|
|
|
|
General Appearance Large, Powerful, Alert,
with much substance and heavy bone.
Characteristic Large, Broad head, with
relatively small eyes and erect ears carried forward in line with back of neck;
Large, curled tail, in balance with head.
Temperament Dignified, courageous, aloof,
tends to show dominance to other dogs.
Head and Skull Large, in balance with body,
skull flat, forehead broad, defined stop and clear furrow. Head forms blunt
triangle when viewed from above, free from wrinkle, muzzle broad and strong,
cheeks well developed. Nose large and black, bridge straight.
Lips tight and black. In white dogs flesh
colour pigmentation is permissible on nose and lips. Length from nose to stop is
to length from stop to occiput as 2 is to 3.
Eyes Relatively small, almond shaped, clean,
moderately set apart and dark brown. Eye rims dark and tight.
Ears Relatively small, thick, triangular,
not low set, carried forward over eyes in line with back of neck, firmly erect.
Moderately set apart, slightly rounded at tips.
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 Thick and muscular, comparatively
short, widening gradually toward shoulders. Pronounced crest blends with back of
skull.
Forequarters Shoulders strong and powerful,
moderately laid back. Elbows very tight, forelegs well boned and straight when
viewed from front. Pasterns inclining at approximately 15 degrees.
Body Longer than high, as 10 is to 9 in
males, 11 to 9 inches in bitches. Chest wide and deep, depth of brisket is one-
half height of dog at shoulder. Well developed forechest. Level back, firmly
muscled loin, moderate tuck up. Skin pliant but not loose.
Hindquarters Strong and muscular, well
developed thighs, moderate turn of stifle. Strong hocks, with only moderate
angulation, well let down, turning neither in nor out.
Feet Thick, well- knuckled, very tight,
turning neither in nor out. Pads hard, nails hard. Dewclaws on hind legs
customarily removed.
Tail Large and full, set high, carried over
back, full or double curl, always dipping to or below level of back. On a three
quarter curl tail, tip dips down flank. Root large and strong. Hair course,
straight and full with no appearance of a plume. Sickle or uncurled tail highly
undesirable.
Gait / Movement Resilient and vigorous with
strides of moderate length. Back remains firm and level. Hind legs move in line
with front legs, whilst gaiting will single track.
Coat Outer coat course, straight, and
standing off body. Undercoat soft and dense. Coat at withers and rump is
approximately
5 cms ( 2 ins ), slightly longer than on rest of body more profuse on tail. No
indication of ruff or feathering.
Colour Any colour including white brindle or
pinto. Colours are brilliant and clear. Markings are well defined with or
without mask or blaze.
Size Height at withers : Dogs: 66-71 cms (
26- 28 ins ) ; Bitches : 61-66 cms ( 24- 26ins ).
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 with its degree .
Note: Male animals should have two
apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.