Breed Standard

General Appearance:
Active, graceful and well balanced, with gentle expression

Characteristics:
Sporting, affectionate, absolutely fearless

Temperament:
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive; no tendency to nervousness

Head and Skull:
Skull almost flat between the ears. Stop shallow. Length from base of stop to tip of nose about 3.8 cm. Nostrils black and well developed without flesh marks, muzzle well tapered. Lips well developed but not pendulous. Face well filled below eyes. Any tendency to snipiness undesirable

Eyes: Large, dark, round but not prominent; spaced well apart

Ears: Long, set high, with plenty of feather

Mouth: Jaws 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

Neck: Moderate length, slightly arched

Forequarters: Chest moderate, shoulders well laid back; straight legs moderately boned

Body: Short coupled with good spring of rib. Level back

Hindquarters: Legs with moderate bone; well turned stifle - no tendency to cow or sickle hocks

Feet: Compact, cushioned and well feathered

Tail: Length of tail in balance with body, well set on, carried happily but never much above the level of the back

Gait / Movement: Free moving and elegant in action, plenty of drive from behind. Fore and hind legs move parallel when viewed from in front and behind

Coat: Long, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Plenty of feathering. Totally free from trimming

Size: Weight 5.4 to 8 kgs (12 to 18 lbs). A small well balanced dog well within these weights desirable