GENERAL APPEARANCE |
Sturdy, tough, mobile, capable of endurance. Long in proportion to height, terminating in a fox-like brush, set in line with body. |
| CHARACTERISTICS |
Alert, active and intelligent |
| TEMPERAMENT |
Alert, intelligent, steady not shy or aggressive. |
| HEAD AND SKULL |
Head foxy in shape and appearance, skull wide and flat between ears tapering towards eyes above which it is slightly domed. Moderate stop. Length of foreface in proportion to head 3 to 5, muzzle tapering moderately towards nose which projects slightly and is no sense blunt. Underjaw clean cut. Strong but without prominence. Nose black |
| EYES |
Medium size, clear, giving kindly, alert but watchful expression. Rather widely set with comers clearly defined. Preferably dark, or to blend with coat, rims dark. One or both eyes pale blue, blue or blue flecked, permissible only in blue merles. |
| EARS |
Erect, proportionately rather large to size of dog. Tips slightly rounded, moderately wide at base and set about 8 cms (3 1/2 ins) apart. Carried so that tips are slightly wide of straight line drawn from tip of nose through centre of eyes, and set well back so that they can be laid flat along neck. |
| MOUTH |
Teeth strong, with scissor bite i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. |
| NECK |
Muscular, well developed, in proportion to dog's build, fitting into well sloping shoulders. |
| FOREQUARTERS |
Shoulders well laid, angulated at approximately 90 degrees to upper arm, muscular, elbows close to sides. Strong bone carried down to feet. Legs short but body well clear of the ground, forearms slightly bowed to mould round the chest. Feet turned slightly outwards. |
| BODY |
Chest moderately broad with prominent breastbone. Body fairly long and strong, with deep brisket, well sprung ribs, clearly defined waist. Top line level. |
| HINDQUARTERS |
Strong, well-angulated and aligned with muscular thighs and second thighs, strong bone carried down to feet, legs short; when standing hocks vertical, viewed from side and rear. |
| FEET |
Round, tight rather large and well padded. All dewclaws to be removed. |
| TAIL |
Like a fox's brush set in line with the body and moderately long (to touch or nearly touch ground). Carried low when standing but may be lifted a little above body when moving, not curled over back. |
| GAIT |
Free and active, elbows fitting close to sides, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs reaching well forward without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hind legs. |
| COAT |
Short or medium of hard texture. Weatherproof, with good undercoat. Preferably straight. |
| COLOUR |
Any colour, with or without white markings, but white should not predominate. |
| SIZE |
Height: ideal 30 cms (12 ins) at shoulder. Weight in proportion to size with overall balance the prime consideration. |
| FAULTS |
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded in exact proportion to its degree. |
| NOTE |
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
