CHARACTERISTICS: Alert and fearless but of friendly disposition.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Should be that of a freely moving and active dog, presenting a balanced picture of great substance in a small compass. General outline oblong, not square.
Head and Skull: The skull slightly domed and wide between the ears. Cheek bones should not be prominent. Punishing square jaw, powerful and long. Nose black.
Eyes: Dark, deep set, oval but not small. Unpigmented eye rims permissible.
Ears: Size medium, slightly rounded at tip, and carried at side of cheek.
Mouth: Teeth level and strong, with canine teeth fitting well into each other, and long for the size of the dog. A scissor bite is preferred - viz the jaws should be 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. A level bite is permissible.
Neck: Fairly long, thick and muscular, on well-laid shoulders.
Forequarters: Forelegs should be short, strong and as straight as possible consistent with the chest being well let down. Point of shoulder should be in line with point of elbow which should be close to side of chest.
Body: Medium length, level and flexible with ribs well sprung. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.
Hindquarters: Notably powerful for size of dog. Thighs deep and muscular with well bent stifle. Hocks strong, well bent and parallel to each other.
Feet: Round and catlike with thick pads. Feet pointing directly forward.
Gait: Brisk and vigorous with plenty of drive.
Tail: Set in line with back and carried erect. Quarters should protrude beyond set of tail.
Coat: Long, hard and wiry topcoat with weather resistant undercoat.
Colour: All white, or white with lemon, brown or badger pied markings on head and ears. Much black and heavy ticking undesirable.
Weight and Size: Ideal weight: Dogs about 9 kg (20 lb); Bitches about 8.1 kg (18 lb). Height should not exceed 30.4 cm (12 in) at the shoulder. General conformation, overall balance, type and substance are the main criteria.
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.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.