A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
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Kennel Club London - 1944 FCI Standard No 76
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| History | |
| General Appearance | Smooth coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile. |
| Characteristics | Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children. |
| Temperament | Bold, fearless and totally reliable. |
| Head And Skull | Short, deep though with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black. |
| Eyes | Dark preferred but may bear some relation to coat colour. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark. |
| Ears | Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy. Full, drop or pricked ears highly undesirable. |
| Mouth | Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. |
| Neck | Muscular, rather short, clean in outline gradually widening towards shoulder. |
| Forequarters | Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow. |
| Body | Close coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs; muscular and well defined. |
| Hindquarters | Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind. |
| Feet | Well padded, strong and of medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs. |
| Tail | Medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old fashioned pump handle. |
| Gait/Movement | Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hindlegs. |
| Coat | Smooth, short and close. |
| Colour | Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable. |
| Sizes | Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14 to 16 ins), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs. |
| 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. |
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Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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