Race standard
| 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 |
| SIZE Height: ideal 30 cms (12 ins) at shoulder. Weight in proportion to size with overall balance the prime consideration. |
| 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 9 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. |
| BODY Chest moderately broad with prominent breastbone. Body fairly long and strong, with deep brisket, well sprung ribs, clearly defined waist. Top line level. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| TEMPERAMENT Alert, intelligent, steady not shy or aggressive. |
| 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 |
