The Breed Standard

RBTclub

The Breed Standard

Breed Standard (UK) © RUSSIAN BLACK TERRIER–Interim Breed Standard Oct. 2011 A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website here http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breeds/watch for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring. General Appearance Large, imposing dog, above average size, strongly built with heavy bone. Well proportioned general appearance, sturdy and robust frame. Well developed muscles. Body almost square. A medium texture, weatherproof coat well Furnished on head and limbs. Trimmed. Characteristics Natural guarding instincts. Easily trained. Very adaptable. Temperament Alert, lively and even-tempered, wary of strangers. Resilient, brave and self-confident. Head and Skull Well proportioned with moderately broad skull and rounded cheekbones. Eyebrows slightly pronounced. Skull flat. Medium stop, not too accentuated. Top line of muzzle parallel to the top line of the skull. Muzzle solid with slight tapering towards the tip and length a little shorter than skull. Whiskers and beard give muzzle a squared-off shape. Lips thick and black in colour, tightly fitting. Large black nose. Eyes Medium, oval in appearance and dark. Set obliquely and wide apart. Eyelids dark and fitting tightly. Ears High set, pendant, not too big, triangular in shape with the inner edge lying tightly against the cheekbone. Mouth Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full, strong dentition desirable. Neck Reasonably long, powerful, muscular and clean cut. Flows into the top line at an approximate 45° angle. Forequarters Shoulders well laid back. Seen from the front, legs straight and parallel, pasterns short and straight. Elbows carried close to the body. Body High withers clearly marked above top line, back level and muscular. Depth of chest level with elbows or slightly below, Chest deep with well-sprung ribs. Moderate tuck-up. Loin short, wide, muscular and slightly arched. Rump large and muscular with a barely visible slope towards the tail which is set high on the croup. Hindquarters Seen from behind, legs straight and parallel, set wider than the front legs. Thighs muscular and well developed. Stifles well bent and hocks set low. Feet Large, well arched and rounded with thick pads. Black nails. Tail Tail set is more important than carriage. Set high and thick. Docked: Customarily docked leaving three to four vertebrae. Undocked: May curl over the back, not gay. Length and thickness in balance with body. Gait/Movement At the trot, legs move in a straight line, with forelegs converging slightly. Fairly elastic movement. Ground-covering movement with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. Coat Medium texture weatherproof coat, with dense undercoat. Not wiry or soft. When brushed the hair is broken coated and slightly waved. Furnishings well developed on eyebrows, beard and legs. The ears (from fold to tip), skull, cheeks, throat to sternum, underside of the tail, buttocks and rear of stifle are closely trimmed. Colour Black or black with grey hairs distributed through the coat, but not in confined areas, and in total no more than one third of the coat. and Non-Standard. Size Height at the withers: Dogs 68 -77cm (27 – 30 1/2 ins), Bitches 66 -72cm (26 – 28 1/2 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. 11^th July 2000 the General Committee approved an interim Breed Standard for the Russian Black Terrier- Effective 1^st September 2000 - Tail clause amended and effective from July 2001 -Colour Non- Standard effective from January2004 Amendment to breed standard coat texture and colour effective 1^st April 2007 At its meeting on 10^th July 2007, the General Committee agreed that an amendment should be made to the tail clauses of all traditionally docked breeds, in the light of the recent legislation on tail docking. The tail clauses of all standards which refer to a breed as being ‘Customarily docked’ will be amended to ‘Previously, customarily docked.’