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Breed Standard

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.

General Appearance

Balanced combination of muscular power and strength with elegance and grace of outline. Built for speed and work. All forms of exaggeration should be avoided.

Characteristics

An ideal companion. Highly adaptable in domestic and sporting surroundings.

Temperament

Gentle, affectionate, even disposition.

Head and Skull

Long and lean, flat on top, tapering to muzzle with slight stop, rather wide between the eyes, jaws powerful and clean-cut, nose black, in blues a bluish colour permitted, liver nose in creams and other dilute colours, in whites or parti-colour a butterfly nose permissible.

Eyes

Oval, bright, expression very alert.

Ears

Rose shaped, small, fine in texture.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Long, muscular, elegantly arched.

Forequarters

Shoulders well laid back with flat muscles. Moderate space between the shoulder blades at the withers. The upper arm is approximately of equal length to the shoulder, placed so that the elbow falls directly under the withers when viewed in profile. Forearms straight and upright with moderate bladed bone. Front not too wide. Pasterns strong with slight spring.

Body

Chest very deep with plenty of heart room. Well filled in front. Brisket deep. Broad, well muscled back, firm, somewhat long, showing graceful arch over the loin but not humped. Ribs well sprung. Loin giving impression of strength and power. Definite tuck up.

Hindquarters

Strong, broad across thighs, with well developed second thighs. Stifles well bent without exaggeration with hocks well let down. Able to stand naturally over a lot of ground.

Feet

Oval, well split up between toes, knuckles well arched, pads thick, nails strong.

Tail

No feathering. Long, tapering, reaching at least to the hock. When in action carried in a delicate curve not higher than the back.

Gait/Movement

Should possess great freedom of action. In profile should move with a long, easy stride whist holding topline. The forelegs should be thrown forward and low over the ground. Hind legs should come well under the body giving greater propelling power. General movement not to look stilted, high stepping, short or mincing. True coming and going.

Coat

Fine, short, close in texture.

Colour

Any colour or mixture of colours.

Size

Desirable height: dogs: 47-51 cms (181/2-20 ins); bitches: 44-47 cms (171/2-181/2 ins).

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.

Note

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

Acceptable Colours:

Black & White Particolour

Black & White Trim

Black Brindle

Black Brindle White Trim

Blue

Blue Brindle

Blue Brindle Particolour

Blue Brindle White Particolour

Blue Brindle White Trim

Blue White Particolour

Blue White Trim

Brindle

Brindle & White Particolour

Brindle White Trim

Cream

Fawn

Fawn Black Mask

Fawn Black Mask White Trim

Fawn Blue Mask

Fawn Brindle

Fawn Brindle White Particolour

Fawn Brindle White Trim

Fawn White Particolour

Fawn White Trim

Red Brindle

Red Brindle Particolour

Red Brindle White Trim

Red Fawn

Red Fawn & White Particolour

Red Fawn Black Mask

Red Fawn Black Mask White Trim

Red Fawn White Trim

Silver Brindle

Silver Brindle & White Trim

Silver Brindle Particolour

White

White & Blue Brindle

White & Fawn Particolour

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