Head and skull: the skull should be flat, well-chiselled and of medium width tapering towards the nose, with only a slight stop. The distance from the top of the head to the stop is slightly more than from the stop to the tip of the nose. The side lines of the skull taper gradually towards the mouth, giving a clean-cheeked appearance. Fine and profuse wrinkles should appear on the forehead when the ears are pricked, side wrinkles are desirable but should not be exaggerated into dewlap. Wrinkles are more noticeable in puppies, but, because of lack of shadowing, are not as noticeable in tri-colours. A black nose is greatly desired. Eyes: dark, almond shaped, obliquely set, far-seeing and rather inscrutable in expression. Ears: small, pointed, erect and slightly hooded, of fine texture, set well forward on top of the head, the tip of the ear should be nearer the centre of the skull than the outside base. Mouth: should be level, with scissors bite, the upper teeth slightly over-lapping and touching the lower teeth.
Neck: strong and of good length, without thickness, well-crested and slightly full at the base of the throat with a graceful curve accentuating the crest. It should be well-set into laid back shoulders so as to give the head a "lofty" carriage. Body: balanced with short, level back. Ribs well-sprung, deep and oval. Loin: short-coupled and the deep brisket running up into a definite waist.
Shoulders: must be well laid back, muscular but not loaded. Elbows: should be firmly tucked in against the brisket. Forelegs: should be straight with fine bone and very long forearms. Pasterns: should be of good length, straight but flexible. Hindquarters: strong and muscular, with hocks well let down, turned neither in nor out, with long second thighs and moderately bent stifles. Feet: small, narrow and compact, with deep pads, well-arched toes and short nails.
The tail should be high set with the posterior curve of the buttock extending beyond the root of the tail giving a reachy appearance to the hindquarters. The tail curls tightly over the spine and lies closely to the thigh with a single or double curl.
Coat: short, sleek and close, very fine. Skin very pliant. Colour: pure black and white; red and white; black and tan, and white with melon pips and tan markings on muzzle and cheeks; black; tan and white; brindle: red backgrounds with black stripes, the more clearly defined the stripes the better. The white should be on the feet, chest and tail tip. White legs, blaze and white collar optional.
Legs carried straight forward with a swift, long, tireless, swinging stride.
Height — 40-43 cm. Weight — 9.5-11 kg.
