Group:-  Pastoral

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

General appearance:    Energetic, small sheepdog. Medium or long coated with windswept appearance. Alert, lean and racy outline. Mischievous, inquiring.

Characteristics:    Highly intelligent, strong herding instinct. Tremendous energy and stamina for size.

Temperament:    Alert, lively, wary of strangers.

Head and Skull:    Head almost triangular when viewed from above, length of skull equal to its widest point, flat on top with central furrow, showing slight occiput, side of skull slightly rounded. Muzzle slightly shorter in length than skull; tapering evenly to nose with no apparent stop; well filled below eyes. Toplines of nose and skull parallel. Nostrils well open. Well pigmented on nose, lips and in roof of mouth.

Eyes:    Expressive, almond, wide open, not bulging nor sunken. Dark brown, but one or both may be blue or flecked with blue in merle or slate coloured animals. Eye rims black. Never obscured by head coat.

Ears:    Fairly short, moderately wide at base, placed on top of head but neither too close nor wide apart. Bottom part of ear erect and mobile, with top ideally hanging forward or to the side when alert, but laid back in repose.

Mouth:    Strong teeth, scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws.

Neck:   Rather long, muscular, and set well into shoulder.

Forequarters:    Forelegs lean, sinewy and straight when seen from front, with single dewclaws. From side, pasterns slope gently and are flexible. Shoulder fairly long and well angulated, with upper arm joining shoulder blade at right angles. Withers prominently visible.

Body:    Lean, strong. Ribs slightly rounded and extending well back. Brisket reaching to elbow. Loins strong and slightly arched.

Hindquarters:    Short, sloping croup; fairly low set tail. Strong, well muscled thigh, second thigh well developed and long. Well angulated stifle. Hocks lean, low set and well angulated. Single or double dewclaws on rear.

Feet:   Lean, rather flat, oval shape. Dark pads and nails, well furred between pads.

Gait / Movement:    Walks with fairly short strides, trots freely with vigour. Smooth gait, feet never raised very high. Head carried high with slow action, tending to drop with faster action. Good angulations ensure effortless gait. Pacing should not be penalized. 

Tail:   Set low, not too long, reaching to hock joint with upward hook at end. Well covered with hair. Never carried higher than topline. May be docked.

Sometimes born with short or stump tail.

Coat:   Long or semi-long. Fairly harsh; dense, almost flat or slightly wavy; denser and more woolly on rump and thighs. Hair on muzzle short. Longer on face and cheeks, where it grows away from the nose and eyes.

Semi-long coats:   short hair with fringing on forelegs and short hair below hocks.

Long coats:   Long hair on legs to cover toes.

Colour:   Various shades of fawn, with or without black hairs, there may be a little white on chest and feet. Light to dark grey, often with white on head, chest and legs. Blue merle, slate blue or brindle. Black or black and white. Unmixed colours preferred. Large areas of white, predominance of white, or black and tan undesirable.

Size:  Height, Dogs: 40 - 48 cms ( 16 - 19 ins ).

Bitches: 38 - 46 cms ( 15 - 18 ins ).

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.

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