General Appearance

The Canis Panther is an intelligent, even-tempered, dignified dog. It displays athletic strength without excessive heaviness, elegance without fragility. The overall build should be strong, muscular, balanced and capable of endurance, speed, and agility.

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Temperament and Behavior

Devoted, loyal and affectionate toward its owner; trustworthy with people it knows. With strangers the dog should be reserved and self-possessed, not fearful or aggressive. Confidence, reliability and clear judgment are essential. The dog must be easy to train, neither numb nor too sensitive. Strong prey drive is undesirable, and aggression toward other dogs is a fault.

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Head

The skull can be flat with parallel lines or slightly rising, diverging planes are is undesired. The length between the ears and the muzzle should be equal, or the muzzle slightly shorter. Wrinkles when relaxed should not appear prominent. The stop must be defined but not exaggerated. The nose has well-developed nostrils; permitted colors are black, liver or blue. Hypo-pigmentation is highly undesirable. The muzzle is powerful, deep and slightly blunt at its end; longer than deep with short, tight lips. Jaws are strong, with a full scissor bite; teeth well developed, especially the canines. Cheeks are clean or slightly muscular but should not be prominent.

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Eyes, Ears, Neck

Eyes are moderately spaced, medium in size, slightly almond shaped; eyelids tight, expression alert and intelligent. Eye color may range from dark brown to light amber; lighter eyes are preferred. Blue eyes from Alx4 gene are accepted. Ears are medium sized; set rather high. If cropped, ears stand erect and nearly vertical, wide at base. Natural ears lie close to the head with slightly blunt tips. The neck is long and strong yet elegant, free from excessive skin. Slight arch behind the ears, carried with pride, flowing smoothly into the withers.

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Body, Topline, Tail

The body is slightly longer than height at the withers but must remain well balanced. The topline and back are powerful, firm and slightly sloping; withers the highest point; the back should not be sway-backed or roached. Skin on the back must be tight and stable in motion. The loin is short, strong and slightly arched, with a defined tuck-up. The croup is broad, muscular and slightly sloping. The chest is deep, capacious, broad without barrel shape; brisket to elbow. Ribs well sprung and reach far back. The tail is strong at root, tapering toward the end; neither too high nor too low set; in relaxed movement carried with a slight upward curve, but never curled above the topline.

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Limbs and Movement

Forelegs viewed from front are straight and strong; shoulder blade and upper arm should be of equal length, forming an approximate ninety degree angle. Pasterns are short, strong and slightly sloping. Feet are compact and round with well-arched toes. Hindquarters powerful, clean, with well-defined angulation; second thigh long; stifle turn strong. Hocks well let down; viewed from behind limbs are parallel, without turning in or out. No rear dewclaws. Movement is powerful, harmonious and ground-covering with drive. Viewed from behind, legs move straight without crossing, touching from the hocks or appear weak.  Topline remains firm and level under motion.

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Coat and Color

The coat is short, dense, sleek and glossy. There is no undercoat. Acceptable colors include black, blue, fawn, sable, red, tricolor, blue-fawn and chocolate. White on chest, feet, and tan markings are allowed.  Dark muzzle and ears are acceptable; blue pigmentation is considered equal to dark pigmentation, chocolate pigmentation is less desired. 

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Size

Males stand 65-75 cm at the withers; females 65-70 cm. Males weigh around 40-50 kg; females about 35-45 kg. 

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Faults and Disqualifications

Any departure from the standard should be judged according to the degree and its effect on health, function or appearance.

Faults may include but are not limited to entropion or ectropion; droopy eyelids; Dudley nose; lack of pigmentation around the eyes; too much loose skin; long or loose lips; snipy muzzle; roached or sway back; feet turning outward or inward; flat feet; incorrect angulation; missing teeth or incorrect bite; weak or inefficient movement, rear declaws.