Breed
Standard (Revised 1982)
Characteristics:-
Should
impress as being active, game and hardy.
General
Appearance:- Agile, alert of workmanlike natural appearance.
Should stand well forward on forepaws. Strong Quarters. Deep in Rib,
very free in movement. Weather - resistant coat.
Temperament:-
Fearless & gay disposition, assertive, but not
aggressive.
Head and
Skull:- Head small, but in proportion to body. Skull broad,
a decided indentation between the eyes with a definite stop. Muzzle
powerful, jaw strong, but not long or heavy. Nose black. Head well
furnished.
Eyes:-
Wide apart, medium in size, dark hazel. slightly sunk, with shaggy
eyebrows.
Ears:- Small,
pointed, well carried & erect, not too closely set nor heavily
coated.
Mouth:-
Large teeth, Jaw strong with a perfect regular & complete
scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely over lapping lower teeth
& set square to jaws.
Neck:-
Well set on, not short.
Forequarters:-
Sloping shoulders medium length of leg, good but not too heavy
bone. Forelegs never out at elbow. Legs covered with harsh hair.
Body:- Back
level, medium in length. Well sprung deep ribs, strong supple loin.
Hindquarters:-
Very strong muscular thighs. Good but not excessive bend of
stifle. Hocks well let down, inclining neither in nor out when
viewed from the rear.
Feet:-
Forefeet larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick
& strong. thin narrow, or spreading feet & long nails
objectionable.
Tail:-
Short balanced, well furnished with hair, but not feathery. Neither
high not low low set, carried gaily, but not turned down towards
back.
Gait:-
Very free-flowing stride. Forelegs reaching well forward. Hind legs
giving strong propulsion. Hocks neither too close nor too wide.
Coat:- Very
important, weather resistant. Must be doubled coated, with profuse,
harsh but not coarse outer coat, undercoat short soft & close.
Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.
Colour:-
Cream,
wheaten red grey or nearly black. Bridling in all these colours
acceptable. Not solid Black, or white, or black & tan. Dark
points as ears & muzzle very typical.
Weight
& Size:- Approx. 11-12 inches at the withers, but in
proportion to weight, ideally 14-16 pounds.
Faults:- Any
departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault,
& the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to
it's degree.
Note:- Male
animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum.
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