Breeding standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE: A sturdy low-set dog, rather long in proportion to height with strong Terrier character, alertness, activity and soundness. Its untrimmed, harsh coat with definite ruff around the neck extending to the breastbone and its long strong head assist in developing its hard bitten, rugged appearance

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT:
Essentially a working terrier, but its loyalty and even disposition make it equally suitable as a companion dog.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Long, flat, of moderate width, full between the eyes. Covered with a soft topknot.
Stop: Slight but definite.

FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black, of moderate size, the leather extending to the bridge of muzzle.
Muzzle: Strong and powerful, equal in length to that of the skull; the muzzle must be strong and not fall away under the eyes. The length and strength of the muzzle are essential to give the strong, punishing jaw.
Lips: Black, tight and clean.
Jaws/Teeth: Jaws strong and punishing, teeth large and evenly spaced, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower (scissor bite).
Eyes: The eyes shall be small, oval, with keen expression, and of
dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent.
Ears: The ears are small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use (puppies under six months excepted).

NECK: The neck is of good length, slightly arched, strong and flowing into the well angulated (well-laid) shoulders.

BODY: Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed. In considering the body, attention must be paid to the opening description, “a sturdy low set dog, rather long in proportion to height”.
Back: Level topline.
Loins: Strong.

Chest: Of moderate depth and width, with well sprung ribs. Forechest well developed, brisket relatively deep.

TAIL: Traditionally docked. Whether docked or natural, the tail should be set on high, and well carried, but not over the back.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS:
General appearance: Well boned, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. The legs are slightly feathered towards the wrist.
Metacarpus (Pasterns): Strong, without slope.
Forefeet: Small, round, compact, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched. Turned neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails.

HINDQUARTERS:
General appearance: Moderate length of quarters, broad. Viewed from behind they should be parallel from hock to feet, neither too wide nor too close.
Thigh: Strong and muscular.
Stifle (Knee): Well turned.
Hock joint: Well bent and let down.
Hind feet: Small, round, compact, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched. Turned neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: The action to be free, true, springy and forceful. When viewed from the front, the forelegs should move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows or pasterns. The hindquarters to have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks. Viewed from the rear the legs from the hocks to the ground to be parallel, neither too close nor too wide.

COAT

Hair: The body coat consists of a harsh straight dense top coat approximately 6 cms long with short soft textured undercoat. The muzzle, lower legs and feet to be free from long hair.

Colour:
a) Blue, steel blue or dark grey blue, with rich tan (not sandy) on face, ears, under body, lower legs and feet and around vent puppies excepted). The richer the colour and more clearly defined the better. Smuttiness is objectionable. Topknot blue, silver or a lighter shade than head colour.
b) Clear sandy or red, any smuttiness or dark shadings objectionable. A topknot of a lighter shade is acceptable.

In any colour, white markings on chest or feet must be penalised.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Height at the withers: The desirable height is approximately 25 cms, , with bitches slightly less.
Weight: The desirable weight is approximately 9,5 kgs for dogs, with bitches slightly less.