General appearance

Decidedly square and cobby, it is ‘multum in parvo’ shown in compactness of form, well-knit proportions and hardness of muscle, but never to appear low on legs, nor lean and leggy.

Characteristics

Great charm, dignity and intelligence.

Temperament

Even tempered, happy and lively disposition.

Head and skull

Head relatively large and in proportion to body, round, not apple-headed, with no indentation of skull. Muzzle relatively short, blunt, square, not upfaced. Nose black, fairly large with well-open nostrils. Wrinkles on forehead clearly defined without exaggeration. Eyes or nose never adversely affected or obscured by over nose wrinkle. Pinched nostrils and heavy over nose wrinkle is unacceptable and should be heavily penalised.

Eyes

Dark, relatively large, round in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and when excited, full of fire. Never protruding, exaggerated or showing white when looking straight ahead. Free from obvious eye problems.

Ears

Thin, small soft like black velvet. Two kinds: ‘button ear’ – ear flap folding forward, tip lying close to skull to cover opening; ‘rose ear’ – small drop ear which folds over and back to reveal the burr.

Mouth

Slightly undershot. Wide lower jaw with incisors almost in a straight line. Wry mouths, teeth or tongue showing all highly undesirable and should be heavily penalised.

Neck

Slightly arched to resemble a crest, strong, thick with enough length to carry head proudly.

Forequarters

Legs very strong, straight, of moderate length, and well under body. Shoulders well sloped.

Body

Short and cobby, broad in chest. Ribs well sprung and carried well back. Topline level neither roached nor dipping.

Hindquarters

Legs very strong, of moderate length, with good turn of stifle, well under body, straight and parallel when viewed from rear.

Feet

Neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well-split-up toes; the nails black.

Tail

High set, tightly curled over hip. Double curl highly desirable.

Gait/movement

Viewed from in front should rise and fall with legs well under shoulder, feet keeping directly to front, not turning in or out. From behind action just as true. Using forelegs strongly putting them well forward with hindlegs moving freely and using stifles well. A slight unexaggerated roll of hindquarters typifies gait. Capable of purposeful and steady movement.

Coat

Fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither harsh, off standing nor woolly. Any stripping or trimming of the coat which alters the length, texture or outline must be penalised.

Colour

Silver, apricot, fawn or black. Each clearly defined, to make contrast complete between colour, trace (black line extending from occiput to tail) and mask. Markings clearly defined. Muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead and trace as black as possible.

Size

Ideal weight 6.3-8.1 kgs (14-18 lbs). Should be hard of muscle but substance must not be confused with overweight.

 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.