A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as highly undesirable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
General appearance
Well-balanced, short-legged, rough-coated, compact hound. Alert outlook and lively bearing.
Characteristics
A strong, active hound capable of a day’s hunting, with a good voice purposefully used.
Temperament
Happy, extrovert, independent, yet willing to please.
Head and skull
Head carried proudly. Skull of moderate length, slightly domed, not too wide, oval when viewed from above. Well cut away under eyes. Occiput moderately well developed. Stop clearly defined. Muzzle square, length from nose to stop slightly less than from stop to occiput. Underjaw strong and well developed. Nose black, large and prominent, with wide nostrils. Lips covered with long hair forming beard and moustache.
Eyes
Large, dark and oval, showing no white, with a friendly, intelligent expression. Haw not visible. Long eyebrow hair standing forward, but not obscuring eyes.
Ears
Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair, folding inwards, ending in an oval shape. Not reaching beyond the tip of the nose. Set on low, just below the line of the eye.
Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Long and strong, thicker at the base, well set into shoulders; without dewlap.
Forequarters
Shoulders clean and well laid back. Upper arm approximately equal in length to the shoulder. Elbows close to body. Forearms straight when viewed from the front and well boned in proportion to size. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Knuckling over is unacceptable.
Body
Back of medium length. Length of body measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock exceeds height at withers at a ratio of approximately 7:5. Chest deep with prominent sternum. Ribs moderately rounded, well let down to elbow and extending well back. Level topline. Strong, short, well muscled loins. Croup well muscled and of good width.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular with good bend of stifle. Well defined second thigh. Hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.
Feet
Hard, tight padded, not too long. Nails strong and short.
Tail
Of medium length, reaching no further than the hock when lowered. Set on high, thick at the base, tapering gradually, well furnished with hair. Carried proudly, sabre-like when moving.
Gait/movement
Free at all paces, with good drive. Front action straight and reaching well forward; hocks turning neither in nor out.
Coat
Rough, not too long and without exaggeration; harsh to the touch, with thick undercoat, never silky or woolly. For show purposes the coat may be tidied, but a natural appearance must be retained. Trimming or stylising should be penalised.
Colour
White with any combination of lemon, orange, sable, grizzle or black markings. Tricolour.
Size
Height at withers 34-38 cms (13½ - 15 ins). A tolerance of 1cm (⅜ in) more or less is permissible.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.