GENERAL APPEARANCE: Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with kindly expression.
CHARACTERISTICS: Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.
TEMPERAMENT: Kindly, friendly and confident.
EYES: Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims.
EARS: Moderate size, set on approximate level with eyes.
MOUTH: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set to the jaws.
NECK: Good length, clean and muscular.
FOREQUARTERS: Forelegs straight with good bone, shoulders well laid back, long in blade with upper arm of equal length placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting.
BODY: Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep and well sprung. Level topline.
HINDQUARTERS: Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from rear, neither turning in nor out. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
FEET: Round and cat-like.
TAIL: Set on and carried level back, reaching the hocks, without curl at tip.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Powerful with good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and free with no sign of hackney action in front.
COAT: Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense water-resisting undercoat.
COLOUR: Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest only, permissible.
SIZE: Height at withers: Dogs 56 - 61 cms (22 - 24 ins); Bitches 51 - 56 cms (20 - 22 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.
NOTE: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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