Tracking
There are many species of dogs trained and used for this job.
GWP
General
Medium-sized hunting dog, with wire hair completely covering skin. Overall should be slightly longer in body, compared to shoulder height.
Characteristics
Powerful, strong, versatile hunting dog, excels in both field and water. Loyal, intelligent, sound temperament and alert.
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate and even tempered. Alert, biddable and very loyal.
Mouth
Teeth and jaws strong, with perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, with full dentition./p>
Neck
Strong and of adequate length, skin tightly fitting.
Forequarters
Shoulders sloping and very muscular with top of shoulder blades not too close; upper arm bones between shoulder and elbow long. Elbows close to body, neither pointing outwards nor inwards. Forelegs straight and lean, sufficiently muscular and strong but not coarse-boned. Pasterns slightly sloping, almost straight but not quite.
Body
Chest must appear deep rather than wide but not out of proportion to the rest of the body; ribs deep and well sprung, never barrel-shaped nor flat, back rib reaching well down to tucked-up loins. Chest measurement immediately behind elbows smaller than that of about a hand’s breadth behind elbows so that upper arm has freedom of movement. Firm back, not arched, with slightly falling back line.
Hindquarters
Hips broad and wide, croup falling slightly towards tail. Thighs strong and well muscled. Stifles well bent. Hocks square with body, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns nearly upright. Bone strong but not coarse.
Feet
Compact, close-knit, round to oval-shaped, well padded, should turn neither in nor out. Toes well arched, heavily nailed.
Tail
Docked: Approximately two fifths of original length docked. Continuing the line of back, carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick nor too thin.
Undocked: Continuing the line of back, carried horizontally or slightly upward. Neither too thick nor too thin. Reaching to the hocks and carried straight or slightly sabre-fashion.
Gait/Movement
Smooth, covering plenty of ground with each stride, driving hind action, elbows turning neither in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.
Coat
Outer coat thicker and harsh, no longer than 4 cms (11/2 ins) long with a dense undercoat, (undercoat more prevalent in winter than summer). It should not hide body shape but it should be long enough to give good protection. Coat should lie close to the body. Hair on head and ears thick and short, but not too soft. Bushy eyebrows, full but not overlong beard.
Colour
Liver and white, solid liver, black and white. Solid black and tricoloured highly undesirable.
Size
Ideal height at shoulder: dogs: 60-67 cms (23½-26½ ins); bitches: 56-62 cms (22-24½ ins). Weight: dogs: 25-34 kgs (55-75 lbs); bitches: 20.5-29 kgs (45-64 lbs).
