Head:
Should be well balanced with little apparent difference between length of skull and foreface. Skull should be long an flat, not too broad between ears and narrowing very slightly to eyes. Scalp should be free from wrinkles, stop hardly visible and cheeks level and free from side of head, not pointing to eyes, small but not out of proportion to size of dog. Topline of folded ear should be above level of skull. Foreface should be deep, powerful, strong, and muscular. Should be well filled up before eyes. Eyes should be dark, small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keenness, and intelligence. Lips should be tight. Nose should be black and not too small. Teeth should be strong and white, free from discoloration or defect. Bite either level or viselike. A slightly overlapping or scissors bite is permissible without preference.
Neck:
Should be of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards shoulders Skin tight, not loose..
Shoulders and Chest:
Shoulders long and sloping well into the back. Shoulder blades flat. From front, chest deep but not broad. Depth of chest should be approximately on a level with elbows.
Body: Back should be short, strong, and level. Ribs well sprung. Loins muscular and of good width. There should be but little space between last rib and hip joint.
Hindquarters:
Should be strong and muscular with no droop.
Tail:
Root of tail should be set well up on back. It should be carried gaily but not curled over back. It should be of good strength and substance and of fair length.
Legs:
Forelegs should be perfectly straight, with plenty of muscle and bone. Elbows should be perpendicular to body, working free of sides. Thighs should be long and powerful with muscular second thigh, stifles well bent, not turned either in or out, hocks well let down, parallel with each other when viewed from behind. Feet should be small, round, and compact, with good depth of pad, well cushioned; moderately arched, not turned either in or out.
Color:
Head and ears should be tan, ears being of darker shade than the rest. Dark markings on either side of skull are permissable. Legs up to thighs and elbows and underpart of the body and chest are also tan, and the tan frequently runs into the shoulder. Sides and upper part of body should be black or dark grizzle. A red mixture is often found in the black and is not to be considered objectionable. Small wite blaze on the chest is characteristic of certain strains of the breed.
Size:
Dogs should measure approximately 23” in height at shoulder; bitches slightly less.
The information above is quoted from “The New Terrier Handbook” by Kerry Kern. This book is a great source for learning about the standards and behaviors of the Terrier family. It also provides very useful information on raising, training, and caring for your new terrier.
(Click on the cover to purchase this book!!!)
