Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland (Member of FCI)

The sequence follows FCI breed standard.

ORIGIN

: The Netherlands.

CLASSIFICATION

: Companion and Toy Dogs

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY

: The Markiesje is the youngest branch on the Dutch canine tree, but certainly not a “new” breed. It is the old Dutch “spioen” that was often portrayed in the 17 and 18th centuries. They kept their typical appearance through the ages, even though there is no record of any purposeful breeding. P.C.M.Toepoel included the Markiesje in his book “Onze Hond” in 1967. This led to a revived interest in this type of dog. He noted that although this was no pure breed, this type of dog was often found throughout the country, and could possibly now be reintroduced. Toepoels “Now” refers to the first half of the 20th century.

Mia van Woerden was the one who picked up on this idea (she had also worked on the reintroduction of the Dutch Smous) and started a search for examples of an “elegant spioen type” of dog. In the middle of the 1970’s she published a number of articles in periodicals, including an article in the Hondenwereld (Dog World) entitled “The forgotten Dutch breed – the black pearl”. She called on people to help rebuild this Dutch breed. Breeders associated with the reintroduction program and other interested parties formed the Breed Club for the Support of the Markiesje on 24 June 1979. The bitch Pom, owned by Mrs. M.van Ederen, would become the foundation of the breed. On May 1, 1999, the breed was acknowledged by the Dutch Kennel Club. The breed club set up an intensive breeding program, under the guidance of M. van Ederen and M. Westenbrink-Koning. This resulted in a homogeneous population of high quality and good quality specimens in sufficient numbers are now being bred.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

: The Markiesje is a finely built black toy spaniel; elegant and alert; with no signs of dwarfism. The body is slightly longer than it is high and fine-boned. The shiny coat and beautiful feathering give it its graceful appearance. Any form of exaggeration is undesired.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS

: The body if measured from point of shoulder to point of tailbone is slightly longer than the height at the withers. (ratio of 10 to 9).
The chest should be well developed and reach to the elbow. The depth of chest should then be equal to the distance from chest to ground.
The length of the muzzle is equal to the length of the skull measured from the stop to the occiput.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT

: The Markiesje is calm, intelligent and has a soft expression. It should never be nervous, timid or yippy, nor show any sign of aggression.

HEAD

: The head is fairly long and certainly in proportion to the body. Shows dry flowing lines.

CRANIAL REGION

:

Skull

: The skull is nearly flat; somewhat less wide than long; with a distinct occiput.

Stop

: The stop should be well defined but not abrupt.

FACIAL REGION

:

Nose

: The nose should be well developed, in harmony with the muzzle, and always black and shiny.

Muzzle

: The muzzle tapers slightly towards the nose but is not snippy. Its topline is straight and parallel to the topline of the skull.

Lips

: Lips are tight and black.

Jaws/Teeth

: Teeth form a scissors bite.

Cheeks

: Cheekbones are well filled.

Eyes

: Eyes are almond shaped, fairly large but not bulging, dark brown or black, and clear with a soft expression. The eyelids are also black and tight.

Ears

: Ears are high set, hanging along the head and not extending above the head. They are of medium size, slightly triangular and have rounded tips. They are well feathered. When alert, the tip of the ear falls against the cheek.

NECK

: Strong and dry, in balance to the body.

BODY

:

Topline

: The topline is straight and flows from the shoulder to the tail.

Back

: The back is strong, straight and relatively short.

Loin

: The loins are strong, of a good length and width, and with well developed muscles.

Croup

: Slightly sloping of good width, the length of the croup is 1,5 X the width.

Chest

: Chest is well developed with well-sprung ribs, not too round, and deep enough to feel.

Underline and belly

: Underline and belly is deep enough and slightly tucked up to the loins.

TAIL

: The tail itself, not the feathering, reaches to the hock. It is set so as to form one flowing line with the back. The tail is carried gaily but never too much above the line of the back. In rest it hangs in a slight curve.
Curled tails, tails carried over the back and kinked tails are not allowed.

LIMBS

:

FOREQUARTERS

: Seen from the front the dog should be straight; from the side shows a slightly angled strong middle foot. The front legs are straight, fine-boned and sufficiently long and strong.

Shoulder

: The shoulder and upper leg are equal in length and moderately angulated. The shoulder is sufficiently sloping and lies flat.

Elbow

: Close to the body

Pastern

: Strong, without any sign of weakness. Metatarsal is strong and slightly turned forward.

FEET

:

Forefeet

: Relatively long hare feet, oval and compact, with well cushioned pads. Nails are preferably black.

HINDQUARTERS

: Seen from the rear the legs should be straight, from the side they should show good muscles and angulation, equal to the front. The thigh and lower leg are equal in length.

Stifle

: Well angulated.

Hock

: Well set and planted low.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

: Easy powerful movement, with good reach and driving action. Legs move parallel and straight, with growing speed inclined to single tracking.

SKIN

: Skin should not be loose.

COAT

:

HAIR

: Coat is soft, silky and medium long. No undercoat. A slight wave is permissible.
Ears, tail and back of legs are well feathered. Feathering on hind legs reaches the hocks.
Hair on the feet is short.

COLOUR

: The color is shiny solid black or black with white markings. The white may be a blaze, but not onto the cheeks, or a white chest, collar, stomach, paws or tip of tail. White may not be more than 40% of the colouring. Ticking within the white is allowed.

SIZE

:

Height at withers

: The ideal height is 37 cm for dogs and 35 cm for bitches. A margin of 2 cm above and 3 cm below is allowed.

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.

MINOR FAULTS

:
Too small or too highly set ears or open earsCurled tailDeviation from the allowed sizeToo short a tail (up to 5 cm difference when measured to the hock)White markings on the backLevel bite

SERIOUS FAULTS

:
Shy or nervous temperamentToo short or signs of dwarfismOvershot or undershot biteErect ears

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS

:
Agressive or extremely fearful temperamentBodily deviationsAny color other than black or black with whiteKinked tailToo short a tail (more than the possible 5 cm.)No tail

N.B.:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.