Notice Board

The PRT Breed Standard

Along with a number of other breed clubs the two UK PRT Clubs have been given the opportunity to discuss and, having mutually agreed their proposed changes to the current PRT breed standard, to put their suggestions forward to the KC for approval.

This is a very welcome chance to revise and expand on the description of the PRT and to highlight the key characteristics of the breed more clearly. Members of the PRT Club are welcome to put forward their own comments in writing, by Email or letter, via any member of the PRT Club Committee who are meeting on April 20th 2008 to discuss changes to the Breed Standard.

The KC has asked the PRT Club to use the format shown below which has been kindly provided by Jan Wood.

(NB The following example compiled by Jan contains her own ideas for changes to the Breed Standard and is intended as a starting point for discussion.)

PRT Club Shows 2008

Spring Open Show will be held on Saturday, April 12th 2008 Venue Norton Parish Hall, Littleworth, Worcester Judge Ms Michelle Barnett (Brockfox)

Summer Open Show will be held on Sunday August 3rd 2008 Venue Polesworth Memorial Hall, Polesworth, Nr Tamworth Judge Mr Geoff Roden (Quarrymist)

PRT Club 12th Championship Show will be held on Saturday November 8th 2008 Venue Norton Parish Hall, Littleworth, Worcester Judge Mr Kevin Moore (Moonreapers)

Spring Open Show Schedules

Schedules for the Spring Show have been circulated to PRT Club Members.

Additional copies can be obtained from:

Sara Nixon
Tel 01865 771732 or snixon@ntlworld.com

NB The closing date for entries is March 17th 2008

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BREED STANDARD

* Existing standard in black
* Possible new wording in red

General Appearance

Workmanlike, active and agile; built for speed and endurance. Overall picture of balance and flexibility. Honourable scars permissible.

Workmanlike, active, agile, without exaggeration. Built for stamina and endurance, overall picture of balance and flexibility. Honourable scars permissible.

Characteristics

Essentially a working terrier with ability and conformation to go to ground and run with hounds.

Essentially a terrier bred to work fox, a confident, energetic and happy dog that has the ability and conformation to go to ground.

Temperament

Bold and friendly.

Bold and friendly.

Head and Skull

Flat, moderately broad, gradually narrowing to the eyes. Shallow stop. Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Nose black.

Flat, moderately broad, shallow stop. Length from nose to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput, gradually narrowing to the eyes, cheeks not prominent. Head should be wedge shaped. Nose black.

Needs skull proportions?

Eyes

Almond-shaped, fairly deep-set, dark, keen expression.

Dark, almond in shape, fairly deep-set, never prominent. Keen, intelligent expression.

Ears

Small, V-shaped, dropping forward, carried close to head, tip of ear to reach corner of eye, fold not to appear above top of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.

Size in proportion with the head, V-shaped, dropping forward, tip of ear to reach corner of eye, fold not to appear above top of skull. Leather of moderate thickness.

Mouth

Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Jaws strong, muscular. Teeth of a good size and set square to the jaws, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth. Full dentition preferable.

Neck

Clean, muscular, of good length, gradually widening to shoulders.

Clean, muscular, and of good length, gradually widening and flowing into the shoulders.

Forequarters

Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers. Legs strong, must be straight with joints turning neither in nor out. Elbows close to body, working free of the sides.

Shoulders long and sloping, well laid back, cleanly cut at withers. Upper arm of equal length to the shoulder blade and at such an angle that the legs are carried well back under the body, below the point of the withers. Legs strong and straight with joints turning neither in nor out, strong flexible pasterns. Elbows close to body, working free of the sides. Space between front legs should be of moderate width. In mature dogs length of forelegs should be slightly longer than depth of body at a ratio of 11 to 10.

Body

Ribs not over-sprung. Chest of moderate depth, not to come below point of elbow, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. Back strong and straight. Loin slightly arched. Well balanced. Overall length slightly longer than height from withers to ground.

Ribs not over-sprung nor slab sided. Chest of moderate depth, not to come below point of elbow, capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average size hands. Back strong and straight with ribs carried well back, loin strong and slightly arched. Overall length from point of shoulder to point of buttock slightly longer than height from withers to ground at a ratio of 8 to 7.

Hindquarters

Strong, muscular with good angulation and bend of stifle. Hocks set low and rear pasterns parallel giving plenty of drive.

Strong, muscular with good angulation and bend of stifle, whilst not being exaggerated. Hocks set low and rear pasterns parallel giving plenty of drive.

Feet

Compact with firm pads, turning neither in nor out.

Compact with firm pads, toes moderately arched, never flat or open, turning neither in nor out.

Tail

Previously customarily docked. Docked: Length complimenting the body while providing a good handhold. Strong, straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the move. Undocked: Of moderate length and as straight as possible, giving a general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the end. Moderately high set, carried well up on the move .

Previously customarily docked. Docked: Length complementing the body while providing a good handhold. Strong, preferably straight, moderately high set, carried well up on the move, inclined to lower when relaxed. Undocked: Of moderate length and preferably as straight as possible, giving a general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the end. Moderately high set, carried well up on the move, inclined to lower when relaxed. Slight forward curve permisable.

Gait/Movement

Free-striding, well co-ordinated; straight action front and behind.

Free-striding gait covering the ground effortlessly, strides should be of good length with hindquarters providing plenty of drive. Well co-ordinated; straight action front and behind.

Coat

Naturally harsh, close and dense, whether rough or smooth. Belly and undersides coated. Skin must be thick and loose.

Whether rough or smooth naturally harsh, flat, straight, close and dense with good undercoat. Belly and undersides coated. Skin must be thick and loose. The coat should be prepared to appear natural and never be clipped.

Colour

Entirely white or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black markings, or any combination of these colours, preferably confined to the head and/or root of tail.

Entirely white or predominantly white with tan, lemon or black markings or any combination of these colours preferably confined to the head and/or root of the tail. A degree of ticking is acceptable providing it is confined to the skin and undercoat.

Size

Most importantly a working terrier should be capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average sized hands. Ideal height at withers: dogs 36 cms (14 ins.), bitches 33 cms (13 ins.) It is recognised that smaller terriers are required for work in certain areas and lower heights are therefore quite acceptable provided that soundness and balance are maintained.

Ideal height at withers: dogs 36 cms (14 ins.), bitches 33 cms (13 ins.) Most importantly soundness and balance should be maintained whilst taking into account that a terrier bred to work fox should be capable of being spanned behind the shoulders by average sized hands.

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.