KENNEL CLUB LISTED BREED STANDARDS
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function
Rottweiler: Shiba Inu: Wheaten Terrier:
Australian Shepherd: Cavalier King Charles: Cocker Spaniel:
General Appearance Well balanced, length slightly greater than height. Medium size, solid and muscular. Various colours. Expression alert, keen and friendly.
Characteristics Intelligent, strong herding and guarding instincts. Great stamina, loyal, attentive, animated, lithe, agile; able to change speed and direction instantly.
Temperament Even disposition. May show initial reserve, never shy or aggressive.
Head and Skull In proportion to body. Clean cut. Dry. Muzzle equal to, or a little shorter than length of skull. Skull of equal length and width with slight dome. From side, top of muzzle and skull on parallel planes. Moderate, well defined stop. Muzzle tapers slightly toward nose, ending in rounded tip. Nose: In blue Merle's and blacks - black; in red Merle's and reds - liver/brown. Merle's may have small pink spots.
Eyes Brown, blue or amber, or combination including flecks and marbling. Oval shaped, of moderate size, neither protruding nor sunken. Eye rims: blue Merle's and blacks - black; in red Merle's and reds - liver/brown.
Ears Triangular; of moderate size and thickness, set high. Breaking forward or to side when attracted.
Mouth Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated.
Neck Moderate length, strong, slightly arched; fitting smoothly into shoulders.
Forequarters Shoulder blades long and flat, well laid back, set close at withers. Upper arms of comparable length. Legs straight from all sides, with strong oval bone. Medium length, slightly sloping pasterns.
Body Strong, with firm level top-line. Croup moderately sloping. Chest deep, of moderate width, with brisket reaching to elbow. Ribs well sprung and long. Underline shows moderate tuck-up.
Hindquarters Same width as forequarters. Corresponding angulation of pelvis and upper thighs to scapulae and upper arms. Well defined stifles, moderate angle of hock joints. Hocks well let down, perpendicular to ground and parallel when viewed from rear.
Feet Oval. Closely set, well arched toes; thick pads.
Tail Previously customarily docked or may be naturally bobbed. Docked: Straight, docked to no more than 10 Cm's (4ins) length. Un-docked: Set low following line of croup. Of moderate length. Never curled or carried over back. Well feathered. In overall balance with the rest of the dog.
Gait/Movement Agile, smooth, free and easy, with good forward reach. Fore-and hind legs move straight and parallel but may converge at speed.
Coat Medium length and texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant with undercoat. Short hair on head, ears front of forelegs and below hock joints. Back of legs moderately feathered. Moderate mane, more pronounced in dogs than bitches.
Colour Blue Merle, black, red Merle, red, all with or without tan points. May have white as follows: white collar no further back than point of withers at skin. White on neck as full or part collar, chest, muzzle, underparts, moderate blaze. Coloured coat surrounding pigmented eye rims.
Size Dogs: 51-58 Cm's (20-23 inches). Bitches: 46-53 Cm's (18-21 inches).
General Appearance
Active, graceful and well balanced, with gentle expression.
Characteristics
Sporting, affectionate, absolutely fearless.
Temperament
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive; no tendency to nervousness.
Head and Skull
Skull almost flat between ears. Stop shallow. Length from base of stop to tip of nose about 3.8 Cm's (11/2 ins). Nostrils black and well developed without flesh marks, muzzle well tapered. Lips well developed but not pendulous. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency to snipiness undesirable.
Eyes
Large, dark, round but not prominent; spaced well apart.
Ears
Long, set high, with plenty of feather.
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
Moderate length slightly arched.
Forequarters,
Chest moderate, shoulders well laid back; straight legs moderately boned.
Body
Short-coupled with good spring of rib. Level back.
Hindquarters
Legs with moderate bone; well turned stifle - no tendency to cow hocks or sickle-hocks.
Feet
Compact, cushioned and well feathered.
Tail
Length of tail in balance with body, well set on, carried happily but never much above the level of the back. Docking previously optional when no more than one-third was to be removed.
Gait/Movement
Free-moving and elegant in action, plenty of drive from behind. Forelegs and hind legs move parallel when viewed from in front and behind.
Coat
Long, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Plenty of feathering. Totally free from trimming.
Colour
Colour Recognised colours are:
Black and Tan: raven black with tan markings above the eyes, on cheeks, inside ears, on chest and legs and underside of tail. Tan should be bright. White marks undesirable.
Ruby: whole coloured rich red. White markings undesirable.
Blenheim: rich chestnut markings well broken up, on pearly white ground. Markings evenly divided on head, leaving room between ears for much valued lozenge mark or spot (a unique characteristic of the breed).
Tricolour: black and white well spaced, broken up, with tan markings over eyes, cheeks, inside ears, inside legs, and on underside of tail.
Any other colour or combination of colours highly undesirable.
Size
Weight: 5.4-8.2 kg (12-18 lbs). A small, well balanced dog well within these weights desirable
.
General Appearance
Merry, sturdy, sporting; well balanced; compact; measuring approximately same from withers to ground as from withers to root of tail.
Characteristics
Merry nature with ever-wagging tail shows a typical bustling movement, particularly when following scent, fearless of heavy cover.
Temperament
Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance.
Head and Skull
Square muzzle, with distinct stop set midway between tip of nose and occiput. Skull well developed, cleanly chiseled, neither too fine nor too coarse. Cheek bones not prominent. Nose sufficiently wide for acute scenting power.
Eyes
Full, but not prominent. Dark brown or brown, never light, but in the case of liver, liver roan and liver and white, dark hazel to harmonise with coat; with expression of intelligence and gentleness but wide awake, bright and merry; rims tight.
Ears
Set low on a level with eyes. Fine leathers extending to nose tip. Well clothed with long, straight silky hair.
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
Moderate in length, muscular. Set neatly into fine sloping shoulders. Clean throat.
Forequarters
Shoulders sloping and fine. Legs well boned, straight, sufficiently short for concentrated power. Not too short to interfere with tremendous exertions expected from this grand, sporting dog.
Body
Strong, compact. Chest well developed and brisket deep; neither too wide nor too narrow in front. Ribs well sprung. Loin short, wide with firm, level top line gently sloping downwards to tail from end of loin to set on of tail.
Hindquarters
Wide, well rounded, very muscular. Legs well boned, good bend of stifle, short below hock allowing for plenty of drive.
Feet
Firm, thickly padded, cat-like.
Tail
Set on slightly lower than line of back. Must be merry in action and carried level, never cocked up. Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Never too short to hide, nor too long to interfere with, the incessant merry action when working.
Un-docked: Slightly curved, of moderate length, proportionate to size of body giving an overall balanced appearance; ideally not reaching below the hock. Strong at the root and tapering to a fine tip; well feathered in keeping with the coat. Lively in action, carried on a plane not higher than level of back and never so low as to indicate timidity.
Gait/Movement
True through action with great drive covering ground well.
Coat
Flat, silky in texture, never wiry or wavy, not too profuse and never curly. Well feathered forelegs, body and hind legs above hocks.
Colour
Various. In self colours no white allowed except on chest.
Size
Height approximately: dogs: 39-41 Cm's (151/2-16 ins); bitches: 38-39 Cm's (15-151/2 ins). Weight approximately: 13-14.5 kg (28-32 lbs).
General Appearance
Small, well balanced, sturdy dog of Spitz type. Very slightly longer than height at withers.
Characteristics
Lively and friendly.Bright, active, keen and alert.
Head and Skull
Head appears as a blunt triangle when viewed from above. Broad flat skull, cheeks well developed. Definite stop with slight furrow. Muzzle straight, of good depth, tapering gradually. Lips tight. Black nose preferred but flesh coloured acceptable in white dogs.
Eyes
Relatively small, almond, obliquely set well apart and dark brown.
Ears
Small, triangular, pricked and inclining slightly forward.
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
Slightly arched, medium length, thick and muscular.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately sloping. Elbows set close to the body. Fore-chest well developed. Forearms straight. Pasterns slightly sloping.
Body
Withers high and well developed. Short loin, level back. Deep chest. Moderate spring of rib. Belly moderate tuck up.
Hindquarters
Long upper thigh; short, strong second thigh. Hocks strong and parallel when seen from rear, turning neither in nor out. Well developed. Slight but definite bend of stifle.
Feet
Cat-like with firm, tight, well knuckled toes. Pads firm and elastic. Dark nails preferred.
Tail
Set on high. Thick and carried curled or curved as a sickle.
Gait/Movement
Light, quick and energetic.
Coat
Hard, straight outer coat with soft dense undercoat. Hair on tail slightly longer.
Colour
Red: Intense, clear red. White markings restricted to eye spots, cheeks, under jaw, fore-chest, underparts and underside of tail and legs. No white above elbows or hock. Red Sesame: Red with an even overlay of black guard hairs; black to be not less than 25%, or more than 50% of normal red area. White markings in Red and Red Sesame restricted to eye spots, cheeks, under jaw, fore-chest, underparts, and underside of tail and legs. No white above elbows or hock. The white marking on the fore-chest resembling the shape of a bow-tie. Colour Eye spots in Red Sesame may be tan.
Black and Tan: Dull black with a bronze cast. Tan markings restricted to eye spots, cheeks, inside of ears, legs and tail. White markings as in Red and Red Sesame. Tan markings only occur between black and white areas.
White: White coat with red or grey tinges. White undercoat.
Size
Height: dogs: 39.5 Cm's (151/2 ins); bitches: 36.5 Cm's (141/2 ins ) with allowance of 1.5 Cm's (3/4 in) either way.
General Appearance
Medium-sized, compact, upstanding terrier well covered with a soft, wheaten-coloured, natural coat that falls in loose curls or waves. An active, short-coupled dog, strong and well built; well balanced in structure and movement, not exaggerated in any way. Standing four square with head and tail up, giving the appearance of a happy dog, full of character.
Characteristics
A natural terrier with strong sporting instincts, hardy and of strong constitution.
Temperament
Good-tempered, spirited and game. Full of confidence and humour; a delightful, affectionate, intelligent companion.
Head and Skull
Flat, moderately long and profusely covered with coat which falls forward over the eyes. Skull of medium width but not coarse. Stop well defined, cheek bones not prominent. Distance from eye to nose not longer, and preferably shorter, than the distance from the eyes to occiput. Jaws strong and punishing, muzzle square with no suggestion of snipiness. Top line of muzzle absolutely straight and parallel with skull. Nose black and large for size of dog. Head in general powerful, without being coarse.
Eyes
Clear, bright dark hazel. Medium size set under strong brow. Eye rims black.
Ears
V-shaped and folded at level of skull. Forward edge drops down slightly forward to lie closely along cheek, back edge standing slightly away from side of head. Leathers thin, small to medium in size, covered with coat and fringe.
Mouth
Lips tight and black. Teeth large. 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
Moderately long, strong, muscular and slightly arched. Without throatiness. Gradually widening toward, and running cleanly into shoulders.
Forequarters
Shoulders long, well laid back, and sloping inwards from points to withers. Not loose, fine, but muscular. Viewed from any angle, the forelegs perfectly straight. Good bone and muscle. Pasterns strong and springy. Chest moderately wide.
Body
Compact, with powerful short loins. Back strong and level. Ribs well sprung without roundness, providing deep chest with relatively short coupling. Length of back from point of withers to base of tail should measure about the same as, or slightly less than, from point of withers to ground.
Hindquarters
Thighs strong and muscular. Hind Legs well developed with powerful muscle and well bent stifles. Hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.
Feet
Strong, and compact, turned neither in nor out. Good depth of pad. Toenails black.
Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set on high, carried gaily but never over back. Not curled and not too thick.
Un-docked: Set on high, carried gaily but never over back, not curled and not too thick. Tip may curve forward in a gentle arc. Length in overall balance with the rest of dog.
Gait/Movement
Free, graceful and lively. Well coordinated with long, low strides. Reach in front and good drive behind; straight action fore and aft. Head and tail carried high, the back line remaining level.
Coat
Soft and silky. Neither woolly nor wiry. Loosely waved or curly, but if curly, curls large, light and loose. The coat should not stand off but flow and fall naturally. Coat abundant all over body and especially profuse on head and legs. Length of leg coat sufficient to give good balance to the length of coat on head and body. There is no seasonal change in the length or texture of the mature coat. Over-trimming or stylising should be penalised. For show purposes the coat may be tidied to present a neat outline. Coat colour and texture do not stabilize until about 24 months and should be given some latitude in young dogs.
Colour
A good clear wheaten. A shade of ripening wheat. A white coat and red coat equally objectionable. Dark shading on ears not untypical. Often a slight fluctuation in the intensity of colour in mature coat, but overall effect should be light wheaten. Dark overall colour and the even darker markings often present in the immature coat, should clear by about 18-24 months.
Size
Height: dogs: approximately 46-49 Cm's (18-191/2 ins) measured at the withers; bitches slightly less. Weight: dogs approximately 16-20.5 kg (35-45 lbs); bitches somewhat less.
General Appearance
Above average size, stalwart dog. Correctly proportioned, compact and powerful form, permitting great strength, manoeuvrability and endurance.
Characteristics
Appearance displays boldness and courage. Self-assured and fearless. Calm gaze should indicate good humour.
Temperament
Good natured, not nervous, aggressive or vicious; courageous, biddable, with natural guarding instincts.
Head and Skull
Head medium length, skull broad between ears. Forehead moderately arched as seen from side. Occipital bone well developed but not conspicuous. Cheeks well boned and muscled but not prominent. Skin on head not loose, although it may form a moderate wrinkle when attentive. Muzzle fairly deep with top line level, and length of muzzle in relation to distance from well defined stop to occiput to be as 2 to 3. Nose well developed with proportionately large nostrils, always black.
Eyes
Medium size, almond-shaped, dark brown in colour, light eye undesirable, eyelids close fitting.
Ears
Pendant, small in proportion rather than large, set high and wide apart, lying flat and close to cheek.
Mouth
Teeth strong, complete dentition with scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Flews black and firm, falling gradually away towards corners of mouth, which do not protrude excessively.
Neck
Of fair length, strong, round and very muscular. Slightly arched, free from throatiness.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back, long and sloping, elbows well let down, but not loose. Legs straight, muscular, with plenty of bone and substance. Pasterns sloping slightly forward.
Body
Chest roomy, broad and deep with well sprung ribs. Depth of brisket will not be more, and not much less than 50 per cent of shoulder height. Back straight, strong and not too long, ratio of shoulder height to length of body should be as 9 is to 10, loins short, strong and deep, flanks not tucked up. Croup of proportionate length, and broad, very slightly sloping.
Hindquarters
Upper thigh not too short, broad and strongly muscled. Lower thigh well muscled at top, strong and sinewy below. Stifles fairly well bent. Hocks well angulated without exaggeration, metatarsals not completely vertical. Strength and soundness of hock highly desirable.
Feet
Strong, round and compact with toes well arched. Hind feet somewhat longer than front. Pads very hard, toenails short, dark and strong.
Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Docked at first joint. Strong and not set too low. Normally carried horizontally but slightly above horizontal when dog is alert.
Undocked: Strong and not set too low. Normally carried horizontally but slightly above horizontal when dog is alert. May hang when dog is at rest.
Gait/Movement
Conveys an impression of supple strength, endurance and purpose. While back remains firm and stable there is a powerful hind thrust and good stride. First and foremost, movement should be harmonious, positive and unrestricted.
Coat
Consists of top coat and undercoat. Top coat is of medium length, coarse and flat. Undercoat, essential on the neck and thighs, should not show through top coat. Hair may also be a little longer on the back of the forelegs and breechings. Long or excessively wavy coat highly undesirable.
Colour
Black with clearly defined markings as follows: a spot over each eye, on cheeks, as a strip around each side of muzzle, but not on bridge of nose, on throat, two clear triangles on either side of the breast bone, on forelegs from carpus downward to toes, on inside of rear legs from hock to toes, but not completely eliminating black from back of legs, under tail. Colour of markings from rich tan to mahogany and should not exceed 10 per cent of body colour. White marking is highly undesirable. Black pencil markings on toes are desirable. Undercoat is grey, fawn, or black.
Size
Dogs height at shoulder: between 63-69 Cm's (25-27 ins); bitches between 58-64 Cm's (23-25 ins). Height should always be considered in relation to general appearance.