Phenotype Guide

These pages are  designed to be a guide in the understanding of correct and incorrect phenotype in the Dogo Canario though the use of illustrations and photographs where applicable.  We hope that you will develop both an understanding of typical breed features as well as serious faults of the breed, including how to identify a dog of impure breeding. 

 Normal Morphology

1. cranium

2. face

3. stop

4. nose

5. lips

6. corner of lips

7. profile of the face

8. eyes

9. lids

10. ear

11. occipital crest

12. mastoid

13. frontal sinus

14. neck

15. upper border of the neck

16. jowl

17. withers

18. dorsum

19. loin

20. croup

21. angle of the rump

22. shoulder

23. distal shoulder 

24. tip of sternum

25. arm

26. elbow

27. forearm

28. carpal

29. metacarpal

30. toes

31. chest

32. ribs

33. flank

34. abdomen

35. groin

36. thigh

37. peak of the buttocks

38. knee

39. leg

40. hock

41. metatarsal

42. dorsolumbar line

43. tail

Measuring Proportions

1. Continuation of the facial line
2. Continuation of the cranial line
3. Cranial facial angle
4. Cylindrical neck
5. The perimeter of the thorax is equal to the height of the withers plus 45%
6. Withers

7. Height to the bottom of the chest is 50% of the height to the withers
8. Length of the shoulders
9. The length of the body is equal to the height at the withers plus 18 or 20%
10. Height of the croup
11. The dorsolumbar line is straight, ascending lightly toward the croup
12. Height to the hock.  the hocks are low

This dog shows correct proportions

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Index  |  Head  |  Muzzle  |  Eyes & Ears  |  Bite

Chest & Front  |  Rear  | Topline  | Tail  |  Colors