General Appearance

Handsome, strong, muscular and active dog. Symmetrical in outline, capable of great endurance with fair amount of speed. Mature dog is handsome and upstanding.

Characteristics

A distinctive feature is the ridge on the back formed by hair growing in opposite direction to the remainder of coat. Ridge clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical, starting immediately behind shoulders and continuing to haunch, and containing two identical crowns only, opposite each other, lower edges of crowns not extending further down ridge than one-third of its length. Up to 5 cm (2 ins) is a good average for width of ridge.

Temperament

Dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers but showing no aggression or shyness.

Head & Skull

Of fair length, skull flat, rather broad between ears, free from wrinkles when in repose. Stop reasonably well defined. Nose black or brown in keeping with colour of dog (black nose accompanied by dark eyes, brown nose by amber eyes). Muzzle long, deep and powerful. Lips clean and close fitting.

Eyes

Set moderately well apart, round, bright and sparkling with intelligent expression, colour harmonising with coat colour.

Ears

Set rather high, medium size, rather wide at base, gradually tapering to a rounded point. Carried close to the head.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite ie. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Well developed teeth, especially canines.

Neck

Fairly long, strong and free from throatiness.

Forequarters

Shoulders sloping, clean and muscular. Forelegs perfectly straight, strong, heavy in bone. Elbows close to the body.

Body

Chest not too wide, very deep and capacious; ribs moderately well sprung, never barrel-ribbed. Back powerful, loins strong, muscular and slightly arched.

Hindquarters

Muscles clean, well defined; good turn of stifle, hocks well let down.

Feet

Compact, well arched toes; round, tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between toes and pads.

Tail

Strong at root, not inserted high or low, tapering towards end, free from coarseness. Carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled.

Gait/Movement

Straight forward, free and active.

Coat

Short, dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly or silky.

Colour

Light wheaten to red wheaten. Head, body, legs and tail or uniform colour. Little white on chest and toes permissible but excessive white hairs here, on belly or above paws undesirable. Dark muzzle and ears permissible.

Size

DOGS - Minimum 63cm to Maximum 67 cm (25-27 ins) - to withers.

BITCHES - Minimum 61cm to Maximum 66cm (24-26 ins) - to withers.

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.