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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 over 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 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 coarse, 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. Hindlegs move in line with front legs, whilst gaiting will
single track.
Coat
Outer coat coarse, 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 (24-26
ins).
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.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum. |
