This outward point is not to be more than 30 degrees from center line when viewed from above. They point slightly outward from a straight-ahead position to balance the width of the shoulders. The feet- are relatively large and rounded, with well filled pads. The curve in the forearm makes the wrists (carpal joints) somewhat closer together than the elbows. The forearms- (ulna and radius) should be curved to fit spring of ribs. Elbows -should fit close, being neither loose nor tied. Shoulder blade (scapula) long and well laid back, meeting upper arm (humerus) at close to a right angle. Shoulders -slope downward and outward from the withers sufficiently to accommodate desired rib-spring. The moderately broad chest tapers to a deep brisket, well let down between the forelegs. Carried low when standing or moving slowly, streaming out parallel to ground when at a dead run, lifted when excited, but never curled over the back. Tail- set fairly low on body line and reaching well below hock. Croup-Slight downward slope to the tail set. Loin- short, strong, moderately tucked up. Deep brisket, with well sprung ribs to allow for good lungs. Chest- moderately broad with prominent breastbone. Neck well set on fits into strong, well shaped shoulders. Well developed, especially in males, and in proportion to the dog's build. Neck- moderately long and muscular without throatiness. Overshot, undershot, or wry bite are serious faults. Scissors bite preferred i.e., inner side of upper incisors fitting closely over outer side of lower incisors. Underjaw moderately deep and well formed, reaching to the base of the nose and rounded at the chin. Lips- fit cleanly and evenly together all around. A nose other than solid black in any other color is a disqualification. Nose -black, except in blue merles where black noses are preferred but butterfly noses are tolerated. In profile the plane of the muzzle should parallel that of the skull, but on a lower level due to a definite but moderate stop. Muzzle- from the tip of the nose to the base of the stop should be shorter than the length of the skull from the base of the stop to the high point of the occiput, the proportion being about three parts muzzle to five parts skull rounded but not blunt tapered but not pointed. There should be no prominence of cheekbone. Cheeks -flat with some chiseling where the cheek meets the foreface and under the eye. Skull-Top moderately wide and flat between the ears, showing no prominence of occiput, tapering towards the eyes. Small and/or pointed ears are serious faults. When erect, tips are slightly wide of a straight line drawn from the tip of the nose through the center of the eye. Moderately wide at the base, carried erect and sloping slightly forward when alert. Slightly rounded at the tip, and of good strong leather. Ears large and prominent in proportion to size of dog. Blue eyes (including partially blue eyes), or one dark and one blue eye permissible in blue merles, and in any other coat color than blue merle are a disqualification. Clear and dark in harmony with coat color. Eyes- medium to large, not bulging, with dark rims and distinct corners. Expression- alert and gentle, watchful, yet friendly. It should never appear so large and heavy nor so small and fine as to be out of balance with the rest of the dog. The head should be refined in accordance with the sex and substance of the dog. Lack of overall balance, oversized or undersized are serious faults. Ideally, dogs should be from 30 to 38 pounds bitches from 25 to 34 pounds. The ideal length/height ratio is 1.8:1 when measuring from the point of the breast bone (prosternum) to the rear of the hip (ischial tuberosity) and measuring from the ground to the point of the withers. Dogs and bitches should be from 10.5 to 12.5 inches at the withers when standing naturally. Overall balance is more important than absolute size. General Impression-A handsome, powerful, small dog, capable of both speed and endurance, intelligent, sturdily built but not coarse. Overall silhouette long in proportion to height, culminating in a low tail set and fox-like brush. Low set with moderately heavy bone and deep chest.
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