Breed Standards
U.K. Breed Standards
General Appearance
A graceful , lithe , muscular dog , with no signs of weakness or coarseness .Whole head pear or wedge-shaped , and expression in repose mild and gentle .
Characteristics
Spirted and game , full of confidence . An intelligent companion with strong sporting instincts .
Temperament
Good tempered , having an affectionate nature , dignified , not shy or nervous . Mild in repose but full of courage when roused .
Head and Skull
Skull narrow , but deep and rounded , covered with profuse silky top-not which should be nearly white. Jaw long and tapering . There must be no 'stop' , the line from the occiput to the nose end straight and unbroken. Well filled up beneath eye. close fitting lips , without flews . Nostrils large and well defined .
Eyes
Small bright and deep set . Ideal eye has appearance of being triangular . Blues , a dark eye ; blue and tans have lighter eye with amber lights ; livers and sandies , a light hazel eye .
Ears
Moderate sized , filbert shaped , set on low , and hanging flat to the cheek . Thin and velvety in texture ; covered with short fine hair with fringe of whitish silky hair at tip .
Mouth
Teeth large and strong . Scissor bite , e.g. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw .
Neck
Long and tapering , deep base with no tendency to throatiness . Springs well up from the shoulders , and head carried rather high .
Forequarters
Forelegs straight , wider apart at the chest than at feet . Pasterns long and sloping without weakness . Shoulders flat and sloping .
Body
Muscular and markedly flexible . Chest deep and fairly broad . Flat ribbed , deep through brisket which reaches to elbow . Back has natural arch over loin , creating a definite tuck-up of underline . Body slightly greater in length than height .
Hindquarters
Muscular and moderate length , arched over loin with curved topline immediately over loins . Hind legs have the appearance of being longer than the forelegs . Hocks strong and well let down , turning neither in nor out .
Feet
Long hare feet with thick and well closed -up pads .
Tail
Moderate length , thick at root , tapering to a point and gracefully curved . Set on low , never carried over back .
Gait / Movement
Capable of galloping at high speeds and have appearance of being able to do so . Action very distinctive , rather mincing , light and springy in slower , and slight roll when in full stride .
Coat
Very distinctive . Thick and linty , standing well out from skin , but not wiry . A distinct tendency to twist , particularly on head and face .
Colour
Blue , liver or sandy , with or without tan . Darker pigment to be encouraged . Blues and blue-and-tans must have black noses ; livers and sandies must have brown noses .
Size
Height about 16 inches at withers . This allows for a slight variation below in the case of a bitch , and above in the case of a dog .Weight between 18 and 25 pounds .
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 direct proportion to its degree .
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum .
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U.S.A Breed Standards
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