CHARACTERISTICS - Should impress as being active, game and hardy.
TEMPERAMENT - Fearless and gay disposition; assertive but not aggressive.
HEAD AND SKULL - Head small, but in proportion to body. Skull broad; a decided indentation between the eyes with a definite stop. Muzzle powerful, jaw strong but not long or heavy. Nose black. Head well furnished.
EYES - Wide apart, medium in size, dark hazel. Slightly sunk with shaggy eyebrows.
EARS - Small, pointed, well carried and erect, not too closely set nor heavily coated.
MOUTH - Large teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
NECK - Well set on, not short.
FOREQUARTERS - Sloping shoulders, medium length of leg, good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs never out at elbow. Legs covered with harsh hair.
BODY - Back level, medium length. Well sprung deep ribs; strong supple loin.
HINDQUARTERS - Very strong muscular thighs. Good, but not excessive, bend of stifle. Hocks well let down, inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear.
FEET - Forefeet, larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or spreading feet and long nails objectionable.
TAIL - Short, balanced, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily but not turned down towards back.
GAIT/MOVEMENT - Very free-flowing stride. Forelegs reaching well forward. Hindlegs giving strong propulsion. Hocks neither too close nor too wide.
COAT - Very important. Weather-resistant. Must be double-coated, with profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.
COLOUR - Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black. Brindling in all these colours acceptable. Not solid black, or white, or black and tan. Dark points, such as ears and muzzle, very typical.
SIZE - Height: approx. 28-31 cms (11-12 ins) at withers, but in proportion to weight. Weight: ideally 6-7.5 kg (14-16 lbs).
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 fully descended into the scrotum.
