Dunker

Scenthound Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following 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 on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Dunker originated in Norway.

The Dunker was recognized by the United Kennel Club January 1, 1996.

General Appearance

Medium sized, short haired, rectangular shaped scenthound that should appear powerfully built, but not heavy or cumbersome.

Head

The head is clean and noble. It is long, with parallel planes of the skull and muzzle. It is not wedge shaped. The head is to be carried fairly low.

SKULL

Slightly domed, with a prominent occiput. The stop is defined, but not steep or abrupt. The cheeks are clean.

MUZZLE

The muzzle is rather long and square cut. The nasal bridge is straight and broad.

TEETH

The Dunker has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.

NOSE

The nose is black, with wide nostrils.

EYES

Rather large and round, but not protruding, the eyes are dark in color.

EARS

The ears are set rather low. They are wide and flat, hanging close to the head. They should reach to the middle of the muzzle when pulled forward.

Neck

Rather long, with no throatiness.

Forequarters

The shoulder blades are muscular, long and sloping, meeting closely at the tips. They are well angulated with the upper arms.

FORELEGS

The legs are straight, strong and sinewy. The distance from the elbow to the ground is one half the height at the withers. The pasterns are slightly sloping.

Body

The chest is capacious, and the ribs are well sprung. The back ribs especially should be well developed and long. The topline is level and the back is straight, firm and not too long. The loin is broad and muscular but not arched. The croup is slightly sloping. There is a slight tuck up.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are well angulated.

HIND LEGS

The thighs are broad, and the stifle is well angulated. The hocks are dry, broad and low set.

Feet

Arched and well knit, with firm pads. They should be well covered with hair between the toes. The feet should point straight ahead.

Tail

Set on level with the topline, the tail is strong at the root and tapers towards the end. It should be straight and be carried in a slight upward curve. At rest the tail should reach to the hock.

Coat

Straight, hard, dense and not too short.

Color

Black or blue marbled (dappled), with pale fawn and white markings. Warm brown or predominant black reaching from the muzzle and beyond the hock joint with so-called black mask is less desirable. Over-marked white where the white colour reaches out on the shoulders, on the underside of the belly and on legs (socks) is accepted as correct marking.

Disqualification: Body color that is more than 50% white.

Height and Weight

Height at the withers for males is 19.5 to 21.5. For females, it is 18.5 to 20.5.

Gait

Free and ground covering, parallel from behind. Never crouched or cow hocked.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Body color that is more than 50% white.