AHT Interim Breed Standard
Montage by Sian Gordon
General Appearance:
Smoothly muscled, active small to medium in size
Characteristics:
An energetic alert dog whose curiosity and intelligence make him easy to train
Temperament:
Exceptionally friendly, getting along with children, other dogs and pets
Head & Skull:
Head is proportionate to the size of the body. Viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are of equal length and joined by a moderate stop. Viewed from the front the head forms a blunt wedge shape, with well muscled cheeks. (Abrupt stop, Apple head and any sign of a snipey muzzle is a fault).
Eyes:
Dark brown to Amber. Blue or amber eyes are permitted in Blue coloured dogs only. Eyes are set obliquely and are round, moderate in size.
Ears:
Are V-Shaped, erect and set at the outside edges of the skull. (Note: EAr carriage may not stabilize until the dog is mature. Dogs under a year should not be penalised for variations in ear carriage).
Mouth:
Jaw is strong, with a perfect regular scissor bite.
Neck:
Moderately long muscular, slightly arched, and tapers slightly from the shoulders to the head. The neck bends smoothly into well laid back shoulders. (Throatiness undesirable).
Forequarters:
The elbows are close to the body, viewed from any angle the fore legs are straight, strong and sturdy in bone. The pasterns are strong, short and nearly vertical.
Body:
Slightly longer than tall, the length of the front leg should approximately equal one-half of the dogs height. Topline is strong and level, the loin is moderately short, slightly arched and smoothly muscled with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is slightly sloping. Ribs extend well back and are well sprung. The brisket extends to or just below the elbow. Viewed from the side the fore-chest extends in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs.
Hindquarters:
Smoothly muscled. The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well let down, turning neither in or out.
Feet:
Compact, slightly oval in shape. The two middle toes are slightly longer than the other toes. Toes may be well split up not flat or splayed. Front dewclaws maybe removed. Rear dewclaws must be removed.
Tail:
Is set on the end of the croup. The tail is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried in an upward curve, when relaxed the tail may be carried straight out behind the dog. (Faults: bent or ring tail).
Gait/Movement:
A jaunty air that suggests agility, speed and power. Gait is smooth and effortless.
Colour:
Any skin colour is acceptable. (Disqualification: Albinism’s).
Size:
Ideal height 10- 16 inches. (Faults: Height under or over allowed range, obesity).
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’ effects upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note:
Males should have two apparently normal testicles descended into the scrotum.
August 2006.