General
Appearance
Free-moving, active, balanced and of great substance in small
compass. General outline oblong, not square.
Characteristics
Sturdy, game and workmanlike.
Temperament
Alert and fearless but of friendly disposition.
Head and
Skull
Skull slightly domed and wide between ears. Cheek bones not
prominent. Punishing square jaw, powerful and long. Nose black.
Eyes
Dark, well set, round, of medium size. Dark, pigmented eye
rims preferred but unpigmented tolerated.
Ears
Medium- sized, slightly rounded at tip and carried at side
of cheek.
Mouth
Teeth level and strong with canines fitting well into each
other and long for size of dog. Jaws strong with regular scissor
bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and
set square to the jaws.
Neck
Fairly long, thick and muscular on well laid shoulders.
Forequarters
Forelegs short, strong and as straight as possible consistent
with chest being well let down. Point of shoulder in line
with point of elbow which should be close to side of chest.
Body
Medium in length, level and flexible with ribs well sprung.
Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.
Hindquarters
Notably powerful for size of dog. Thighs deep and muscular
with well bent stifle. Hocks strong, well bent and parallel
to each other.
Feet
Round and cat-like with thick pads. Feet pointing directly
forward.
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Medium length. Thick with a rounded tip. Set in line
with back and carried erect. Quarters should protrude beyond
set of tail.
Undocked: Medium length of tail to give a general balance
to the dog. Thick at root and tapering towards tip. Ideally
carried erect, but not excessively over the back, and with
no curl or twist. Quarters should protrude beyond set of tail.
Gait/Movement
Brisk and vigorous with plenty of drive.
Coat
Long, hard and wiry topcoat with weather-resistant undercoat.
Colour
All white or white with lemon, brown, blue or badger pied
markings on head and ears. Much black and heavy ticking undesirable.
Size
Height should not exceed 31 cms (12 ins) at shoulder. Ideal
weight: dogs approximately 9 kgs (20 lbs); bitches approximately
8 kgs (18 lbs). General conformation, overall balance, type
and substance are main criteria.
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.
