Head: the skull is broad and flat between the ears, slightly narrowing to the eye with a pronounced stop cheeks deep but not prominent. The muzzle, tapering to the nose, is strong and the same length as the skull. The lips are tight and clean and the nose is large with open nostrils. The nose colour in all dogs will be a solid colour with no pink or light pigment, and shall compliment the backgrounds colour of the dog . Eyes: the eyes are set wide apart, oval shaped of moderate size harmonising with the colour of the coat but darker colour preferred, except in the case of chocolate where a lighter colour is permissable and in the case of merles where blue is permissable. The expression is mild but keen, alert and intelligent. Ears: the ears should be of medium size and texture, set well apart, carried semi-erect and sensitive in their use and inside well furnished with hair. Mouth: the teeth should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors just behind but touching the upper, that is a scissor bite..
Neck: the neck is of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to the shoulders, without throatiness or coarseness. Body: the body is moderately long with well-sprung ribs tapering to a fairly deep and moderately broad chest.. The loins are broad, deep and muscular and only slightly arched, flanks deep and not cut up.
Forequarters: the shoulders are long and well angulated to the upper arm, neither in nor out at the elbow. The forelegs are well boned, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns show flexibility with a slight slope when viewed from the side. Hindquarters: the hindquarters are broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to the set on of the tail. The thighs are long, broad, deep, muscular with well turned stifles and strong hocks, well let down, and when viewed from the rear are straight and parallel. Feet: oval in shape, pads deep, strong and sound, toes moderately arched and close together. Nails short and strong.
The tail is moderately long, set on low, well furnished with an upward swirl towards the end, completing the graceful contour and balance of the dog. The tail may be raised in excitement but not carried over the back.
Coat: double coated, with a moderately long, dense, medium textured topcoat while the undercoat is short, soft and dense, making a weather resisting protection with an abundant coat to form a mane, breeching and brush. On face, ear tips, forelegs (except for feather), hindlegs from hock to ground, the hair is short and smooth. A smooth coat is acceptable. Colour: a variety of colours is permissible, but white should never predominate.
The movement is free, smooth and tireless, with a minimum lift of the feet, conveying the impression of the ability to move with great stealth. The action, viewed from the front, should be straight forward and true, without weakness at shoulders, elbows or pasterns. Viewed from behind the quarters thrust with strength and flexibility, with hocks not close nor too far apart. When trotting, the dog's feet tend to come closer together as speed increases, but when the dog comes to rest he should stand four square. Any tendency to stiltiness or to cowhocks or bowhocks is a serious fault.
Height: Dogs — 48-53 cm. Bitches — 46-51 cm.
