Kennel Club Breed Standard
(Last updated October 2009)
The Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour 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.
General Appearance
Small, dainty, compact.
Characteristics
Alert little dog; swift-moving with brisk, forceful action and saucy expression.
Temperament
Gay, spirited and intelligent, neither snappy nor withdrawn.
Head and Skull
Well rounded ‘apple dome’ skull, cheeks and jaws lean, muzzle moderately short, slightly pointed. Definite stop.
Eyes
Large, round, but not protruding; set well apart; centre of eye is on a plane with lowest point of ear and base of stop; dark or ruby. Light eyes in light colours permissible.
Ears
Large, flaring, set on at an angle of approximately 45 degrees; giving breadth between ears. Tipped or broken down highly undesirable.
Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Slightly arched, medium length.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid; lean, sloping into slightly broadening support above straight forelegs, set well under chest giving freedom of movement without looseness.
Body
Level back. Body, from point of shoulder to rear point of croup, slightly longer than height at withers. Well sprung ribs, deep brisket.
Hindquarters
Muscular; hocks well let down, with good turn of stifle, well apart, turning neither in nor out.
Feet
Small and dainty, turning neither in nor out; toes well divided but not spread, pads cushioned, fine, strong, flexible pasterns. Neither hare- nor cat-like, nails moderately short.
Tail
Medium length, set high, carried up and over back (sickle tail). When moving never tucked under or curled below the topline. Furry, flattish in appearance, broadening slightly in centre and tapering to point.
Gait/Movement
Brisk, forceful action, neither high-stepping nor hackney; good reach without slackness in forequarters, good drive in hindquarters. Viewed from front and behind legs should move neither too close nor too wide, with no turning in or out of feet or pasterns. Topline should remain firm and level when moving.
Coat
Smooth Coat: smooth, of soft texture, close and glossy, with undercoat and ruff permissible.
Colour
Any colour or mixture of colours but never merle (dapple).
(See the colour list added below)
Size
Weight: up to 2.7 kgs (6 lbs), with 1.8 - 2.7 kgs (4 - 6 lbs) preferred.
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 and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – the Kennel Club Breed Standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the Size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the Size measurements stated in the Breed Standard
Kennel Club Breed Colours recognised
Kennel Club Breed Colours recognised
When searching for any puppy of a pedigree breed it is very important that you read the Breed Standard so that you are aware of the ideal picture of the breed.
The following colours are currently used for registration but some of them may not appear in the Breed Standard so If you think you might be interested in showing your puppy, or you wish to maintain the colours which are considered by serious breed enthusiasts and the Kennel Club to be the correct ones, you will need to look into the breed standard further.
Black
Black & Tan
Black & White
Black Particolour
Blue
Blue & Tan
Blue & White
Blue Fawn
Blue Fawn & White
Blue Fawn Sable
Blue Sable
Blue Sable & White
Chocolate
Chocolate & Gold
Chocolate & Tan
Chocolate Tan & White
Cream
Cream & White
Cream Sable
Dark Sable
Fawn
Fawn & White
Fawn Sable
Gold
Gold & White
Gold Sable
Red
Red & White
Red Sable
Red Sable & White
Sable
Sable & White
Tricolour
White
White & Chocolate
Wolf Sable
Colour Not Recognised indicates that a colour is not correct as regards the Breed Standard for the breed. The Breed Standard describes the desired colours in the breed, and while other colours may exist, these are considered undesirable in this breed. Undesirable colours may have occurred due to out crossing, or should be avoided if they are known to indicate conditions which can be detrimental to health. It should be noted however that where a colour is known to be detrimental to health the Kennel Club will refuse registration.