General Appearance
Strong, square-looking dog with great symmetry and overall soundness.
Absolutely free from legginess, profusely coated all over. A thick-set
muscular, able-bodied dog with a most intelligent expression.
The natural outline should not be artificially changed by scissoring
or clipping.
Characteristics
Of great stamina, exhibiting a gently rising top line, and a pear-shaped
body when viewed from above. The gait has a typical roll when
ambling or walking. Bark has a distinctive toned quality.
Temperament
A biddable dog of even disposition. Bold, faithful and trustworthy,
with no suggestion of nervousness or unprovoked aggression.
Head and Skull
In proportion to the size of the body. Skull capacious, rather
square. Well arched above eyes, stop well defined. Muzzle strong,
square and truncated, measuring approximately half of the total
head length. Nose large and black. Nostrils wide.
Eyes
Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes acceptable. Light
eyes undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rim is preferred.
Ears
Small and carried flat to side of head.
Mouth
Teeth strong, large, and evenly placed. Scissor bite - jaws strong
with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper
teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Pincer tolerated but undesirable.
Neck
Fairly long, strong, arched gracefully.
Forequarters
Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone, holding body
well from ground. Elbows fitting close to brisket. Shoulders should
be well laid back, being narrower at the point of withers than
at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders undesirable. Dog standing
lower at withers than loin.
Body
Rather short, and compact, with well sprung ribs, and deep capacious
brisket.
Hindquarters
Loin very sturdy, broad and gently arched, quarters well covered
round and muscular, the second thigh is long and well developed,
the stifle well turned, and the hocks set low. From the rear the
hocks should be quite straight, with the feet turning neither
in nor out.
Feet
Small, round and tight, toes well arched, pads thick and hard.
Dew claws should be removed.
Tail
Customarily docked or natural bobtail.
Docked: Customarily completely docked.
Undocked: Natural carriage. Well feathered with abundant, hard-textured
coat.
Gait/Movement
When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from the rear. When trotting,
shows effortless extension and strong driving rear action, with
legs moving straight along line of travel. Very elastic at the
gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may tend to pace. When moving,
the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower position.
Coat
Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and free
from curl. Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well covered
with hair, ears moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs
well coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest
of body. Quality, texture, and profusion to be considered above
mere length.
Colour
Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and hindquarters of solid
colour with or without white socks. White patches in the solid
area to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters and under belly
to be white with or without markings. Any shade of brown undesirable.
Size
Height: dogs: 61 cms (24 ins) and upwards; bitches: 56 cms (22
ins) and upwards. Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and
on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.
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.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.