Breed Standards

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General Appearance

  • Build: Strong, short-coupled, very active.

  • Body: Broad skull, broad chest, deep ribs, and strong loins and hindquarters.

Characteristics

  • Temperament: Good-natured, agile, and water-loving with a strong bond to humans.

  • Traits: Excellent nose, soft mouth, adaptable, and a devoted companion.

Temperament

  • Personality: Intelligent, eager to please, kind nature, non-aggressive, and not shy.

Head and Skull

  • Skull: Broad with a defined stop, clean-cut, no fleshy cheeks.

  • Jaws: Medium length, powerful, not snipey.

  • Nose: Wide, well-developed nostrils.

Eyes

  • Size: Medium, expressing intelligence and good temper.

  • Colour: Brown or hazel.

Ears

  • Shape: Not large or heavy, hanging close to the head and set back.

Mouth

  • Teeth: Strong, with a regular and complete scissor bite (upper teeth overlapping lower).

Neck

  • Description: Clean, strong, and powerful, fitting well into the shoulders.

Forequarters

  • Shoulders: Long and sloping.

  • Legs: Well-boned and straight from elbow to ground.

Body

  • Chest: Wide and deep with well-sprung ribs.

  • Topline: Level.

  • Loins: Wide, short-coupled, and strong.

Hindquarters

  • Structure: Well-developed, not sloping to the tail.

  • Hocks: Well let down, cowhocks undesirable.

Feet

  • Shape: Round, compact with well-arched toes and developed pads.

Tail

  • Shape: Thick at the base, tapering to the tip, medium length, with a thick, short, dense coat.

  • Movement: Carried gaily, but not curled over the back.

Gait/Movement

  • Style: Free and true, covering adequate ground.

Coat

  • Texture: Short, dense, with no wave or feathering. Weather-resistant undercoat.

Colour

  • Colours: Black, yellow (ranging from light cream to red fox), and liver/chocolate.

  • Markings: A small white spot on the chest is permissible.

Size

  • Height:

    • Dogs: 56-57 cm (22-22.5 inches)

    • Bitches: 55-56 cm (21.5-22 inches)

Faults

  • Any deviation from the standard should be assessed based on its severity and its impact on health and function.

Notes

  • Male Health: Should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.