Origin Great Britain
Standard Date of publication of the original valid standard : 29.10.2003
Classification F.C.I
Group 3 Terriers. Large and medium size terriers
Working trail optional.
General Appearance
Active and lively,bone and strength in samll compass, never cloddy nor coarse. Neither leggy nor too short in leg, standing like a well made, short backed hunter, covering a lot of ground.
Behaviour and Temperament
Alert, quick of movement,keen of expression, on tiptoe of expectation. Friendly, forthcoming and fearless.
Head
Skull: Flat, moderately narrow. Gradually decreasing in width to eyes.
Stop: Little apparent.
Nose: Black.
Muzzle:Jaws, upper and lower, strong and muscular, falling away only slightly below eyes. This portion of foreface moderately chiselled out, so as not to go down in a straight line like a wedge.
Jaw/Teeth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Cheeks: Never full.
Eyes Dark, small and rather deeply set, as near as possible circular in shape.
Expression bright and intelligent.
Ears Small, V-shaped and dropping forward close to sheek, not hanging by side of head. Fold of ear above level of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.
Neck Clean and muscular, without throatiness, of fair length and gradually widening to shoulders.
Body
Back: Short, level and strong without slackness.
Loin: Powerful, very slightly arched.
Chest: Deep, not broad.
Ribs: Foreribs moderately sprung, back ribs deep.
Tail Customarily docked.
Docked: Set on rather high and carried gaily but not over the back or curled. Of good strength.
Undocked: Set on rather high and carried gaily but not over the back. As straight as possible. Tail of moderate length to give balance to the dog.
Forequarters
From any angle they must be straight showing little or nor appearance of an ankle in front. They should be strong in bone throughout.
Shoulders Long and sloping, well laid back, fine at points, cleanly cut at withers.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular, quite free from droop or crouch.
Thighs Long and powerful.
Stifle Good turn of stifle.
Hocks Well let down.
Feet Small, round and compact. Pads hard and tough, toes moderately arched and turning neither in nor out.
Movement Fore- and hindlegs carried straights forward and parallel. Elbows move perpendicular to body, working free of sides, stifles neither turning in nor out and hocks not close. Good drive coming from well flexing hindquarters.
Coat
Hair: straight, flat, smooth, hard, dense and abundant. Belly and underside of thighs not bare.
Colour: White should predominate, all white, white with tan, black and tan or black markings. Brindle, red or liver markings highly undesirable.
Weight Dogs: 7,3 - 8,2 kg (16-18 lbs)
Bitches: 6,8 – 7,7 kg (15-17 lbs)
Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considerered a faulth and the seriousness with which the falut shuld be regarded shuld be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
This amended breed standard will become effective from April 2004.