| General Appearance: |
A medium size sighthound
giving the appearance of elegance and fitness, denoting great speed,
power and balance without coarseness. A true sporting hound that covers
a maximum of distance with a minimum of lost motion. Should convey an
impression of beautifully balanced muscular power and strength, combined
with great elegance and grace of outline. Symmetry of outline, muscular
development and powerful gait are the main considerations; the dog being
built for speed and work, all forms of exaggeration should be avoided. |
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| Size,
Proportion, Substance: |
Ideal height for dogs, 19
to 22 inches; for bitches, 18 to 21 inches, measured at the highest
point of the withers. More than one-half inch above or below the stated
limits will disqualify. Length from forechest to buttocks equal to or
slightly greater than height at the withers. Moderate bone throughout.
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Teeth
of upper jaw should fit closely over teeth of lower jaw creating a
scissors bite. Teeth should be white and strong. Undershot shall
disqualify. Overshot one-quarter inch or more shall disqualify.
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| Neck, Topline,
Body: |
Neck long, clean and
muscular, well arched with no suggestion of throatiness, widening
gracefully into the top of the shoulder. A short thick neck, or a
ewe neck, should be penalized. The back is broad, firm and
well muscled, having length over the loin. The backline runs
smoothly from the withers with a graceful natural arch, not too
accentuated, beginning over the loin and carrying through over the
croup; the arch is continuous without flatness. A dip behind
shoulder blades, wheelback, flat back, or a steep or flat croup
should be penalized. Brisket very deep, reaching as nearly as
possible to the point of the elbow. Ribs well sprung but with no
suggestion of barrel shape. The space between the forelegs is filled
in so that there is no appearance of a hollow between them. There is
a definite tuckup of the underline. The tail long and
tapering, reaching to the hipbone when drawn through between the
hind legs. When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried low with
only a gentle upward curve; tail should not be carried higher than
top of back. |
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| Forequarters: |
Shoulder
blade long, well laid back, with flat
muscles, allowing for moderate space between shoulder blades at peak
of withers. Upper arm of equal length, placed so that the elbow
falls directly under the withers. |
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The points of the
elbows should point neither in nor out, but straight back. A steep
shoulder, short upper arm, a heavily muscled or loaded shoulder, or
a very narrow shoulder, all of which restrict low free movement,
should be strictly penalized. Forelegs straight, giving
appearance of strength and substance of bone. Pasterns strong,
slightly bent and flexible. Bowed legs, tied-in elbows, legs lacking
substance, legs set far under the body so as to create an
exaggerated forechest, weak or upright pasterns should be strictly
penalized. |
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Both front and rear feet must be well formed with
hard, thick pads. Feet more hare than cat, but both are acceptable.
Flat, splayed or soft feet without thick hard pads should be
strictly penalized. Toes should be long, close and well arched.
Nails strong and naturally short or of moderate length. Dewclaws may
be removed. |
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| Hindquarters: |
Long and powerful. The
thighs are broad and muscular, stifles well bent; muscles are long
and flat and carry well down toward the hock. The hocks are well let
down and close to the ground. Sickle or cow hocks should be strictly
penalized. |
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| Coat: |
Short, close, smooth
and firm in texture. Any other coat shall be a disqualification. Old
scars and injuries, the result of work or accident, should not be
allowed to prejudice the dog's chance in the show ring. |
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| Color: |
Color immaterial. |
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| Gait: |
Low, free moving and
smooth, with reach in the forequarters and strong drive in the
hindquarters. The dog has great freedom of action when viewed from
the side; the forelegs move forward close to the ground to give a
long, low reach; the hind legs have strong propelling power. When
moving and viewed from front or rear, legs should turn neither in
nor out, nor should feet cross or interfere with each other.
Lack of front reach or rear drive, or a short, hackney gait with
high wrist action, should be strictly penalized. Crossing in front
or moving too close should be strictly penalized. |
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| Temperament: |
Amiable, friendly,
gentle, but capable of great intensity during sporting pursuits.
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Disqualifications:. |
More than one-half
inch above or below stated height limits. |
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Blue or wall eyes. |
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Undershot, overshot
one-quarter inch or more. |
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Any coat
other than short, close, smooth and firm in texture. |
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