A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour 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 information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. 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 highly undesirable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
General appearance
Compact, elegant and sound with substance.
Characteristics
Keen, alert, gay and sporting.
Temperament
Discerning and devoted.
Head and skull
Long skull, flat and narrow, level and wedge-shaped, without showing cheek muscles, well filled up under eyes, with tapering tight-lipped mouth.
Eyes
Relatively small, dark and sparkling. Almond-shaped, not prominent.
Ears
Small and V-shaped, carried well above top line of head and hanging close to head above eyes.
Mouth
Jaws level, with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Fairly long and tapering from shoulder to head and slightly arched at crest; free from throatiness.
Forequarters
Shoulders clean and well sloped. Front narrow and deep. Forelegs quite straight, set on well under dog; and proportionate length to body.
Body
Short with well-sprung ribs, slightly arched over the loin and cut up behind ribs.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular, well bent at stifle. Hindlegs neither cow-hocked nor with feet turned in.
Feet
Small, semi-harefooted and strong with well-arched toes.
Tail
Short and set on where arch of back ends, thick where it joins body, tapering to a point, carried not higher than level of back.
Gait/movement
Straight, free and balanced with good-reaching forequarters and driving power in hindquarters.
Coat
Close, smooth, short and glossy, of firm texture.
Colour
Jet black and rich mahogany tan distributed as follows: on head, muzzle tanned to nose, nose and nasal bone jet black. Small tan spot on each cheek and above each eye, under-jaw and throat tanned with distinct tan V. Legs from knee downward tanned with exception of toes which shall be pencilled with black, a distinct black mark (thumbmark) immediately above feet. Inside hindlegs tanned but divided with black at stifle joint. Under tail tanned, vent tanned by marking as narrow as possible so that it is covered by tail. A slight tan mark on each side of chest. Tan outside hindlegs, commonly called breeching, is undesirable. In all cases black should not run into tan or vice versa, but division between colours clearly defined.
Size
Ideal height at shoulders: dogs: 41 cms (16 ins); bitches: 38 cms (15 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 and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.