New Zealand Kennel Club – Official Breed Standard – Border Terrier
Characteristics:
The Border Terrier is essentially a working Terrier. It should be able to follow a horse and must combine activity with gameness.
Head and Skull:
Head like that of an otter, moderately broad in skull, with a short strong muzzle; a black nose is preferable but a liver or flesh-coloured one is not a serious fault.
Eyes:
Dark, with keen expression.
Ears:
Small, V-shaped, of moderate thickness and dropping forward close to the cheek.
Mouth:
Teeth should have a scissor-like grip, with the top teeth slightly in front of the lower, but level mouth is quite acceptable. An undershot or overshot mouth is a major fault and highly undesirable.
Neck:
Of moderate length.
Forequarters:
Forelegs straight and not too heavy in bone.
Body:
Deep and narrow and fairly long; ribs carried well back, but not oversprung, as a terrier should be capable of being spanned by both hands behind the shoulder.
Hindquarters:
Racy. Loin strong.
Feet:
Small with thick pads.
Tail:
Moderately short and fairly thick at the base, then tapering, set high and carried gaily but not curled over the back.
Coat:
Harsh and dense with close undercoat. The skin must be thick.
Colour:
Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan or blue and tan.
Weight and Size:
Weight:
Dogs between 13-15.5 lbs (5.8-7 kg); Bitches between 11.5-14 lbs (5.2-6.3 kg).
Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum