General Appearance

Sturdily built, robust, sinewy, nearly square, (length of body equal to height at shoulders). Expression keen and attitude alert. Correct conformation is of more importance than colour or purely "beauty" points.

Characteristics

Strong, vigorous dog capable of great endurance.

Temperament

Alert, reliable and intelligent. Primarily a companion dog.

Coat

Harsh, wiry and short enough for smartness. Closer on neck and shoulders; clean on throat, skull and ears. Harsh hair on legs. Dense undercoat essential.

Colour

Pure black (white markings on head, chest and legs undesirable) or pepper and salt. Pepper and salt shades range from dark iron grey to light grey; good pigmentation. Hairs banded dark/light/dark. Facial mask to harmonise with corresponding coat colour.

Size

Ideal height at withers: dogs: 48.3 cms (19 ins); bitches: 45.7 cms (18 ins). Any variations of more than 2.5 cms (1 in) in these heights undesirable.

Breed Group: Utility

The breed standard is copyrighted by the UK Kennel Club. Click here for the full KC description

General Appearance

Sturdily built, robust, sinewy, nearly square, (length of body equal to height at shoulders). Expression keen and attitude alert. Correct conformation is of more importance than colour or other purely 'beauty' points.

Characteristics

Well balanced, smart, stylish and adaptable.

Temperament

Alert, reliable and intelligent. Primarily a companion dog.

Coat

Harsh, wiry and short enough for smartness, dense undercoat. Clean on neck and shoulders, ears and skull. Harsh hair on legs. Furnishings fairly thick but not silky.

Colour

Pepper and salt - shades range from dark iron grey to light grey. Hairs banded dark/light/dark. Dark facial mask to harmonise with corresponding coat colour. Pure Black. Black and silver - solid black with silver markings on eyebrows, muzzle, chest, brisket, forelegs below point of elbow, inside of hindlegs below stifle joint, vent and under tail. White. Good pigmentation essential in all colours.

Size

Ideal height: dogs: 35.6 cms (14 ins); bitches: 33 cms (13 ins). Too small, toyish appearing dogs are not typical and undesirable.

Breed Group: Utility

The breed standard is copyrighted by the UK Kennel Club. Click here for the full KC description.

General Appearance

Powerfully built, robust, sinewy, appearing almost square. Imposing, with keen expression and alert attitude. Correct conformation of the utmost importance.

Characteristics

Versatile, strong, hardy, intelligent and vigorous. Adaptable, capable of great speed and endurance and resistant to weather.

Temperament

Bold, reliable, good-natured and composed.

Coat

Top coat harsh and wiry, just short enough for smartness on body. Slightly shorter on neck and shoulders, but blending smoothly into body coat. Clean on throat, skull, ears and under tail. Good undercoat. Harsh hair on legs.

Colour

(a) Pure black (b) Pepper and salt: Shades range from dark iron grey to light grey; hairs banded black/light/black. Dark facial mask essential, harmonising with corresponding body colour. On both colours white markings on head, chest and legs undesirable. Good pigmentation essential.

Size

Height: dogs: 65-70 cms (25.5-27.5 ins); bitches: 60-65 cms (23.5-25.5 ins). Variations outside these limits undesirable.

Breed Group: Working

The breed standard is copyrighted by the UK Kennel Club. Click here for the full KC description.