Norrbottenspets is a small Swedish hunting dog. This dog breed closely resembles the Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund with the typical small erect ears, wedge-shaped head and square build of the Spitz breeds.
Originally used to hunt small game and as an all-around farm helper, the Norrbottenspets dog breed is now more popular as a companion.
Norrbottenspets Temperament
This breed is alert and self-confident.
Norrbottenspets Size
Ideal Height: Male: 17-1/2-18 inches (45 cm) Female: 16-1/2-17 inches (42 cm)
Norrbottenspets
General Appearance: Small, squarish spitz dog, tightly built, with dry, powerful muscles. The dog should be of a very good structure, the head carried high and fearless. The dog should be extremely mobile. Differences in body structure due to sex should be well marked. Norrbottenspets should, as a hunting dog, be attentive and courageous, giving an impression of alertness, activity, kindness and self-confidence. Never nervous, shy or aggressive. The ideal dog should give the impression of a typical, small spitz dog, very alert and attentive, with good anatomy and mentality.
Norrbottenspets with puppies
Head: The head should be powerful, dry (without loose skin), well built when viewed from the front and side wedge formed. The muzzle moderately long, sharply tapering. The length of the muzzle to be half length of the head or shorter. The skull moderately wide, stop well but moderately marked, the forehead slightly arched and the skull moderately flat. The superciliary arches should be well marked and the nose bridge straight. The nose should be black and the lips thin, dry and tight fitting. Mouth: Scissor bite with well-developed teeth. Eyes: The eyes moderately big, bright and expression calm and energetic. Dark brown. The eyes should be almond shaped and obliquely set. Ears: High set, slightly over medium size and stiffly erect. Tips slightly rounded.
Neck: Moderately long, dry and muscular, with slightly arched neck, carried erect.
Norrbottenspets with puppies
Body: Back short, strong, muscular and elastic. Viewed from the side, slightly sloping over the withers and then straight. Loins short and broad. Croup moderately long and broad, slightly sloping and with well-developed muscles. Chest moderately deep and long, the back ribs well developed. Oval shaped viewed from the front. Forechest well developed and well marked. Front of normal width. Viewed from the side, the lowest part of the chest line should reach the underarm just below the elbow and softly fit into the belly line. Belly moderately tucked up. The depth of the body (the vertical distance from the highest point of withers to the lowest point of the chest) should be about a half height of withers.
Forequarters and Hindquarters: Shoulder blade long and broad, with well-developed chest and muscles. Close fitting to the chest and proportionately set back.
Upper Arm: Should be the same length as shoulder blade, strong, well fitting close to the chest, but permit free movements and form a marked angle with the chest. Elbows directed backward.
Underarm: Straight, strong bones, dry but flexible muscles.
Wrist and pastern: Strong. The underarm forming a straight line with wrist and pastern viewed from the front. The pastern slightly angled forward viewed from the side.
Forefeet: Small, strong, standing straight forward, well arched and closed, with well-developed, solid pads.
Croup: Proportionately long, wide and strong, slightly sloping.
Thighs: Proportionately long, forming a straight angle to the pelvis. Strong muscles. Knee joint: Strong. Lower thigh forming a marked angle to upper thigh. Hock broad and strong, viewed from front and side.
Rear Pastern: Dry, elastic and rather long.
Hind Feet: Just like the forefeet. Standing straight forward. Hindlegs parallel, viewed from behind.
Tail: Proportionately high set, carried in a fairly high curve, loosely curled with the tip of the tail touching side of thighs. The length of the tail should not reach below the hock. Bobtail not allowed.
Norrbottenspets
Gait: Norrbottenspets should, in canter and trot, show smooth, even movements with great drive, covering the ground well. Topline must be firm. Hindlegs must be parallel.
Coat: Hard, short, straight and rather close-fitting hair, fine and dense undercoat. Short on nose bridge, skull, ears and front of legs, longer on the neck, back of thighs and underneath the tail.
Color: All colors are permitted. Ideal color is white with yellow or red/brown markings.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.
