FCI-Standard N° 253 / 11. 05. 1998 / GB
ORIGIN :
PATRONAGE :
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD :
24.06.1987.
UTILIZATION : Companion.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. :Group 9 Companion
and Toy Dogs.
Section 11 Small
Molossian type Dogs.
Without working trial.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Decidedly square and cobby, it is « multum in parvo » shown
in compactness of form, well knit proportions and hardness of muscle.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT :
Great charm, dignity and intelligence. Even-tempered, happy and lively disposition.
HEAD : Large, round, not apple-headed.
CRANIAL
REGION
:
Skull :
With no indentation. Wrinkles clearly
defined.
FACIAL
REGION
:
Muzzle :
Short, blunt, square, not upfaced.
Jaws/Teeth : Slightly undershot. Wry mouth, teeth or tongue showing all highly undesirable. Wide lower jaw with
incisors almost in a straight line.
Eyes :
Dark, very large, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very
lustrous, and when excited, full of fire.
Ears :
Thin, small, soft like black velvet. Two
kinds - « Rose ear » - small drop ear which folds over and back to
reveal the burr. « Button
ear » - ear flap folding forward, tip lying close to skull to cover
orifice, and pointing toward eye.
Preference given to latter.
NECK : Slightly arched to resemble a crest, strong,
thick with enough length to carry head proudly.
BODY : Short and cobby.
Back :
Topline level, neither roached nor dipping.
Chest :
Wide in chest and well ribbed.
TAIL (Twist)
: High set, curled as tightly as possible over hip. Double curl highly
desirable.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Legs very strong, straight, of moderate length, and well under body.
Shoulders :
Well sloped.
HINDQUARTERS : Legs very strong, of moderate length, well under body, straight and
parallel when viewed from rear.
Stifles :
With good turn of stifles.
FEET :
Neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well
split toes; the nails black.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Viewed from in front should rise and fall with legs well under
shoulder, feet keeping directly to front, not turning in or out. From behind action just as
true. Using
forelegs strongly putting them well forward with hindlegs moving freely and
using stifles well. A slight roll
of hindquarters typifies gait.
COAT
HAIR :
Fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither harsh nor woolly.
COLOUR :
Silver, apricot, fawn or black. Each
clearly defined, to make contrast complete between colour, trace (black line
extending from occiput to twist) and mask.
Markings clearly defined. Muzzle
or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond
on forehead and trace as black as possible.
WEIGHT :
Ideal weight 6.3 - 8.1 kgs (14 - 18 lbs).
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..
Any dog clearly showing
physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be
disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.