Color: Jet black and rich mahogany tan. The position of the tan markings
is important. The muzzle should be tanned to the nose. A bright spot on
each cheek and above each eye and the under-jaw and throat are tanned
with a distinct black V mark immediately under the jaw. The fore legs
should be tanned up to the knee, with black lines up each toe, and a
black “thumb” mark above the foot. The insides of the hind legs tanned,
but divided with black at the hock joint. The under part of the tail is
also tanned, and there should be a light tan mark at each side of the
chest. Tan outside of hind legs, commonly called “breeching,” is a
serious defect, and in all cases the black should not run into the tan,
or vice versa. The two colors should be well defined.
Height: 17 in.
Weight: 20 lbs.
This is a good boned dog with the appearance of speed and activity
rather than of strength, and he should be free of any approach to the
whippet type. Head should be long, flat and narrow at skull, level and
wedge-shaped, and well filled up before the eyes, which should be small,
brilliant and dark. The ears if cropped should be carried erect. Chest
narrow and deep, body moderately short with well sprung ribs. The tail
is rather short and should not be carried higher than the back, and the
coat is close, smooth, short and glossy.
In the opinion of many the ban of the English Kennel Club, which now
prohibits the cropping of dogs’ ears, has seriously impaired the
popularity of this breed, as it is claimed that drop ears, no matter how
small and neatly they may be carried, compare unfavorably with the smart
appearance conveyed by neatly cropped ears. None the less a tremendous
amount of suffering unquestionably has been prevented as a result of the
English Kennel Club’s ruling, and all good sportsmen will endorse its
decision.