Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS: Should impress as being active, game and hardy.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Agile, alert of workmanlike, natural appearance. Standing well forward on forepaws. Strong quarters. Deep in rib, very free movement. Weather-resistant coat.

TEMPERAMENT: Fearless and gay disposition; assertive but not aggressive.

HEAD & SKULL: Head small, but in proportion to body. Skull broad; 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.

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.

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 colors acceptable. Not solid black, or white, or black and tan. Dark points, such as ears and muzzle, very typical.

SIZE: Approximately 28-31 cm. at withers, but in proportion to weight-ideally 6-7,5 kg.

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles full descended into the scrotum.