GENERAL APPEARANCE - Small, low, keen dog, compact and strong with good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear not to be unduly penalised.
CHARACTERISTICS - One of the smallest of the terriers. Lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, tremendously active with hardy constitution.
TEMPERAMENT - Gay and fearless.
HEAD AND SKULL - Muzzle wedge-shaped and strong. In length two-thirds of measurement from occiput to bottom of well defined stop. Slightly rounded, wide skull, good width between ears.
EYES - Small, oval shaped, dark, full of expression, bright and keen.
EARS - Erect, set well apart on top of skull. Medium size with pointed tips. Perfectly erect when aroused, can be laid back when not at attention.
MOUTH - Tight lipped, jaws clean and strong. Rather large, strong teeth with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
NECK - Strong of good length, commensurate with correct overall balance, flowing into well laid shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS - Legs short, powerful and straight; elbows close to body. Pasterns firm and upright.
BODY - Short back, compact with good depth. Rib cage long and well sprung with short loin. Level topline.
HINDQUARTERS - Broad, strong and muscular, well turned stifle. Low set hock with great propulsion.
FEET - Rounded, well padded and cat-like. Pointing straight forward standing and moving.
TAIL - Docking optional.
(a) Medium docked. Set high, completing perfectly level topline. Carried erect.
(b) Tail of moderate length to give a general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip, as straight as possible, carried jauntily, not excessively gay, completing perfectly level topline.
GAIT/MOVEMENT - Fore legs should move straight forward when travelling; hind legs follow in their track; hocks parallel and flexing to show pads.
COAT - Hard, wiry, straight, lying close to body, thick undercoat. Longer and rougher on neck forming a ruff to frame face. Hair on head and ears short and smooth, except for slight whiskers and eyebrows.
COLOUR - All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. White marks or patches are undesirable.
SIZE -
Ideal height: 25-26 cms (10 ins) at withers.
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.