Head: in proportion to body. Skull : flat and wide between ears, tapering towards eyes which are set wide apart. Stop: moderate, equidistant between nose and occiput. Nose: black or brown, in accordance to coat colour. Muzzle: tapering towards the nose. Lips: firm. Jaws/Teeth: scissor bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and setsquare to the jaws. Under or overshot to be discouraged. Eyes: almond-shaped, medium size, dark colour except in liver brown where they may be lighter to match coat colour. Ears: showing alert lift, or erect. Drop ears showing no lift undesirable.
Neck: moderate length, well set into shoulders. Topline: firm and level, never dipping at withers or falling at croup. Loin: short. Chest: well sprung ribbing, extending well back with close coupling.
Forequarters: Shoulder: well laid. Elbow: firm against ribs. Forearm: amply boned. Metacarpus (Pastern): pasterns allow feet to turn slightly outwards, but not enough to cause weakness or affect freedom of movement. Forefeet: small, firm and well padded. Hindquarters: General appearance: muscular. From rear should be parallel, when moving or standing. Stifle (Knee): well turned. Hock joint: well let down. Metatarsus (Rear pastern): never bandy or cow hocked. Hind feet: small, firm and well padded.
Set on high, left natural. Carried over back in a slight curve when alert, but not forming a complete ring.
Hair: fine undercoat is covered throughout by weather resistant, short, thick, hard, flat topcoat. Topcoat is slightly longer on neck. Undercoat should not show through topcoat nor allow any longer hair at the mane to stand off. Long, or excessively wavy coat is highly undesirable. Colour: black and tan or liver brown and tan with pigment to tone with coat colour, with rich tan spots on cheeks and often above eyes. Rich tan on muzzle and chest and from knees downwards, inside hind legs and under tail. A distinct black or liver mark (thumb mark), according to coat colour, immediately above front feet is desirable. Richness of tan may fade with age. White to be discouraged. A small white spot on fore-chest -although permissible is undesirable.
Smart and brisk. Natural, free movement.
Height at the withers: Males — 30 cm. Females — 25 cm.
