BREED STANDARD

General Appearance

Elegant, racy yet strong without coarseness, square proportions capable of sustained effort over long distances. A dignified hound with fine skin, marked by its muscular leanness.

Characteristics

Quiet, of dignified bearing. Noble, haughty and loyal with the instincts of a hunting hound.

Temperament

Reserved, aloof with strangers. Neither nervous nor aggressive. Affectionate with family.

Head and Skull

Long, refined, an elongated wedge showing strength but not excessively angular. Skull flat, fairly broad. Clearly rounded at back of skull and curving smoothly into sides. Slightly marked frontal bone and pronounced occiput. Muzzle refined without exaggeration, about equal in length to skull. Slight stop. Nose and lips black may be slightly lighter in dilute colours.

Eyes

Large, dark to dark amber, oval, set slightly obliquely. Expression gentle, rather sad and wistful, eye rims pigmented.

Ears

Flat, not too large, triangular in shape but with rounded tips. Usually folding down and carried close to head, set level with, or slightly above eye but may be carried away from the skull.

Mouth

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

Neck

Strong yet very elegant in proportion to body. Moderately long with good arch. Skin showing fine pleats under throat.

Forequarters

Shoulder blades long and set obliquely onto body. Flat bone and well muscled. Upper arm of moderate length. Pasterns supple and strong.

Body

Chest not broad. Slightly sprung ribs giving fairly flat appearance, reaching almost to point of elbow. Reasonably well ribbed back with definite tuck up. Loin short broad and muscular, and slightly arched. Top line almost level. Relatively short croup obliquely set. Pin bones evident

Hindquarters

Strongly muscled. Fairly flat appearance with moderate angulation, Second thigh long and well-developed. Hocks well let down.

Feet

Lean, elongated oval or hare foot, fairly well arched.

Tail

Fine and well set on without fringes or long hair. Strong curve at end which preferably reaches to point of hock. Set in line with croup as a continuation of topline. When moving never carried higher than level of back.

Gait/Movement

Free, smooth, effortless gait, head carriage not too high. Without exaggerated extension.

Coat

Fine and short. Undercoat may grow during winter. No feathering.

Colour

Light to red sand with or without black mask

Brindle with or without black mask

Black mantle with sand or brindle points.

Small white mark on chest permissible but undesirable.

Size

Height at withers: dogs 66-72 cms (26-28¼ ins), bitches 61-68 cms (24-26¾ ins) encompassing finer desert and heavier mountain types.

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 its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note

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