General Appearance
Small, low, keen dog, compact and strong with good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear not to be unduly penalised.

Characteristics
One of the smallest of the terriers. Lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, tremendously active with hardy constitution.

Temperament
Gay and fearless.

Head and Skull
Muzzle wedge-shaped and strong. In length two-thirds of measurement from occiput to bottom of well defined stop. Slightly rounded, wide skull, good width between ears.

Eyes
Relatively small, oval-shaped, dark, full of expression, bright and keen.

Ears
Erect, set well apart on top of skull. Medium size with pointed tips. Perfectly erect when aroused, can be laid back when not at attention.

Mouth
Tight-lipped, jaws clean and strong. Rather large, strong teeth with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Strong of good length, commensurate with correct overall balance, flowing into well laid shoulders.

Forequarters
Legs short, powerful and straight; elbows close to body. Pasterns firm and upright.

Body
Short back, compact with good depth. Ribcage long and well sprung with short loin. Level topline.

Hindquarters
Broad, strong and muscular, well turned stifle. Low-set hock with great propulsion.

Feet
Rounded, well padded and cat-like. Pointing straight forward standing and moving.

Tail
Docking previously optional.
(a) Medium docked. Set high, completing perfectly level topline. Carried erect.
(b) Tail of moderate length to give a general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip, as straight as possible, carried jauntily, not excessively gay, completing perfectly level topline.

Gait/Movement
Forelegs should move straight forward when travelling; hind legs follow in their track; hocks parallel and flexing to show pads.

Coat
Hard, wiry, straight, lying close to body, thick undercoat. Longer and rougher on neck forming a ruff to frame face. Hair on head and ears short and smooth, except for slight whiskers and eyebrows.

Colour
All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. White marks or patches are undesirable.

Size
Ideal height at withers 25 cms (10 ins).

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 effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

 

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard

General Appearance:   

Smooth coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.

Characteristics:            

Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.

Temperament:              

Bold, fearless and totally reliable.

Head And Skull:            

Short, deep though with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black.

Eyes:                              

Dark preferred but may bear some relation to coat colour. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.

Ears:                               

Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy. Full, drop or pricked ears highly undesirable.

Mouth:                             

Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:                              

Muscular, rather short, clean in outline gradually widening towards shoulder.

Forequarters:                 

Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow.

Body:                              

Close coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.

Hindquarters:                

Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.

Feet:                               

Well padded, strong and of medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs.

Tail:                                

Medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old fashioned pump handle.

Gait/Movement:            

Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hindlegs.

Coat:                               

Smooth, short and close.

Colour:                             

Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable.

 

 

Sizes: Weight: Dogs 12.7-17 kg (28-38 lbs) at withers
Bitches 11-15.4 kg (24-34 lbs) at withers
Desirable Height: 14-16 inches
(these heights being related to the weights)

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.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.