(Pre 1986 - England)


General Appearance -
Well Balanced, Impressive with strength and great activity. Massive bone
          throughout, but not giving heavy inactive appearance.  Noble, majestic and powerful.

Characteristics - Large draught and water dog, with natural life saving instincts, and devoted    
          companion

Temperament - Exceptionally gentle, docile nature

Head & Skull - Head broad and massive, occipital bone well developed, NO DECIDED STOP,
          muzzle short, clean cut and rather square, covered with short fine hair.

Ears - Small, set well back, square with skull, lying close to the head, covered with short hair
          without fringe.

Eyes - Small, dark brown, rather deeply set, not showing haw, set rather wide apart.

Mouth -Soft and well covered by lips.  Scissor bite preferred, ie Upper teeth closely overlapping
          the lower teeth and set square in the jaws, but pincer tolerated (Level)

Neck -  Strong, set well on to shoulders.

Forequarters -  Legs perfectly straight, well muscled, elbows fitting close to sides, well let    
          down.

Body -  Well ribbed, back broad with level topline, strong muscular loins.  Chest deep, fairly
          broad.

Hindquarters -  Very well built and strong.  Slackness of loins and cowhocks most undesirable.
          Dewclaws should be removed.

Feet -  Large, webbed and well shaped.  Splayed or turned out feet most undesirable.

Gait/Movement -  Free, slight rolling gait.  When in motion, slight toeing in and front    
          acceptable.

Tail -  Moderate length, reaching a little below the hock.  Fair thickness well covered with hair,
          but not forming a flag. When standing hangs downwards with slight curve at the end, when
          moving, carried slightly up, and when excited, straight out with only a slight curve at end.  Tails
          with a kink or curved over back are most undesirable.

Coat -  Double, flat and dense, of a coarse texture and oily nature, water resistant.  When
          brushed wrong way it falls back into place naturally.  Forelegs well feathered.  Body well
          covered but chest hair not forming a frill.  Hind legs slightly feathered.

Colour -  Only permitted colours are -

BLACK  - DULL jet black may be tinged with bronze.  Splash of white on chest, toes and tip of tail acceptable.

BRONZE - Can be chocolate or bronze.  In all other aspects follow black except for colour.  Splash of white on chest, toes and tip of tail acceptable.

LANDSEER - White with black markings only.  For preference black head with narrow blaze, evenly marked saddle, black rump extending to tail.  Beauty in markings to be taken greatly into consideration.  Ticking undesirable.

Size -  Average height at shoulder:  Dogs -71 cms (28 inches) Bitches - 66 cms (26 inches)
          Average weight: Dogs - 64 - 69 kgs (140 - 150 lbs) Bitches - 50 - 54 kgs (110 - 120 lbs)

Faults -  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
          seriousness with which the fault should be regarded in exact proportion to its degree.

Note -
Male animals should have apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.