Breed Standard 2008

FCI 05.06.2009

General appearance: Small, well-balanced, moderately thick set with great dignity and quality. Any signs of respiratory distress for any reason or inability to move soundly are unacceptable and should be heavily penalized. Not excessively coated.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Leonine in appearance with alert and intelligent expression. Small, well balanced, moderately thick-set with great dignity and quality. Any signs of respiratory distress for any reason or inability to move soundly are unacceptable and should be heavily penalised. Not excessively coated.

Characteristics: Leonine in appearance. Alert and intelligent expression.

Temperament: Fearless, loyal, aloof, not timid or aggressive.

BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT: Fearless, loyal, aloof, not timid or aggressive.

Head and skull: Head fairly large, proportionately wider than deep.

Skull moderately broad, wide and flat between ears, not domed, wide between eyes.

Nose not too short, broad, nostrils large and open. A slight wrinkle, preferably broken, may extend from the cheeks to the bridge of the nose in a wide inverted ‘v’. This must never adversely affect or obscure eyes or nose. Pinched nostrils and heavy over-nose wrinkles are unacceptable and should be heavily penalized.

Muzzle must be evident, but may be relatively short and wide. Firm underjaw.

Lips not obscuring a well defined chin. Defined stop. Black pigment essential on nose, lips and eye rims.

HEAD: Fairly large, proportionately wider than deep.

CRANIAL REGION:

Skul: Moderately broad, wide and flat between ears; not domed; wide between eyes.

Stop: Defined.

FACIAL REGION:

Black pigment essential on nose, lips and eye rims.

Nose: Not too short, broad, nostrils large and open. A slight wrinkle, preferably broken, may extend from the cheeks to the bridge of nose in a wide inverted “V”. This must never adversely affect or obscure eyes or nose. Pinched nostrils and heavy over-nose wrinkles are unacceptable and should be heavily penalised.

Muzzle: Must be evident, but may be relatively short and wide.  Firm underjaw.

Lips: Level lips. Must not show teeth or tongue; not obscuring a well defined chin.

Eyes: Clear, round, dark lustrous and not too large. Free from obvious eye problems.

Eyes: Clear, round, dark lustrous and not too large. Free from obvious eye problems.

Ears: Leather heart shaped, set level with the skull, carried close to the head, and not coming below line of muzzle. Long profuse feathering.

Ears: Leathers heart-shaped, set level with the skull, carried close to the head and not coming below line of muzzle.  Long profuse feathering.

Mouth: Level lips. Must not show teeth or tongue. Firm under-jaw essential.

Neck: Relatively short and thick.

NECK:  Relatively short and thick.

BODY: Relatively short, distinct waist. 

Topline: Level.

Chest: Broad and well sprung ribs slung between forelegs.

TAIL: Set high, carried tightly, slightly curved over back to either side.  Long feathering.

Forequarters: Relatively short, thick, heavily boned forelegs. Bones of forelegs may be slightly bowed between pasterns and elbows accommodating ribs.

Elbows should be close to the body.

Shoulders laid back and fitting smoothly into the body. Standing well up on feet, not down on pasterns, which should be strong and not too close together. Absolute soundness essential.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS: Relatively short, thick, heavily boned forelegs. Absolute soundness essential.

Shoulders: Laid back and fitting smoothly into the body.

Elbows: Close to the body.

Forearms: Bones of forelegs may be slightly bowed between pasterns and elbows, accommodating ribs.

Metacarpus (pastern): Slightly sloping, strong and not too close together.

Front feet: Large and flat, not round. May be slightly turned out. Excessively turned out feet to be heavily penalised.

Body: Relatively short. Distinct waist. Broad chest and well sprung ribs slung between forelegs. Level topline.

Hindquarters: Hind legs strong and well muscled but moderately lighter than forequarters. Excessively narrow hindquarters to be heavily penalised. Moderate angulations.

Well defined stifles.

Firm, low hocks.

Strong rear pasterns, parallel when viewed from the rear. Absolute soundness essential.

HINDQUARTERS: Hind legs strong and well muscled but moderately lighter than forequarters. Excessively narrow hindquarters to be heavily penalised. Moderate angulations. Absolute  soundness essential.

Stifles : Well defined. 

Hocks: Firm, low.

Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Strong, parallel when viewed from the rear.

Feet: Large and flat, not round. Front feet may be slightly turned out. Excessively turned out feet to be heavily penalised. Hind feet point straight ahead.

Hind feet: Large and flat, not round. Hind feet point straight ahead.

Tail: Set high, carried tightly, slightly curved over back to either side. Long feathering.

Gait/movement: Typically slow, dignified, rolling gait in front. Typical movement must not be confused with a roll caused by slackness of shoulders or with other indications of unsoundness. Any slackness of shoulders and elbows, and any indication of unsoundness in feet and pasterns to be heavily penalized. Movement not to be hindered by excessive body coat.

GAIT/MOVEMENT: Typically slow, dignified rolling gait in front.  Typical movement must not to be confused with a roll caused by slackness of shoulders or with other indications of unsoundness. Any slackness of shoulders and elbows, and any indications of unsoundness in feet and pasterns to be heavily penalised. Movement not to be hindered by excessive body coat.

Coat:

Moderately long, straight, with mane, not extending beyond shoulders, forming a cape around neck. Top coat coarse with thick, softer undercoat. Feathering on ears, back of legs, tail and toes. Length and volume of coat should neither impair the activity of the dog nor obscure the shapeliness of body. Excessive coat must be heavily penalised.

COAT

HAIR: Moderately long, straight with mane, not extending beyond shoulders, forming a cape around neck. Top coat coarse with thick, softer undercoat. Feathering on ears, back of legs, tail and toes. Length and volume of coat should neither impair the activity of the dog nor obscure the shapeliness of body. Excessive coat must be heavily penalised. 

Colour: All colours and markings are permissible and of equal merit, except albino or liver. Parti-colours evenly broken.

COLOUR: All colours and markings are permissible and of equal merit, except albino or liver.  Parti-colours evenly broken.

Size: Ideal weight not exceeding 5 kgs (11 lbs) for dogs and 5.4 kgs (12 lbs) for bitches. Dogs should look small but be surprisingly heavy when picked up; heavy bone and a sturdy well-built body are essentials of the breed.

SIZE/WEIGHT: Ideal weight not exceeding 5 kg for males and 5.4 females. Dogs should look small but be surprisingly heavy when picked up; heavy bone and a sturdy well-built body are essentials of the breed.

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.

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/

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :

• Aggressive or overly shy.

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