Breed Standard



GENERAL APPEARANCE:  Symmetrical, compact, not leggy, obviously built for endurance and hard work.  Quick and active mover, displaying plenty of push and drive.

CHARACTERISTICS:  Very ancient and distinct breed of pure origin.  Strong, merry and very active.

TEMPERAMENT:  Kindly disposition, showing no aggression or nervousness.

HEAD & SKULL:  Skull of proportionate length, slightly domed, clearly defined stop, well chiselled below the eyes.  Muzzle of medium length, straight, fairly square.  Nostrils well developed, brown or dark.

EYES:  Hazel or dark, medium size, not prominent, nor sunken, nor showing haw.

EARS:  Set moderately low and hanging close to cheeks.  Comparatively small and gradually narrowing towards tip and shaped somewhat like a vine leaf.

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

NECK:  Long, muscular, clean in throat, neatly set into sloping shoulders.

FOREQUARTERS:  Forelegs of medium length, straight, well boned.

BODY:  Not long, strong and muscular.  Deep brisket, well sprung ribs.  Length of body should be proportionate to length of leg.  Loin muscular and slightly arched.  Well coupled.

HINDQUARTERS:  Strong and muscular, wide and fully developed with deep second thighs.  Hindlegs well boned, hocks well let down, stifles moderately angled, neither turning in or out.

FEET:  Round, with thick pads.  Firm and cat like, not large or spreading.

TAIL:  Well set on and low, never carried above level of back, preferably docked.  Lively in action.

GAIT/MOVEMENT:  Smooth, powerful, ground covering action; driving from rear.

COAT:  Straight or flat, silky texture, dense, never wiry or wavy.  Curly coat highly undesirable.  Forelegs and hindlegs above the hocks moderately feathered, ears and tail lightly feathered.

COLOUR:  Rich red and white only.

SIZE:  Approximate height: Dogs 48 cm (19 ins) at withers; Bitches 46 cms (18 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.

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