General Appearance
|
A medium-sized gray dog, with fine aristocratic
features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness
and balance. Above all, the dog's conformation must indicate the ability
to work with great speed and endurance in the field. |
Height
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Height at the withers: dogs, 25 to 27 inches;
bitches, 23 to 25 inches. One inch over or under the specified height of
each sex is allowable but should be penalized. Dogs measuring less than
24 inches or more than 28 inches and bitches measuring less than 22 inches
or more than 26 inches shall be disqualified. |
Head
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Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate
stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent
occipital bone and trumpets well set back, beginning at the back of the
eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop equals that from stop
to occipital bone. The flews should be straight, delicate at the nostrils.
Skin drawn tightly. Neck clean-cut and moderately long. Expression kind,
keen and intelligent. |
Ears
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Long and lobular, slightly folded and set
high. The ear when drawn snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately
2 inches from the point of the nose. |
Eyes
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In shades of light amber, gray or blue-gray,
set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When
dilated under excitement the eyes may appear almost black. |
Teeth
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Well set, strong and even; well-developed
and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth protruding
slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/16 of an inch. Complete
dentition is greatly to be desired. |
Nose
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Gray. |
Lips and Gums
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Pinkish flesh shades. |
Body
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The back should be moderate in length, set
in a straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers.
The chest should be well developed and deep with shoulders well laid back.
Ribs well sprung and long. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked-up flank.
The brisket should extend to the elbow. |
Coat and Color
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Short, smooth and sleek, solid color, in
shades of mouse-gray to silver-gray, usually blending to lighter shades
on the head and ears. A small white marking on the chest is permitted,
but should be penalized on any other portion of the body. White spots resulting
from injury should not be penalized. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification.
A distinctly blue or black coat is a disqualification. |
Forelegs
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Straight and strong, with the measurement
from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the
elbow to the top of the withers. |
Hindquarters
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Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks.
Musculation well developed. |
Feet
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Firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched,
pads closed and thick, nails short and gray or amber in color. Dewclaws-Should
be removed. |
Tail
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Docked. At maturity it should measure approximately
6 inches with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be carried
in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail
shall be penalized. |
Gait
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The gait should be effortless and should
indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet should
be parallel to the front feet. When viewed from the side, the topline should
remain strong and level. |
Temperament
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The temperament should be friendly, fearless,
alert and obedient. |
Minor Faults
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Tail too short or too long. Pink nose. |
Major Faults
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Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular
condition. Badly affected teeth. More than four teeth missing. Back too
long or too short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick or throaty. Low-set
tail. Elbows in or out. Feet east and west. Poor gait. Poor feet. Cowhocks.
Faulty backs, either roached or sway. Badly overshot, or undershot bite.
Snipy muzzle. Short ears. |
Very Serious
Faults
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White, other than a spot on the chest. Eyes
other than gray, blue-gray or light amber. Black mottled mouth. Non-docked
tail. Dogs exhibiting strong fear, shyness or extreme nervousness. |
Disqualifications
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Deviation in height of more than one inch
from standard either way. A distinctly long coat. A distinctly blue or
black coat. |
