Breed Standard - HEAD

             The SHAPE of the head is a ‘wedge’ and should reflect a topline sloping down towards the nose. The SIZE is larger than most other dog breeds when compared to body size. Like the Eurasian dog, its head strongly resembles the wolf. The SKULL is powerful and wedge-shaped, flattened on top with a mild to moderate stop. The skull is broadest at the ears, narrowing slightly at the eyes. Width at the ears should be at least two-thirds of the total length of the skull and muzzle. The occiput bone is apparent and well-defined. The head should always convey a high degree of intelligence.

CLASS 1: smallish head in proportion to body; width of back skull not 2/3 the total length of skull and muzzle.

CLASS 2: a narrow or domed head; block shaped or cheeky, pronounced stop.

CLASS 3: neoteny or any other skull abnormalities.

             The MUZZLE is noticeably long, straight, moderately pointed with a flattened upper surface and obvious nose bumps (canine tooth housings). The muzzle should be equal to or longer than the length of the top-skull. The end of the muzzle should be blunt, but not square or pinched. This dog breed should possess strong jaw muscles, and be neither dish-faced, nor Roman-nosed. The lips and jowls should be tight-fitting and black pigmented.

CLASS 1: lips pink, streaked, spotted or any color other than black.

CLASS 2: moderately short or broad muzzle; long narrow muzzle (collie-type); excessively drooping lips or                  jowls; minor degree or indication of brachycephalic skull structure (Boxer type, short head).

CLASS 3: brachycephaly or any other muzzle abnormalities.

                 The TEETH (adults only): The animal should possess a full (42) compliment of strong, evenly-set white teeth that meet with an even or scissors bite. The Wolfdog should be neither under nor over-shot. Canine teeth are expected to be extra-long and slightly curved when compared to other breeds.

CLASS 1: canine teeth too small in proportion to head size; no curve to canine teeth;

CLASS 2: lack of 42 teeth compliment; stumpy, thin or short canines (under one inch in length).

CLASS 3: overshot or undershot or any other dental abnormalities.

                 The EARS must be fully erect and well-furred on the inside and out. The ears are short, and small to medium in comparison to the skull. They should be deep and cone shaped. Total ear length should be no longer than the distance from the inner base of the ear to the upper corner of the eye. The ears have rounded tips and sides, and are set on the back, outside edges of the skull. The ears join the skull on a line with the upper corner of the eye.

CLASS 1: excessively long (bat-eared); close-set or not well-furred.

CLASS 2: feathered-back of ears.

CLASS 3: cropped ears; floppy ears; any ear type other than fully erect; any ear abnormalities.

               The EYES are to be alert, clear, almond-shaped and obliquely-set with corner-lines intersecting toward the nose. Eyes should appear to be small in proportion to the head. They should never be round or protruding. The preferred colors are yellow or amber (sometimes referred to as ‘hawk’ or ‘wolf’ eyed) and occasional green or grey; however, hazel or light to medium brown eyes are acceptable. Pupil and iris should be distinctively defined. Rims of eyelids should be black.

CLASS 1: dark eyes, blue eyes, corner lines intersecting above center of muzzle.

CLASS 2: parti-colored (marble) eyed, bi-colored (odd eyed), corner lines intersect at top of muzzle, near parallel.

CLASS 3: droopy eyelids (haw-eyed); glassy-eyed; protruding eyes or any other eye abnormality.

                 The NOSE is to be large, prominent, textured and moist. Black is always the preferred color.

CLASS 1: flesh-colored nose in light-colored animals; snow nose.

CLASS 2: pink, streaked, spotted or any color other than black on dark-colored animals.

CLASS 3: any other nose abnormalities.