General Appearance
Smooth-coated, well balanced, of great
strength for his size. Muscular, active and
agile.
Characteristics
Traditionally of indomitable courage and
tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate
especially with children.
Temperament
Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
Head and Skull
Short, deep though with broad skull. Very
pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short
foreface, nose black.
Eyes
Dark preferred but may bear some relation to
coat colour. Round, of medium size, and set to
look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.
Ears
Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy.
Full, drop or pricked ears highly undesirable.
Mouth
Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth
large, with a perfect, regular and complete
scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely
overlapping lower teeth and set square to the
jaws.
Neck
Muscular, rather short, clean in outline
gradually widening towards shoulders.
Forequarters
Legs straight and well boned, set rather
wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns,
from which point feet turn out a little.
Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at
elbow.
Body
Close-coupled, with level top line, wide
front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs; muscular
and well defined.
Hindquarters
Well muscled, hocks well let down with
stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed
from behind.
Feet
Well padded, strong and of medium size.
Nails black in solid coloured dogs.
Tail
Medium length, low-set, tapering to a point
and carried rather low. Should not curl much and
may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
Gait/Movement
Free, powerful and agile with economy of
effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from
front or rear. Discernible drive from hind legs.
Coat
Smooth, short and close.
Colour
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one
of these colours with white. Any shade of
brindle or any shade of brindle with white.
Black and tan or liver colour highly
undesirable.
Size
Desirable height at withers 36-41 cm (14 to
16 ins), these heights being related to the
weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kg(28-38 lbs);
bitches 11-15.4 kg.
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.