GENERAL APPEARANCE Strong, square looking dog of great
symmetry and overall soundness. Absolutely free of 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
topline, 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 & 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 rims 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 the 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 completely docked.
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 61 cms (24 inches) and upwards for dogs, 56 cms (22
inches) and upwards for bitches. 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 in exact proportion to its degree.
NOTE Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.