Although I do not get to many shows now, I am still very interested in the Lucerne breed.
As there seems to be more interest in the breed at the moment, I pen these notes in an attempt to keep that interest going.
The breed was first created in the 19th Century when the Swiss fanciers crossed Owl breeds with the age-old Swiss pigeon, which I imagine was somewhat like the Berner and Thurgauer breed for type.
In 1923 a printed standard was released which laid down the requirements for all to see. The more or less 'rough leg' feathered legs (grouse legs), was the feature which mainly distinguished the breed. The colours and markings at that time were also strong distinguishing points of the breed.
Differences in the head shape between the Berner, Thurgauer and Lucerne breeds were hardly discernable. Today the beak shape (substance) and length are most important.
Since the 1951 standard was written, there has been little change in the requirements for the breed, except that now the wording is clearer.
For all the Lucerne varieties, around 1996 the new requirements for head points were laid down. The area behind the wattle is now required as medium, where previously this was short. In other words a little more length of face. The profile of the beak and head should be one gradual curved line. Therefore the wattle should be fine and unobtrusive, and there should be no pronounced forehead to spoil the even profile.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s some progress had been made towards the 1951 goal. A real breakthrough to achieving the required head shape came when, in the early 1970s, some 'brave' breeders successfully crossed in the Oriental Frill breed.
Through this cross, progress was made towards the demand for a short of medium, strong, wide-set beak. Also the peak crest and mane were improved, being tighter and smoother feathered with no breaks in the mane.
For a while after this cross, the roundish owl head and gullet were the points which needed to be bred out, whilst keeping the strength in head and beak.
Today good heads are seen in the more popular colours.
These have always been the most popular of the varieties, especially over the past ten years.
Most of them have good base colour which is specified in the Swiss standard as meal coloured. Although on the Continent it is stated 'should not be called silver', genetically they are in fact silver (dilute blue), with a modifying bleaching gene. This gene bleaches out the colour somewhat, to give the soft pastel shade we require. The collar is required to be a rich but clear golden yellow and should definitely not be inclined towards red or copper. I think some are heading this way and this point needs to be watched. Patterns are barless, barred and checkered.
