Color: Brindle, fawn, blue, black and harlequin. The harlequin should
have jet-black patches and spots on a pure white ground.
Height: 30 in. or more. Weight: 120 lbs. and over.
This dog is remarkable in size and very muscular. Strongly yet elegantly
built, which latter feature is an absolute essential, as also is
alertness of expression and briskness of movement, and generally he
should carry a look of dash and daring. The head is of great length,
muzzle broad, and jaw powerful. The skull should be flat rather than
domed, and have a slight indentation running up the center. The ears in
Germany are cropped, set high, and carried erect, with the tips falling
forward. The neck should be long and well arched, and quite free from
loose skin. The body is very deep, back strong and hind quarters
extremely muscular. His coat is short, dense and sleek.
The abolition of cropping by the English Kennel Club resulted in English
breeders concentrating their attention to the production of a small ear,
which would hang neatly in lieu of his original large ear, which was
desirable when cropping was permitted. In doing this, character was at
first lost, to some extent, in head, color and soundness of limb, but
these temporary disabilities have now been largely overcome.
[Illustration]