Characteristics

Should impress as being active, game and hardy.

General appearance

Agile, alert, of workingmanlike natural appearance. Should stand well
forward on forepaws. Strong quarters. Deep in rib, very free in movement. Weather-resistant coat.

Temperament

Fearless and 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 and erect; not too closely set nor heavily coated.

Mouth

Large teeth. Jaw strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely
overlapping lower teeth and 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 of 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 behind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or
spreading feet and long nails, objectionable.

Tail

Short, balanced well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor 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 double-coated with profuse, harsh but not coarse, outer-coat, under-coat short, soft and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.

Colour

Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black. Brindling in all these colours acceptable. Not solid black or white or black and tan. Dark points such as ears and muzzle are very typical.

Weight and sizes

Approximately 28 cms to 31 cms (11 to 12 inches) at the sizes withers but in proportion to weight: ideally 6 to
7,5 kgs (14 to 16 pounds).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Notes

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.