GENERAL APPEARANCE
Smooth-coated, well balanced, of great strength for its size. Muscular, active and agile.
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT
Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate, especially with children. Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
HEAD
Short.
Skull: Deep and broad.
Stop: Distinct.
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: Short.
Jaws / Teeth: Strong jaws; large teeth with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.
Lips: Tight and clean.
Cheeks: Very pronounced cheek muscles.
Eyes: Preferably dark, but some relation to coat color is tolerated. Round, medium-sized and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims are black.
Ears: Rose or half-pricked, neither large nor heavy. Thick, drop or pricked ears are highly undesirable.
NECK
Muscular, rather short, clean in outline, gradually widening toward the shoulders.
BODY
Short back.
Topline: Level.
Chest: Wide front, deep brisket; well-sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.
TAIL
Medium length, low-set, tapering to the tip and carried rather low. It should not curl much and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
FOREQUARTERS
Legs straight and well boned; set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which the feet turn out a little.
Shoulders: Well laid back.
Elbows: Not loose.
HINDQUARTERS: Well muscled. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.
Stifles: Well bent.
Hocks: Well let down.
Feet: Well padded, strong and medium-sized. Black nails in solid-colored dogs.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. The legs
move parallel when viewed from the front and from behind. Noticeable drive from the hindquarters.
COAT
Hair: Short, smooth and close.
COLOR
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver color is highly undesirable.
SIZE / WEIGHT
Desirable height at the withers:
35.5 to 40.5 cm. These heights are related
to the weights.
Weight
Males: 12.7 kg to 17 kg
Females: 11 kg to 15.4 kg.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault is regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
•
Aggressive or overly shy.
•
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities
