Standard

Standard FCI nr. 10/12.03.1998

BORDER TERRIER

Origin: Great Britain

Date of publication of the original valid standard: 24.06.1987

Utilization: terrier

Classification FCI:

General appearence: essentially a working terrier. Capable of following a horse

Behaviour/Temperament: combining activity with gameness

Head: head like that of an otter

Skull: moderately broad

Nose: black nose preferable, but liver or flesh-coloured one not a serious fault.

Muzzle: short, strong.

Jaws/Teeth: scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable. Undershot or overshot a major fault and highly undesirable.

Eyes: dark with keen expression

Ears: small, V-shaped, of moderate thickness, and dropping forward close to the cheek.

Neck: ff moderate length.

Body: deep, narrow, fairly long

Loins: strong.

Chest: ribs carried well back, but not oversprung, as a terrier should be capable of being spanned by both hands behind the shoulder

Tail: moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering. Set high, carried gaily, but not curled over back

Limbs

Gait/Movement: has the soundness to follow a horse

Skin: must be thick

Hair: harsh and dense; with close undercoat

Colour: red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, or blue and tan

Weight:

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 on the terrier's ability to work. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum