In respect of the continuing popularity of the Swiss Lucerne breeds in the UK, I thought it would not come amiss for some more in-depth information from the top Swiss and German writings with the Fancy in the UK in mind. I include Germany not because I live here but simply because there is such a good network of breeder communication between the Swiss and the German breeders of all Swiss pigeons. When you are talking about 'source' birds, they can be considered one and the same, much as saying 'I have my Birmingham Rollers from Birmingham', is certainly no guarantee that you have QUALITY Birmingham Rollers! So much depends on the breeder, not where they come from, in fact in some breeds the German breeders outnumber those in Switzerland.
I have taken the trouble to print the Standard for inclusion in this Lucerne 'Brief', as the one in the New UK NPA Standards Book has print errors. (I should know, I translated it!) - one is a big one!
There is a written Standard for each of the 7 'Lucerne' Breeds but I have used the Gold Collar as the Base Standard, for no other reason than this lovely breed appears to be THE most Popular in the UK. I have followed this with some 'breed specifics' pertaining to the other individual breeds, colours and markings.
LUCERNE GOLD COLLAR
(Lucerner Goldkragen)
Origin: In the 1800s in Switzerland, from the Canton Lucerne, bred from Swiss Pigeons and Owls.
Overall impression: Medium size, strongly built, short and rounded form, slightly sloping posture, with peak crest and grouse legged.
Head: Broad, barely medium length, full behind the beak cere, profile from the beak tip, over the forehead, and to the peak crest, a slightly curving line. A high-set peak crest, the feathers from the rear base of the neck to form a sharp, practically straight mane (in show stance).
Eye: Dark, high set, in a line with the beak curve, eye cere smooth and narrow, with all colours the eye cere barely noticeable.
Beak: Barely medium length, strong at the base, with a strong and nearly equal under and over beak, light to horn colour, a smooth 'V'-shaped beak cere that is not over developed so blending in well with the profile.
Neck: Rising full from the body, narrowing appreciably to a clean cut out, well rounded throat.
Breast: Broad, deep and round, carried well forward and slightly lifted.
Back: Broad at the shoulders, narrowing to the tail, slightly sloping.
Wings: Strong, well-closed, the back well covered, tips not crossing.
Tail: Short, well closed, held clear of the floor.
Legs: Medium length, the heel joint (hock) angled. Fully grouse legged. Nails strong and not covered by feathers.
Feather: Smooth and tight feathering.
Colours: Mehlfarbig (literally 'meal colour' an off-white), in Chequer, Barred or Barless.
Colour and Markings: Ground colour an off-white, pale colour (Mehlfarbig, literally 'flour-colour') NOT blue or dilute Blue (see Faults), should not be called 'silver', very, very pale. Primaries and tail somewhat darker, back with the same colour, neck with a silvery sheen. Wing shield, cheq, bar or barless. Breast colour a bright deep yellow/gold, from mid-throat to the breast bone and under the wing butts without a sharp dividing line between the collar and the ground colour but should not be suffused throughout the ground colour or reach behind the neck. Tail with a dark bar, the side feathers with paler outer feather webbing.
