OFFICIAL BREED DESCRIPTION ICCF
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Jämthund is an ancient Scandinavian breed that developed in Sweden, primarily in the region of Jämtland, from which it takes its name. It is believed to descend from old northern spitz-type hunting dogs used by Scandinavian peoples for hunting large game, including elk, bear, and lynx. Harsh climate conditions and the need to work across long distances shaped the breed’s high endurance, strong human orientation, and excellent ability to make independent decisions. In the 20th century the breed received official recognition and became widespread among hunters in northern countries. Today, the Jämthund is valued for its strength, stability, reliable temperament, and pronounced hunting abilities.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Jämthund is a large, powerful, yet harmoniously built Nordic spitz with strong bone, well-developed musculature, and correct body balance. The outline is slightly rectangular, with a firm and level topline. The head is wedge-shaped; the ears are erect and triangular. The chest is deep but not broad; the back strong; the loin firm. The tail is heavily coated, curled into a ring or curved and carried over the back. The coat is dense, double, with a pronounced undercoat providing excellent protection against cold. The overall appearance expresses strength, balance, determination, and adaptation to demanding northern working conditions.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
The Jämthund has an elongated format: body length exceeds height at the withers by approximately 10%. Chest depth is about half the dog’s height, ensuring sufficient lung capacity and endurance for long hunting work. Head length is proportional to the body—about 40% of the height at the withers—with skull and muzzle of approximately equal length. Limbs are long, strong, and well balanced, supporting stable, economical movement. The tail is of medium length, reaching the hock. All proportions emphasize strength, functionality, and the breed’s working nature.
BEHAVIOUR AND CHARACTER
The Jämthund has a balanced, courageous, and independent temperament, combining natural hunting instincts with strong human orientation. The dog is confident, determined, capable of working at long distances and in harsh terrain while maintaining contact with the hunter. Its character is calm and steady, without unwarranted aggression, yet firm and purposeful when required. It is watchful but correct toward strangers. The breed displays high intelligence, situational awareness, and rapid decision-making—essential traits when hunting elk or bear. Shyness, nervousness, or excessive aggression are considered serious deviations from type.
HEAD
The head is wedge-shaped, dry, powerful, with harmonious proportions and clean lines. The skull is moderately broad, slightly arched, with a smooth but visible stop. The muzzle is strong, wedge-shaped, straight; its length is approximately equal to that of the skull. Cheeks are moderately defined, not coarse. The nose is large, black, with wide nostrils. Lips are dry and close-fitting. Scissor bite, strong and even teeth. The expression is attentive, confident, and reflects the breed’s working nature. Narrow or coarse heads, weak jaws, or excessively long muzzles are faults.
FACIAL REGION
The facial region forms a functional and expressive profile typical of a northern hunting dog. The muzzle is straight, strong, wedge-shaped, broad at the base and tapering evenly toward the nose. The bridge of the nose is straight, without bump or dip. Lips are thin, dry, well-fitting, without flews. The nose is large, black, with wide open nostrils, ensuring effective scent detection during hunting. The chin is firm but not protruding. Cheeks are well defined but not coarse. The facial region must express strength, focus, and determination. Weak muzzle, profile deviation, or excessive coarseness are not acceptable.
EYES
Eyes are dark brown, oval, medium-sized, set slightly obliquely, giving an expression of intelligence, attentiveness, and calm confidence. The gaze should be composed and purposeful, reflecting the working character of a northern spitz. Eyelids are dry, tight, well pigmented, without entropion or ectropion. Too light, round, or protruding eyes, as well as harsh, aggressive, or nervous expressions, are faults. The correct expression conveys a steady temperament and the ability to perform long, demanding work.
EARS
Ears are erect, triangular, medium-sized, high-set, with firm cartilage and clear shape. Tips are slightly rounded, directed forward, enhancing alertness and readiness for work. Ears must not be too large, wide-set, or low-set. Soft, semi-erect, or hanging ears are unacceptable. Mobility of the ears is important—they should actively respond to sounds, helping the dog orient itself in forested terrain. Correct ear carriage emphasizes the breed’s focus, collected demeanor, and quick situational awareness.
NECK
The neck is strong, medium in length, muscular, dry, blending smoothly into the withers. The carriage is confident, supporting the breed’s working profile. Skin is tight, without dewlap; the coat on the neck is dense and provides natural protection when moving through brush. The neck must be long enough to ensure free head movement and proper body balance, but not excessively stretched. Well-developed musculature reflects strength and endurance. A neck that is too short, heavy, or conversely too light and weak, disrupts harmony. A correctly formed neck enhances strength, functionality, and confident temperament.
BODY
The body is strong, elongated, well balanced, and reflects the functional structure of a northern hunting dog. The topline is level and stable; the withers moderately pronounced. The back is straight, strong, muscular; the loin short, broad, powerful, contributing to stability and strong rear drive. The chest is deep but not broad; ribs moderately sprung, providing capacity for sustained work. The belly is slightly tucked up, emphasizing dryness. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, well muscled. The body must convey endurance, confidence, and ability to work in forested and mountainous terrain without looseness or heaviness.
TAIL
The tail is heavily coated with dense, harsh hair, forming one of the breed’s characteristic features. It is high-set and, at rest, curled into a tight or open ring and carried over the back or slightly to the side. The tail must reach at least the hock. It must not be too short, poorly curled, off-set, or lacking the typical curve. Kinks, low-set tail, or absence of the characteristic curl are faults. The correct tail emphasizes breed type, northern origin, and working purpose, serving as an important element of balance when moving through thick vegetation.
EXTERIOR DESCRIPTION
FOREQUARTERS
Forequarters are straight, strong, dry, parallel, providing stability and power. Shoulder blades are long, well laid back, close-fitting, forming optimal shoulder angulation. Upper arms are muscular and strong, enabling free forward reach. Elbows are directed backward, close-fitting, without turning in or out. Forearms are straight, of proportional length, with strong bone. Pasterns are slightly sloping and elastic, providing shock absorption essential for long hunting work. Weak ligaments, soft pasterns, crooked limbs, or east-west positions reduce working ability.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters are powerful, well angulated, providing strong and stable drive during movement in rough terrain. Thighs are long, broad, with pronounced musculature. Stifles well defined, with correct angulation—neither straight nor overly sharp. Lower legs dry, directed backward, of sufficient length, ensuring elasticity of movement. Hocks strong, low-set, without weakness or cow-hocks. Metatarsi short, vertical, stable. Rear limbs must be parallel. Rotation, hock deviation, cow-hocks, or weak ligaments diminish endurance and functional performance.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
Movement is free, powerful, springy, with good reach and drive. Actions must be straight, stable, and economical, allowing the dog to work for hours without losing strength or control. Forelegs move forward evenly, without turning; hindlegs provide strong propulsion and maintain body stability. The topline must remain firm in motion. The trot should be even, rhythmic, without bouncing, rolling, or lateral sway. Short steps, stiffness, narrow movement, reduced drive, or instability indicate decreased functional quality.
COAT
The coat is dense, double, and protective, adapted to harsh Scandinavian climates. Guard hair is harsh, straight, of medium length, lying close and protecting from moisture and wind. The undercoat is soft, thick, extremely dense, providing insulation and preventing freezing during long work in cold weather. The neck forms a natural ruff; the tail is heavily feathered. Soft, sparse, wavy, very short, or close-lying coat without pronounced undercoat is unacceptable. Proper coat is essential for the breed’s ability to work in northern climates and rugged terrain.
PERMITTED COLOURS
Permitted colour is grey in various shades, from light grey to dark steel grey. Lighter areas on the cheeks, throat, chest, abdomen, inner legs, and beneath the tail are required, forming a typical northern spitz pattern. A darker facial mask is acceptable. Colours must be clean, without reddish, brownish, or mottled tones. Too light or washed-out colour is undesirable. Pigmentation of the nose, eyelids, and lips must be black. White markings, patches, or deviations from the grey palette are faults. Correct colour emphasizes breed type and its ancient northern heritage.
SIZE
The Jämthund is a large, powerful, yet harmonious spitz. Height at the withers for males averages 57–65 cm; for females 52–60 cm. Weight typically ranges 25–35 kg. The format is elongated but must remain proportional and functional. Overly large or heavy individuals losing agility are undesirable, as are overly light or long-legged dogs that lose strength. Size must support the breed’s purpose of hunting large game, ensuring agility, endurance, and stability. Extreme deviations in height or weight are faults.
FAULTS
Faults include deviations that reduce harmony and working ability: weak bone, insufficient musculature, shallow chest, weak pasterns, limb narrowness or east-west positions. Irregular topline, short stride, weak drive, stiffness indicate functional weakness. Head faults include overly light or coarse head, weak muzzle, light eyes, poor pigmentation. Coat lacking dense undercoat or being too soft reduces cold resilience. Faults are assessed according to severity and impact on function.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
Disqualifying faults include serious structural or behavioral deviations. Unprovoked aggression, panic-level fear, or unstable temperament exclude a dog from breeding. Undershot, overshot, missing key teeth, major jaw deformities, or incorrect bite are unacceptable. Semi-erect or hanging ears violate type. Non-grey colours, large white markings, or absence of a mask on heavily shaded dogs are disqualifying. Severe movement faults, dysplasia, weak ligaments, evident anatomical defects, or signs of mixed ancestry also disqualify.
IMPORTANT NOTES
The Jämthund is a working hunting breed, and evaluation must consider functionality, endurance, and stable temperament. Sexual dimorphism must be visible: males larger and more robust, females slightly lighter yet strong and harmonious. Dense coat and thick undercoat vary seasonally and must be judged accordingly. Artificial alteration of coat texture or colour is prohibited. Behaviour must show decisiveness, confidence, and independence—never aggression. Any signs of over-refinement, looseness, or loss of working ability are faults.
CONCLUSION
The Jämthund is a strong, reliable, highly effective hunting dog, preserving the ancient northern spitz type and outstanding working qualities. Its harmonious structure, powerful build, dense coat, and stable temperament make it ideally suited for hunting large game in demanding climates. Preservation of functionality, endurance, and stable character is essential in breeding, with emphasis on correct format, strong bone, and coat quality. The Jämthund combines independence, intelligence, and reliability, remaining a steadfast partner for hunters and a guardian of northern hunting traditions.
