon mentioned breed, to receive, analyze and approve any proposal regarding the modification of the standard and to make it available for all interested parts.
Arbitrations performed by the referees not listed on the official list of the National Club of Romanian Shepherd Dogs and based on standards in accordance with the one herein stipulated, is considered to be null and false and can not be noted into the documents of origin issued by the CNCCR - the international pedigrees - the only documents recognized as a proof of the origin and affiliation to this breed.

Country of origin: Romania
Date of issue of the standard in force: 4th, December, 1998

Issuing organizaton: The National Club of the Romannian Shepherd Dogs -CNCCR- Bucharest, Dionisie Lupu Street, 47, sector1 , Romania.

Founded on the 13th, December, 1997.

Elaborated by: The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine ( FMV ) - University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine , Bucharest and The National Club of Romanian Shepherd Dogs - CNCCR, under the direct guidance and control of Dr. Jean Maurice Paschoud - President of the Standards Commission of the International Canine Federation ( FCI ) at the date of its issuance.

Classification according to the norms of the International Canine Federation - FCI and American Kennel Club - AKC:

Group II: Dogs Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossoids type, Swiss Bouvier, mountain dogs.

Section 2.2: Molossoids, mountain dogs.

No working trial.

Historical Summary:

The Romanian shepherd do is a natural and extremely old breed, spread throughout the

Romanian territory. This breed was able to survive and grow due to its special physical and psychic abilities, the interest of the Romanian shepherds in preserving and developing it and also due to the economic and climatic conditions of the country. Its direct predecessor is the molossus dog, which is considered to be brought on the Romanian territory by the Roman Legions, during the conquest of the ancient Dacia by the Roman Empire. This dog suffered several transformations in time due to the

mating with the local dogs or with the wolves which are very numerous on the Romanian territory. The temperate continental climate, rich vegetation, large and numerous flocks, fierce and various predators, the movement of the flocks on very long distances during the transhumance etc are considered to be very important elements in the development of this ancient natural breed. The tributes paid by the Romanian Principates to the Otoman Empire, Russian Empire and Polish Kingdom consisting of large herds and flocks assured the spreading of this breed in the neighboring territories of the country, as it happened to the Romanian shepherd dog-Mioritic. Due to its impressive size and to the fact that both breeds were used very successfully during the wars by the shepherds enrolled in the Romanian armies, it was taken into consideration the limitation of the number of these dogs according to the number of the animals in the respective flock. This was a law emitted by the Polish kings while Ieremia Movila was

the King of Moldova and vassal of the Polish Kingdom.

In the modern time, it was obvious an attempt of implementing a standardization project in the 1930s, published in the press of the time but without being registered by the Romanian Royal Association and the activity of the breeders from Radauti, Valeni, Bistrita, Sibiu, after 1973-the year when the first canine association in Romania was founded.

Unfortunately, the lack of information in this area, the personal vanity of some breeders who tried to set up a new breed- as in Sibiu, the contradictory and unconclusive results and the schism within the Romanian kenneling led to a real

critical situation of this breed. To restandardize it became compulsory and it was accomplished on a number of representative sample of over 200 specimens by a number of representatives of the Faculty of the Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest in 1998. The verification of the specimens was controlled by the president of the Standards Committee, representative of the International Canine Federation, Dr. Jean Maurice Paschoud, invited by the President of Romania, the Ministry of Food

and Agriculture, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest and CNCCR.

General Appearance : it is a big size dog, molossoid type, with a robust and compact structure and an almost square outline and strong bone structure, typical for molossoid dogs. It is resistant to diseases and difficult climatic conditions which makes it easy adaptable to any kind of habitat.

Important Proportions: the length of the muzzle is shorter or at least equal to the length of the skull (the posterior part of the muzzle). The general balance between the length of the body and the height of the withers must create the image of a very robust and compact structure.

Behavior and character: it has a calm and well balanced temperament especially in the urban locations, its devotion to its master can lead to sacrifice as it is not afraid of anything. It is resistant, easily educated and trained for guarding, easily adaptable to a new environment, but being moderate with the strangers. Becomes a real defender when his master or territory are attacked.

The head:

1. The skull: massive

2. The stop: slightly evident

3. The truffle: big, wide and black

4. Muzzle: strong, it slightly narrows to the top

5. The bite and teeth: strong bite, with well developed teeth, is „scissors” type. The absence of two premolars PM1 or two molars M3 has not as a result the exclusion from reproduction. The outline of the lips is black, being a little downward in the commisural part in the back of the mouth, but not excessively.

6. The eyes: quite small regarding the size of the skull, have an oblique position and a dark brown color. Specific for this breed is the black outline of the eye and eyelash .

7. The ears : upward positioned ,not very big, the shape of V letter, round at the end and lying down on the cheeks. Cutting is admitted for the dogs in the country side, is not recommended for the breeders.

8. The neck: strong and thick, medium length, has a 40-45 angle with the line of the back .

9. The body: vigorous and compact, very musculous .

1. Withers: slightly prominent .

2. Back: short, wide, straight.

3. Renal area: large and strong

4. Croup: short, wide, straight

5. Thorax: wide and well developed , especially anterior front, downward to the elbows that do not outrun on the side part.

6. Abdomen: slightly upward.

7. Ribs: strong and well curved.

8. Tail: placed quite upwards, at rest hanging down to the hock and the top is a little curved upwards. In action or in rest is not allowed to be kept curved or on the back. It is allowed the cutting of the tail of those dogs coming from the country side, but is not recommended for the breeders.

The front side: front and profile the forelimbs are straight, parallel with strong and massive bone structure. In the posterior side of the limbs, the hair forms „plumes”.

1. Shoulders: the shoulder blade forms a scapulo-humeral angle of about 100 degrees.

2. Forearm: strong, straight and not very long.

3. Elbows: the body. massive and against

4. Carpus: elastic joint and more lengthened .

5. Metacarpus: slightly forward inclined and short .

6. The anterior paws: have an oval shape, compact and very massive.

7. Nails: strong, black, white or grey colored and slightly blunted.

8. Bushings: resistant, thick and black .

The back side: from the back, the limbs are parallel, straight, with slightly opened angles, very strong bone and muscle structure. If some spurs can be present, this is not considered to be a deficiency, but it is recommended to be surgically removed, when it gets to maturity.

1. Metatarsal: slightly lengthened, strong and vertical.

2. Hock: not a very upward position, its joint being more downward.

3. The posterior paws: massive and compact, oval shape, smaller than the anterior ones.

4. Nails: strong, black, white or grey colored

5. Bushings: resistant, thick and black

Note: the males have to have the two testicles completely into the scrotum.

The allure: free and relaxed walking, limbs moving on parallel plans and the quick march assuring a well covering of the territory.

The robe:

1. The hair: excepting the head and the front side of the limps where is short and smooth, all the body is covered with abundant hair. The surface hair has medium size, straight and rough hair, but the underhair is thick and smooth. Around the neck and in the posterior side of the forelimbs is the longest hair that looks like mane or like plumes.

2. The colour: the most frequent is the grey one in different hues and nuances, having or not the black mask on the muzzle and white marks on the head, chest, limbs and also the white one with black spots. These are also the most preferred colors, but are also allowed blackish, grizzled, yellowish, purple hues, with or without spots of other colors, but are not allowed red-brown and brown colors.

Size and weight:

1. The height at the withers: - Male: minimum 65cm

- Female: minimum 60cm

There are no maximum limits for height.

2. The weight: - Male: minimum 45Kg

- Female : minimum 35Kg

There are no maximum limits for weight.

Deficiencies: Any deviation from the standard herein stated will be considered to be a deficiency and will be penalized depending on the size and importance of the deficiency. The following deficiencies are considered to be the basic elements for receiving the qualificatives “Excellent”, “Very Good”, “Admitted for reproduction”, and “Recommended for reproduction”:

- less visible minor sexual characters

- not typical aspect , fragile and robustlessness.

- compactless head and /or body, wolfish aspect

- position deficiencies

- incorrect position of the tail

- unrecommended colors of the hair

- longer hair than normal around the neck and/or on the body and /or on limbs.

- excessive aggressiveness in the ring or to refuse the teeth control

- low level of presenting in the ring

Serious deficiencies: The following deficiencies are considered to be the basic elements for receiving the qualificatives “Very Good”, “Good”, “Admitted only with controlled mating” .

- not typical head

- prognathism or brevignathism

- the absence of another premolar, except the two PM1 or of another molar except

the two M3

- pliers like bite

- deficient aspect: “bear like pow”, “crap like back”, “saddled back”

- perfectly streight ears

- massiveless limbs

- long and thin bone structure

- the inferior limit size

- curly and longer hair

- minor depigmentation on the truffle, lips and eyes.

- ocular heterochromaticity

Eliminatory deficiencies: The following deficiencies are considered to be the basic elements for receiving the qualificatives “Satisfactory”, “Unsatisfactory” and „Excluded for reproduction”

- morphological elements that do not belong to the breed

- red-brown or brown color

- the size under the minimum standard

- major depigmentation on the truffle, lips and eyes.

- monorhidy or cryptorhidy of the testicles

Note: CNCCR stipulates herein that was not registered any claim and supporting documentation to apply for a new breed or variety called *Romanian Shepherd Carpathian of Bistrita *and/or *Romanian Shepherd Carpathian of Bucovina*. As a result, the arbitrations realized by unauthorized persons for these so-called breeds are considered to be null. It is true that CNCCR discusses the possibility that within the national campaign of unification of the interests and actions of all the people interested and involved in the supporting of this breed would be taken into consideration the standardization problem of the Romanian Shepherd Carpathian, as a variety of color within the breed. From this point of view, CNCCR is open to receive and study any well motivated proposal regarding the modification of the standard heretofore stipulated in order to support the evolution and development of this breed according to the modern canine principles.

In this way, we ask all the branch presidents to make this document public in the local mass-media and to all those interested in it. In the future, it is recommended to be visibly exposed there where the future contests will take place so as the public and the dog owners would be better informed