General Appearance
The Tenterfield Terrier is a strong, active, agile working terrier
of great versatility and of pleasing proportion. The measurement of
wither to ground and wither to rear point of buttock should be of
equal proportions. The length of the head and neck should always be
in balance to the whole of the dog. The coat is always smooth.
Characteristics
A keen, intelligent and alert expression which is denoted by the
carriage of the ears and erect tail.
Temperament
Confident with an eagerness to learn, showing great loyalty to its
owner and although fearless and bold at work, he is an ideal
companion dog in the home.
Head and Skull
Medium sized head in proportion to the body. The skull is only
slightly rounded from ear to ear. Domed or apple heads are highly
undesirable. When viewed from the front and side, the skull is to be
wedge shaped and well filled in under the eyes. The stop is moderate
and when measured from that point to the occiput it equals the
distance from the stop to the tip of the nose with parallel planes.
The colour of the nose is preferably black, with
the exception of a true liver which will have a liver nose. There
should be strength in the muzzle.
Eyes
Not large, protruding or round, but slightly oval in shape. As dark
as possible with a keen expression and pigmented eye rims. Light
eyes and wall eyes are to be discouraged.
Ears
V-shaped and slightly rounded tips, set high on the outer edge of
the skull, erect or semi-erect. If semi-erect the top third of the
ear tips forward. Not wide or large at the base, rather medium in
size. The length of the ear to be roughly equal to the width between
the ears. The ears are of a thin texture (not thick).
Mouth
Strong jaws with full dentition and complete scissor bite, ie upper
teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth. Lips to be tight fitting
and pigmented. A wry mouth should be heavily penalized.
Neck
Strong and clean of good length allowing head to be carried proudly.
Forequarters
Shoulders well sloped back and not too heavily muscled. Forelegs are
of strong round bone in keeping with the size of the dog, straight
when viewed from any angle with sufficient length of the upper arm
which is well angled to the scapula ensuring the elbows are set
under the body with the sternum clearly in front of the shoulder
blades.
Body
A short, compact, level topline. A strong back without slackness and
with powerful loins. Ribs moderately sprung, back ribs deep and
reaching well back with only a slight tuck up. The chest is of
moderate width and reaching in depth to the level of the elbow, but
not below.
Hindquarters
Not too heavily muscled. The rump is well rounded with only a slight
slope to the croup. Long and powerful thighs. The stifle is well
bent and the hocks well let down. The pastern should be parallel
when viewed from the rear, and vertical when viewed from the side.
Feet
Compact, round shaped, toes moderately arched.
Tail
Either docked or natural. If docked, docked at the 3rd joint.
Sometimes a natural bob tail occurs. High set and erect when alert,
but not carried over the back. If natural, of moderate length, to
give balance to the dog. High set and erect when alert, but not
carried over the back. Carried gaily, showing bold temperament.
Gait / Movement
Fore and hind legs carried straight forward and parallel. The elbows
to move perpendicular to the body, working clear of the sides,
stifles neither turning in nor out and the hocks not close, with
good rear drive coming from the well flexing hindquarters.
To be short and of smooth texture. The Tenterfield Terrier is a
single coated dog.
Color
Predominantly white with black, liver and/or tan markings in its
various tones. Tri-colouring is common (ie. white with black
markings and tan cheeks, and/or tan above eyes and/or tan breeches).
Brindle markings acceptable but not preferred. Full colour coats are
not acceptable. Skins should always be pigmented.
Size
The ideal height to be 25.5 to 30.5 cm (10 to 12 inches)
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