The Scandinavian Shepherd Dog is a well-built, lean, spitz-like dog of just below average height with a strong, slightly squat bone and well-developed muscles. The compact body of an elongated rectangular format with a flat, strong, and muscular back, not very long, wide, sloping croup, elongated, deep, widened sternum and a slightly tucked up belly. Males are noticeably more powerful and larger than females.