SMALL MEĐIMURJE DOG – MEĐI

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:

According to word of mouth, it is being bred over a hundred years in northwestern Croatia, in Međimurje area mostly. Found in rural yards as a guard dog and hunter for harmful rodents. Because of these characteristics, the owners of mills on the Mura and Drava rivers, as well as nowadays stock breeders, were glad to have them.

Because of its size and character it is very suitable for breeding in the urban environment.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

Međi is small, very harmoniously built dog, a rectangular shape with short legs.

Length of body can exceed for one third height at the withers.

Medium body structure, not too heavy bones, lively, agile, intelligent and very obedient dog.

According to the morphological system it belongs to the lupoid type of dog with wedge-shaped head and triangular erect ears.

Coat is short, rather hard and flat, somewhat longer on the upper part of the neck (mane) and on the lower inner side of tail (fringes).

Tail reaches to the hock.

When alert and happy carried in slight curve above the back.

The most commonly colored specimens are bicolored with various forms and patterns, as well as the tricolored.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:

The preferred height at the withers for males and females is between 28 – 33 cm.

The length of the body can exceed for 33% the height at the withers.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT:

The dog is showing the qualities of a good guard, but not aggressive towards people and other dogs not to domestic animals. It is very persistent and diligent in their work, especially to catch rodents.

Restrained by a foreign people, incorruptible, and loud barking to announce the arrival of a stranger.

To the owner and family is very loyal and affectionate and playful in contact with children. Intelligent, impeccably performing verbal commands.

HEAD:

Wedge shaped, elongated, in proportion to the size of the dog.

Skull is the widest among the ears, narrowing slightly towards the muzzle. Slightly longer than wide.

Seen from the profile, the skull is straight, the outer edges are slightly rounded, cheeks are not rough or prominent.

The ratio of skull and muzzle is 10: 9. Occipital protuberance not pronounced.

Stop

The transition from the forehead to the nasal part of the head is very mild, not sharp or deep.

Nose

Muzzle is straight, a bit shorter than the length of skull.

Nose bridge slightly pronounced. Parallel to the line of the skull.

Nostrils well open and developed. The nose and the inside of the nostrils have to be black or brown pigmented (in lighter colored dogs). Lack of pigmentation due to injuries should not be penalized.

Cheeks

Not too pronounced with skin close fitting to the cheekbones.

Lips

The upper lip covers the lower. Lips are not too thick nor pendulous, pigmented black or brown.

Close fitting to the jaw, with no pronounced or open corner of the mouth.

Teeth / Bite

Scissor bite. Level bite can be tolerated, but it is not desirable. The missing of premolars PM1 and molars M3 is not taken into consideration.

Eyes

Almond shaped, dark in accordance with the hair color. Eyelids dark pigmented.

Ears

Medium sized, triangular, about 8 cm long. Carried erect, forward-looking, set quite high. Distance between the ears is about the same as their height. Covered with short hair.

NECK:

Medium length, strong and well connected with the body.

Carried high, not straight, with a longer hair on the upper part (mane).

Without excess skin on the throat.

BODY:

Elongated, rectangular form. Length is 1/3 greater than the height at the withers.

Withers

Pronounced.

Back

Back is straight.

Loins

Of medium length not long. Well muscled.

Croup

Wide and slightly sloping.

Chest

Broad with pronounced chest bone.

Shoulder blade and upper arms are slightly bent aside, shoulders are bit wide.

Ribcage is reaching down to the elbows with well-sprung ribs, preferably as long as possible.

Chest circumference is about 44-52cm.

Underline and belly

Slightly tucked up, not so rich in coat.

Tail:

Set moderately high, reaching to the hock.

Straight or sabre shaped.

At rest it is carried below the topline. When the dog is alert the tail is carried above the topline, but never ring shaped or lean on back.

It is profusely covered with hair.

There are also dogs, which are born with a short tail, which is permitted.

LEGS:

Front legs

Preferably as straight as possible, parallel.

Medium bones, not heavy or light.

Pasterns and feets slightly turned out are permissible.

Pasterns flexible, slightly sloping.

Slightly out of elbows are tolerated but undesirable.

Shoulder

Well connected with the chest, quite wide.

Forearm / elbows

Parallel and straight. Well angulated. Not too heavy bones, covered with short hair.

Slightly out of elbows are tolerated but not desirable.

Metacarpus (Pastern)

Slightly sloping, wide and firm, not soft.

Pasterns allow feet to turn slightly outwards, are tolerated but not desirable.

Forefeet / Toes

Round with tight, well-arched fingers, pigmented nails and pads.

Hind legs:

Parallel. Broad thigh,not too narrow in stand.

Thigh / Lower thigh

Medium muscular. Hind leg angulations not too open.Correct stand.

Metatarsus (Rear pastern)

Strong, elastic, not completely round feet. Bit more inclined than the front feet, with no dewclaws.

GAIT / MOVEMENT:

Full of reach and lively, free and parallel.

SKIN:

Close fitting to the body, elastic and free from wrinkle. Visible mucous membranes are dark pigmented.

COAT:

Coarse hair thick, hard, straight, not wooly or thin.

Short hair on head, ears and legs.

Longer and dense hair on the upper side of neck (mane) and tail.

Length of hair is 3 – 5 cm.

Undercoat soft and wooly.

COLOR:

1 Single-color – black, different shades of brown, yellow and gray.

2. Two-color – two-color is a combination of two basic colors or one basic color with white markings.

3. Tri-color – a combination of three basic colors or two basic colors with white markings. Larger or smaller white markings can be found throughout the body and head and must have clear edges or contours.

White color is not desirable to more than 1/3 of the body.

HEIGHT:

Height at the withers for males and females is 28 – 33 cm.

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

• Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

• Undershot or overshot mouth, wry mouth.

• Monohride, cryptohydride

• Lack of teeth (except all P1, M3 and P2)

• Eyes of different colors

• Signs of ectropia or entropya

• Completely white colored dogs

• Unpigmented mucous membrane

• Height at the withers outside the standard for +/- 4 cm.