Group: Group 5 (Working Dogs)
History
General Appearance
Low set, strong, sturdily built, alert and active, giving impression of substance and stamina in small space.
Characteristics
Bold in outlook, workmanlike.
Temperament
Outgoing and friendly, never nervous or aggressive.
Head And Skull
Head foxy in shape and appearance, with alert, intelligent expression, skull fairly wide and flat between ears, moderate amount of stop. Length of foreface to be in proportion to skull 3 to 5. Muzzle slightly tapering. Nose black.
Eyes
Well set, round, medium size, brown, blending with colour of coat.
Ears
Pricked, medium sized, slightly rounded. Line drawn from tip of nose through eye should, if extended, pass through, or close to tip of ear.
Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Fairly long.
Forequarters
Lower legs short and as straight as possible, forearm moulded round chest. Ample bone, carried right down to feet. Elbows fitting closely to sides, neither loose nor tied. Shoulders well laid, and angulated at 90 degrees to the upper arm.
Body
Medium length, well sprung ribs, not short coupled, slightly tapering, when viewed from above. Level topline. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.
Hindquarters
Strong and flexible, well angulated stifle. Legs short. Ample bone carried right down to feet. Hocks straight when viewed from behind.
Feet
Oval, toes strong, well arched, and tight, two centre toes slightly advance of two outer, pads strong and well arched. Nails short.
Tail
Short, preferably natural.
Docked: Short.
Undocked: Set in line with topline. Natural carriage above topline when moving or alert.
Gait/Movement
Free and active, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs move well forward, without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hindlegs.
Coat
Medium length, straight with dense undercoat, never soft, wavy or wiry.
Colour
Self colours in Red, Sable, Fawn, Black and Tan, with or without white markings on legs, brisket and neck. Some white on head and foreface permissible.
Sizes
Height: approx. 25-30 cms (10-12 ins) at shoulder
Weight
Dogs 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs)
Bitches 9-11 kgs (20-24 lbs)
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Notes
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.