FCI-Standard No 39 / 28.11.2003 / GB

ORIGIN : Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 29.10.2003.

UTILIZATION : Sheepdog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs). Section 1 Sheepdogs. Without working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Low set, strong, sturdily built, alert and active, giving impression of substance and stamina in small space.

CHARACTERISTICS

Bold in outlook, workmanlike.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT

Outgoing and friendly never nervous or aggressive.

HEAD

Head foxy in shape and appearance, with alert, intelligent expression, skull fairly wide and flat between ears, moderate amount of stop. Length of foreface to be in proportion to skull 3 to 5. Muzzle slightly tapering. Nose black.
Jaws / teeth : Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes: Well set, round, medium size, brown, blending with colour of coat.
Ears: Pricked, medium sized, slightly rounded. Line drawn from tip of nose through eye should, if extended, pass through, or close to tip of ear.

NECK

Fairly long.

BODY

Medium length, well sprung ribs, not short coupled, slightly tapering, when viewed from above. Level topline. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.

TAIL

Short, preferably natural.
Docked : Short.
Undocked : Set in line with the topline, carried low not curled over back. Carried in line with back when moving, low at rest. Too high or too low tail set is undesirable.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Lower legs short and as straight as possible, upper arm moulded round chest. Ample bone, carried right down to feet. Elbows fitting closely to sides, neither loose nor tied. Shoulders well laid, and angulated at 90 degrees to the upper arm.

HINDQUARTERS : Strong and flexible, well angulated stifle. Legs short. Ample bone carried right down to feet. Hocks straight when viewed from behind.

FEET : Oval, toes strong, well arched, and tight, two centre toes slightly advance, of two outer, pads strong and well arched. Nails short.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

Free and active, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs move well forward, without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hindlegs.

COAT

HAIR : Medium length, straight with dense undercoat, never soft, wavy or wiry.

COLOUR : Self colours in Red, Sable, Fawn, Black and Tan, with or without white markings on legs, brisket and neck. Some white on head and foreface permissible.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Height : approximately 25.4-30,5 cm (10-12 ins) at shoulder.
Weight : Dogs 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs). Bitches 10-11 kgs (20-24 lbs).

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.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

NB: Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

This amended breed standard will become effective from April 2004.