Head: large, strong, moderately long. Length of skull is 5: 4 in proportion to bridge of nose. Longitudinal axis of skull and muzzle are very slightly diverging to almost parallel. Seen from above, the skull and muzzle must be long and even in shape without marked difference between the width at set-on of muzzle and width at temple. Seen from the side, the head must be deep and not bulging. Skull: broad, strong, slightly convex in profile. Width of skull equal to or slightly broader than length. Occipital bone pronounced. Stop: gentle, barely emphasized, but still visible. Nose Leather: black, moist, large and broad. Muzzle: seen from the side, the bridge of the nose must be straight. Seen from above, the muzzle is slightly triangular, tapering very gradually from its set on to the nose leather, without, however, getting pointed. Lips: the upper lip should cover the lower without any hint of slackness. The lower lip forms a marked labial corner. Mucous membranes should be black. Eyes: small, almond shaped, hazel coloured. Dark eyes preferred. Expression is alert, noble, sympathetic and intelligent, but can be extraordinarily stern towards an opponent. Eye lids: black pigmented. When the dog is alert, lids fitting close to eyeball are preferred. In repose, a slight slackness of the lower lid, which shows a small stripe of conjunctiva, is typical of the breed. Ears: medium size, triangular, hanging flat. Set on above the line of the eyes. In repose, hanging close to the cheeks. When the dog is alert, clearly standing away from the cheeks. One third of the upper and rear part should be slightly pricked. Mouth: scissor bite. Teeth white, strong and healthy. Canines, large, long, pointed and well adapted to each other, so as to be able to catch any prey. Molars, large and strong. Incisors, rather small. All premolars should be present. Gums black with pronounced transverse membraneous ridges.
Neck: should be the shape of a blunt cone, broad, strong, muscular and flexible. Skin thick and slightly loose. Distinct double dewlap, well formed, yet not exaggerated. Body: rectangular, powerful and robust, giving the impression of great strength, yet supple and agile. Upperline (Topline): straight, horizontal standing and moving. Withers: well pronounced. Back: strong and muscular. Chest: broad, deep, muscular and powerful. Point of the sternum protruding. Ribs spaced widely apart with rounded ribcage, not flat. Proportion of height at withers to girth of chest: approximately 7:10.
Forequarters: seen from the front, absolutely vertical, straight and parallel. Muscles and sinews clearly visible. Length of forearm three times the length of the pastern. Good strength of bone, strong pastern. Shoulders: well muscled, Shoulder blade sloping, longer than the forearm. Angle of the shoulder blade to the upper arm approximately 100 degrees. Hindquarters: powerful and muscular. Adequate angulations, seen from the side. Seen from the rear and side, limbs are vertical. Hocks straight and vertical. Hindquarters must have the ability to provide forceful drive with ease and elegance. Front feet: cat feet. Toes tight with strong, well-arched toe bones. Nails and pads strong and robust. Skin between toes moderately developed, hairy. Hind feet: cat feet of light oval shape, slightly longer than the forefeet.
Set on medium high. Thick at root, strong and flexible. The coat on tail is definitely long, soft and forms a beautiful plume. In repose it hangs low and reaches easily to the hocks. The last third is always slightly curved. In movement and when the dog is alert, it is carried in sabre form with a definite hook at the tip but without the entire length being bent or resting over the back.
Skin: elastic, thick, pink in colour, with dark pigmented patches. All mucous membranes should be black. Coat: dense, thick and of moderate length. The ideal medium length, measured on middle section of the topline, should be 6 to 9 cm. The coat is longer on the shoulders, neck, under belly, at the back of the legs as well as on the tail. On the plume, the texture is not as bristly as elsewhere on the body. The coat should be bristly, not woolly in texture. Colour: basically white and always with a well-defined mask; marks [patches] similar in colour to that of the mask, spread over the body, with irregular but well defined shape. Ears always marked. Totally white or tricoloured animals are undesirables. The most appreciated colours are: snow white with medium grey marks, deep gold yellow, dusk, black, silver grey, light tan, sand or brindle. Red for the marks or yellowish white for the whole bottom are not desired.
Preferred movement is the trot, which should be harmonious, strong and elegant. No tendency for legs to swing outward. No pacing.
Heigth at withers: Dogs — 77–81 cm. Bitches —72–75 cm. Weight — 55-70 kg.
