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. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.
General Appearance:
Workmanlike, active and agile, without exaggeration. Built
for stamina and endurance, overall picture of balance and flexibility.
Honourable scars permissible.
Characteristics:
Originally a terrier bred to work fox, a confident, energetic and
happy dog that has the ability and conformation to go to ground.
Temperament:
Bold and friendly.
Head and Skull:
Head wedge shaped. Skull flat, moderately broad,
gradually narrowing to the eyes. Cheeks not prominent. Stop shallow.
From nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Nose
black.
Eyes:
Dark, almond shaped, never prominent. Keen, intelligent expression.
Ears:
Size in proportion with the head. V-shaped, dropping forward,
tip of ear to be level with outer corner of eye. Fold not above top of
skull. Leather of moderate thickness.
Mouth:
Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth of a good size and set square to
the jaws, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper
teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck:
Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening and well set into the shoulders.
Forequarters:
Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at
withers. Upper arm of equal length to the shoulder and at such an angle
that the legs are carried well back under the body, below the point of
the withers. Legs strong and straight turning neither in nor out,
strong, flexible pasterns. Elbows close to body, working free of the
sides. Moderate width between forelegs. Length of forelegs should be
slightly greater than depth of body.
Body:
Overall length from point of shoulder to point of buttock
slightly greater than height from withers to ground. Chest of moderate
depth, not extending below point of elbow. Capable of being spanned
behind the shoulders by average sized hands. Ribs carried well back, not
over-sprung nor slab-sided. Back strong, straight and flexible. Loin
strong and slightly arched. Well balanced.
Hindquarters:
Strong, muscular, with well-developed second thigh. Good angulation
and bend of stifle without exaggeration. Hocks set low and rear pasterns
parallel, giving plenty of drive.
Feet:
Compact with firm pads, toes moderately arched, never flat or open,
turning neither in nor out.
Tail: Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Length complementing the body. Strong, preferably straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the move, may be carried lower when relaxed.
Undocked: Of moderate length, preferably straight, giving a general balance to the dog. Thick at the root and tapering towards the tip. Moderately high set, carried well up on the move, may be carried lower when relaxed.
Gait / Movement
Free-striding, ground covering gait, without exaggeration.
Strides should be of good length, never stilted or high-stepping.
Hindquarters providing plenty of drive. Well co-ordinated; straight
action front and behind.
Coat:
Whether rough, broken or smooth naturally harsh, flat,
straight, close and dense with good undercoat. Weather resistant. Belly
and undersides coated. Skin thick and loose. The prepared coat should
appear natural, never clipped.
Colour:
White or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black
markings, or any combination of these colours. The colour preferably
confined to the head and/or root of tail, but a little body colour is
acceptable.
Size:
Ideal height at withers: dogs 36cms (14ins), bitches 33cms (13ins).
Most importantly soundness and balance should be maintained whilst
taking into account that this terrier, bred to work fox, should be
capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average sized hands.
With these provisos, lower heights are acceptable, however
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.
