The Saint Johns 

 

Foundational Standard 

 

The Saint Johns is a loyal companion dog of small to medium height with a large powerful head and stout muscular body. Should give the appearance of power, strength and confidence along with a pleasing Temperament. 

 

HEAD The head is large and broad, giving the impression of great power. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are joined by a well-defined stop. The stop is very deep and abrupt, almost at a right angle with the muzzle. Despite the depth of the stop, the forehead is wider than it is high. 

 

SKULL The skull is large and well-proportioned to the dogs muscular body and prominent shoulders. 

 

MUZZLE The muzzle is broad and thick, with a very slight taper from the stop to the nose.The jaws are well muscled, displaying great strength.

 

EYES Eyes are round to almond shape and medium sized. They are set wide apart, with the outside corner of the eye intersecting with the outside line of the skull and are set low, at the level of the muzzle. 

 

NOSE Nares are wide open, with a line running vertically between nostrils from the tip of nose down to the bottom of the upper lip. Nose is large and broad in relationship to the width of the muzzle. 

 

NECK Slightly arched, tapering from shoulder to back of skull. Compact to medium in length, the neck should be thick and muscular.

 

CHEST The chest should be very broad, deep and full with a well sprung or rounded ribcage, but not overdone or to extreme that it will impede the movement. 

 

SHOULDERS The shoulders should be muscular, very heavy, and widespread. 

 

FORELEGS The legs are set wide apart, coming straight down from the shoulders. They are straight vertically on inside of legs and well muscled giving a bowed appearance of front quarters. The forelegs have substantial bone and are in proportion to the body.

 

 PASTERNS The pasterns are medium and straight. 

 

BACK Short to medium back.

 

HINDQUARTERS AND TOP-LINE The hind legs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs. Hocks should be slightly bent and well let down, so as to give length and strength from the loins to hock. The lower leg should be short. 

 

TAIL Tail should be set low and tapering from base to end. Tails must be full and clean, if not it is to be docked. 

 

Height & WEIGHT 

 

Males: 15 - 17 inches at withers.

 

Females 13 - 15 inches at withers.

 

Height and weight should be in proportion,

 

COLOR Any color and pattern is acceptable with the exception on Merle. Any more than 80% white in the coat is not to be encouraged. 

 

COAT Smooth or stiff to the touch is acceptable but must sit close to the body. Length no longer than 1/2 in. 

 

MOVEMENT Should have a balanced gait that drives off the rear and is complimented by reach allowing the dog to cover ground with a sense of power. Dogs should single track.

 

This standard is a work in progress, subject to change as this is foundational stock and we are building a breed.