A Breed Standard is the
guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance
of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness
is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid
obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to
the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain
conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect
dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer
to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature
or quality is desirable it should only
be
present in the right measure.
General Appearance:
Powerful build, symmetrical, showing great strength, but not cumbersome, sound
and active.
Characteristics: Powerful, enduring, active and
reliable.
Temperament: High spirited, alert and faithful.
Head & Skull: Skull large and square
viewed from every angle, fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose.
Skull broad and deep with well filled cheeks. Pronounced stop. Muzzle short,
distance from tip of nose to stop approximately one-third of length from tip of
nose to centre of Occiput, broad under eyes and
sustaining nearly same width to end of nose, blunt and cut off square, forming
right angle with upper line of face, and at the same time proportionate with
skull. Under-jaw broad to end. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils, flat,
neither pointed nor turned up in profile. Flews not pendulous, never hanging
below level of lower jaw.
Eyes: Dark or hazel, of medium size, set apart the width
of the muzzle with furrow between. Light or yellow eyes highly undesirable.
Ears: V-shaped, folded forward, set on wide and high,
level of occiput giving square appearance to skull which is most important. Small
and deeper in colour than body. Point of ear level
with eye when alert. Rose ears are highly undesirable.
Mouth: Level desired but slightly undershot allowed but
not preferred. Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even
and well placed.
Neck: Well arched, moderate length, very muscular and
almost equal to skull in circumference.
Forequarters: Chest, wide and deep, well
let down btween forelegs, with deep brisket.
Shoulders muscular, sloping and powerful, not overloaded. Forelegs powerful and
straight, well boned, set wide apart, presenting a straight front. Pasterns
straight and strong.
Body: Back short and straight, giving compact carriage,
but not so short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs highly
undesirable.
Hindquarters: Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of
flank. Hindlegs strong and muscular, with well developed second thighs, denoting power and activity,
not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent. Cow hocks highly undesirable.
Feet: Well arched, cat like, with rounded toes, pads
hard. Dark toe nails desirable. Splayed feet highly undesirable.
Tail: Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching to
hocks, carried straight or curved, but not hound fashion. Crank tails highly
undesirable.
Gait/Movement: Movement indicates power and sense of
purpose. When moving straight neither front nor hind legs should cross or
plait, right front and left rear leg rising and falling at same time. A firm
backline unimpaired by powerful thrust from hindlegs
denoting a balanced and harmonious movement.
Coat: Short and hard, weather resistant, lying flat to
body. Long, silky or woolly coats highly undesirable.
Colour: Any shade of brindle, fawn or red; colour
to be pure and clear. A slight white marking on chest permissable.
Other white markings undesirable. Black muzzle essential, toning off towards
eyes, with dark markings around eyes contributing to expression.
Size: Height at shoulder: Dogs 63.5 - 68.5cms
(25-27ins); Bitches 61 - 66cms (24 - 26ins). Weight: Dogs 50 - 60kgs (110 -
130lbds); Bitches 41 - 50kgs (90 - 110lbs).
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.