BODY:

Loin : Short and square.  Open couplings highly undesirable.

Chest : Deep and fairly broad, with well defined brisket. Foreribs fairly flat. Body well ribbed up showing a gradual spring and well arched in centre but rather lighter towards quarters.

GAIT / MOVEMENT:

Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from front and rear.

COAT:

Hair: Dense, of fine to medium texture and good quality, as flat as possible. Legs and tail well feathered. Full furnishings on maturity complete the elegance of a good dog.

COLOUR:

Black or liver only.

TAIL: 

Short, straight and well set on, gaily carried, but never much above level of back.

LIMBS:

FOREQUARTERS:

Forelegs straight, with bone of good quality throughout.

Elbow: Moving cleanly and evenly on chest.

Forefeet: Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong.

HINDQUARTERS:

Muscular. Should stand true all round. Stifle : Moderate bend.

Hock: Moderate bend, well let down. Cowhocks highly undesirable. Hind feet : Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong.

N.B.:

• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

UTILIZATION:

Gundog.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

A bright, active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression, showing power without lumber, and raciness without weediness.

HEAD:

Long and nicely moulded.

CRANIAL REGION:

Skull : Flat and moderately broad.

Stop : Slight stop between eyes, in no way accentuated, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance.

FACIAL REGION:

Nose : Good size, with open nostrils.

Jaws/Teeth : Jaws long and strong, capable of carrying a hare or a pheasant, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong.

Eyes: Medium size, dark brown or hazel, with a very intelligent expression (a round prominent eye highly undesirable). Not obliquely placed.

Ears : Small and well set on, close to side of head.

FCI-CLASSIFICATION:

• Group 8 Retrievers-Flushing Dogs-Water Dogs.
• Section 1 Retrievers. With working trial.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT:

Generously endowed with natural gundog ability, optimism and friendliness demonstrated by enthusiastic tail action; confident and kindly.

NECK:

Head well set in neck, the latter reasonably long and free from throatiness, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders, running well into the back to allow for easy seeking of trail.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:

Preferred height: Dogs: 59 – 61,5 cm (23-24 ins), Bitches: 56,5 – 59 cm (22-23 ins).

Preferred weight in hard condition: Dogs:   27 – 36 kg (60-80 lbs), Bitches :  25 – 32 kg (55-70 lbs).

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 and on its ability to perform its traditional work.