Coat: shiny dark or black
without any spots. There is also a limited variety of dark grey
coated ones, a very rare and greatly appreciated variety.
The Murgese is the only breed in the world
that has this characteristic. At present,
the animals with this singular coat represent about
3% of the population
Conformation:
Head - It is one of the elements that stands out
immediately because it gives a sense of solidity, while not
being excessively large or heavy. It is held well, is well
supported and there is a certain amount of variability as far as
profiles are concerned. They range from decidedly rectilinear
and ram-like. The forehead is wide and is quite often fully
covered by the characteristic flowing forelocks. The nostrils
are broad and mobile, the ears well spread apart and regular.
Eyes are large, expressive and limpid, which is an indication of
a good disposition
.
Neck - Despite
the broad connecting base, it is almost always proper and
harmonious even in young animals. The mane is abundant and often
with wavy hair.
Trunk - It is powerful and muscular. The thorax is
well developed, high and deep. The chest is broad, the shoulders
generally sufficiently sloped. The croup is almost horizontal,
broad and well shaped. The tail is firmly attached and has long
and abundant hair.
Limbs - Solid,
with normally well directed arms; long and wide forearms on the
average with good muscle development; a well-proportioned and
muscular thigh, long and straight legs, with an accentuated
opening of the hocks such as to determine a croup height greater
than that of the withers; rather short and big shin (often
exceeds a thickness of 22 cm), with differentiated and
well-developed tendons.
Foot - Its
qualities are exceptional: its proportions are regular and it is
covered with an extremely hard, black horn which is nevertheless
sufficiently flexible.
