(Revised 1986)

(Änderungen 2009 und 2018)

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal charactristics, 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 advertisely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website here www. the-kennel-club.org.uk for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring. (Geändert 2018)

General Appearance
Strongly built, short coupled, very active, broad in skull, broad and deep through chest and ribs, broad and strong over loins and hindquarters.

Characteristics
Good-tempered, very agile (which precludes excessive body weight or substance). (Geändert am 12.1.2009) Excellent nose, soft mouth; keen love of water. Adaptable, devoted companion.

Temperament
Intelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.

Head and Skull
Skull broad with a defined stop; clean cut without fleshy cheeks. Jaws of medium length, powerful not snipey. Nose wide, nostrils well developed.

Eyes
Medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper, brown or hazel.

Ears
Not large or heavy, hanging close to head and set rather far back.

Mouth
Jaws and teeth strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i. e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Clean, strong, powerful, set into well-placed shoulders.

Forequarters
Shoulders long and sloping well laid back, with upper arm of near equal length, placing legs well under body. (Geändert 2018) Forelegs well-boned and straight from elbow to ground when viewed from either front or side.

Body
Chest of good width and depth, with well sprung barrel ribs – this effect not to be produced by carrying excessive weight. (Geändert am 12.1.2009) Level topline. Loins wide, short-coupled and strong.

Hindquarters
Well-developed, not sloping to tail, well turned stifle. Hocks well let down, cowhocks highly undesirable.

Feet
Round, compact; well-arched toes and well – developed pads.

Tail
Distinctive feature, very thick towards base, gradually tapering towards tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly all round with short, thick, dense coat, thus giving ´rounded´ appearance described as `Otter´ tail. May be carried gaily, but should not curl over back.

Gait / Movement
Free, covering adequate ground, straight and true in front and rear.

Coat
Destinctive feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; weather resistant undercoat.

Colour
The only correct colours are (Geändert 2018) wholly black, yellow or liver / chocolate. Yellows range from light cream to fox red, and livers/chocolates range from light to dark.  (Geändert 2018)  A small white spot on the chest and rear of the front pasterns is permissible. Any other colour or combination of colours is not permitted.(Geändert 2018)

Size
Ideal height at withers: Dogs 56-57 cms (22-22 ½ ins). Bitches 54–55– (Geändert 2018) 56 cms (21 ½ – 22 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 and it´s effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.