Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight Dogs, 13-15½ pounds, bitches, 11½-14 pounds, are
appropriate weights for Border Terriers in hardworking condition. The
proportions should be that the height at the withers is slightly
greater than the distance from the withers to the tail, i.e. by possibly
1-1½ inches in a 14-pound dog. Of medium bone, strongly put together,
suggesting endurance and agility, but rather narrow in shoulder, body
and quarter.
Head
Similar to that of an otter.
Eyes dark hazel and full of fire and
intelligence. Moderate in size, neither prominent nor small and beady.
Ears small, V-shaped and of moderate thickness, dark preferred.
Not set high on the head but somewhat on the side, and dropping forward
close to the cheeks. They should not break above the level of the skull.
Moderately broad and flat in
skull with plenty of width between
the eyes and between the ears. A slight, moderately broad curve at the
stop rather than a pronounced indentation. Cheeks slightly full.
Muzzle short and "well filled." A dark muzzle is characteristic
and desirable. A few short whiskers are natural to the breed.
Nose
black, and of a good size.
Teeth strong, with a scissors bite,
large in proportion to size of dog.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck clean, muscular and only long enough to give a well-balanced
appearance. It should gradually widen into the shoulder.
Back
strong but laterally supple, with no suspicion of a dip behind the
shoulder.
Loin strong.
Body deep, fairly narrow and of
sufficient length to avoid any suggestions of lack of range and agility.
The body should be capable of being spanned by a man's hands behind the
shoulders. Brisket not excessively deep or narrow. Deep ribs carried
well back and not oversprung in view of the desired depth and narrowness
of the body. The
underline fairly straight.
Tail
moderately short, thick at the base, then tapering. Not set on too high.
Carried gaily when at the alert, but not over the back. When at ease, a
Border may drop his stern.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back and of good length, the blades
converging to the withers gradually from a brisket not excessively deep
or narrow.
Forelegs straight and not too heavy in bone and placed
slightly wider than in a Fox Terrier.
Feet small and compact.
Toes should point forward and be moderately arched with thick pads.
Hindquarters
Muscular and racy, with
thighs long and nicely molded.
Stifles
well bent and
hocks well let down.
Feet as in front.
Coat
A short and dense undercoat covered with a very wiry and somewhat broken
topcoat which should lie closely, but it must not show any tendency to
curl or wave. With such a coat a Border should be able to be exhibited
almost in his natural state, nothing more in the way of trimming being
needed than a tidying up of the head, neck and feet.
Hide very
thick and loose fitting.
Color
Red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten. A small amount of white
may be allowed on the chest but white on the feet should be penalized. A
dark muzzle is characteristic and desirable.
Gait
Straight and rhythmical before and behind, with good length of stride
and flexing of stifle and hock. The dog should respond to his handler
with a gait which is free, agile and quick.
Temperament
His temperament ideally exemplifies that of a terrier. By nature he is
good-tempered, affectionate, obedient, and easily trained. In the field
he is hard as nails, "game as they come" and driving in attack.
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