ABKC Breed Standard
Active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, medium or small structure.
Active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, medium or small structure. Expression alert, curious, interested.
Active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, medium or small structure. Expression alert, curious, interested.
Key physical attributes emphasized in the ABKC standard.
All points well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned.
Due allowance in favor of bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as the dogs.
Weight not to exceed 30 pounds.
Head large and square. Eyes any color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from ears as possible, round in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. Ears — known as the bat ear, broad at base, elongated, with round top, set high on head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. Skull flat between ears; forehead not flat, slightly rounded. Muzzle broad, deep, well laid back; muscles of cheeks well developed. Stop well defined. Underjaw deep, square, broad, undershot, well turned up.
Neck thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. Back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders, gradually rising to the loin which is higher than the shoulder, and rounding at the croup. Body short and well rounded. Chest broad, deep, full, well ribbed with the belly tucked up. Tail either straight or screwed (but not curly), short, hung low, thick root and fine tip; carried low in repose.
Forelegs short, stout, straight, muscular, and set wide apart.
Weight
Moderately fine, brilliant, short and smooth. Skin soft and loose, especially at head and shoulders, forming wrinkles.
All colors acceptable. All nose colors acceptable.
Correct gait is double tracking with reach and drive; action unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Well behaved, adaptable, comfortable companions with affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, playful, but not unduly boisterous.
Common class groupings seen at ABKC events (exact classes vary by show).
Hind legs strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down.
