Shiranian Breed Standard

Standard revision coming soon!

I'm working on a revised standard that I believe better fits the uniform qualities I want to achieve in my Shiranian program. It is meant to be my goal for specific characteristics in size, shape, coat, soundness, structure, and temperament.  This standard may or may not be adopted by other breeders, registries, or clubs. It is not an official standard. Shiranians are not yet an officially recognized dog breed.

Below is the current standard used by myself and the SPSFC.

General Appearance

The Shiranian is a toy breed described as a sturdy, lively dog, who is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression and is inquisitive by nature. The Shiranian also has a distinctively arrogant carriage with head well up and tail over the back. The long flowing double coat. The high set heavily plumed tail carried in a curve well over the back.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Ideally, height at withers is 8-11 inches. Weight for mature dogs is 4-12 pounds , with the ideal weight for a show specimen being 4-8 pounds. However, overall quality is to be favored over size.

Proportion-Length between withers and root of tail is slightly longer than height at the withers. The Shiranian is to never appear to be leggy or dumpy or squatty.

Substance- Regardless of size, the Shiranian is always compact, solid, and carries good weight and substance.

Head

Head- Round, broad, wide between eyes, its size in balance with the overall size of the dog being neither to large or to small. Fault- Narrow head or close-set eyes.

Expression- Warm, sweet, alert ,wide-eyed, friendly and trusting. Care should be taken to look and examine well beyond the hair to determine if what is seen is the actual head and expression rather than an image created by a grooming technique.

Eyes- Large, round, not prominent, placed well apart, looking straight ahead. Very dark lighter on Liver pigmented dogs and blue pigmented dogs.

Ears- Large, set slightly below crown of skull, a higher ear set is also allowed,  heavily coated.

Skull- Domed.

Stop- There is a definite stop. 

Muzzle- Short, straight, square,  free of lippiness never snipey. Set no lower than bottom eye rim, never down turned. Although length may vary slightly in relation to overall size of dog.

Nose-Nostrils are broad, wide, and open. Pigmentation- Nose, lips, eye rims, are black on all colors, except liver on liver pigmented dogs and blue on blue pigmented dogs.

Bite- Scissor bite, or slightly undershot.