meet the... Patterdale Terrier

Head

• General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, strongly wedged-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is broad, giving the head breadth. It may be flat or slightly arched. The well-developed temporalis muscles give the topskull some depth, so it should not plane off level from the stop. Instead, it should rise somewhat toward the ears. The head depth is full, being deep from the plane of the topskull to the plane of the lower jawline. The head, overall, is wrapped in powerful muscle with the strength necessary to dispatch quarry. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
• Expression: Keen, intelligent, alert, watchful, active.
• Stop: The stop is moderate to defined.
• Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1 and 2:3, with the topskull being equal to, or just longer than, the muzzle.
  The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or slightly convergent.
• Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. It tapers slightly from a broad and powerful base toward the nose. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
• Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
• Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well-opened.
• Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and powerfully muscled, never appearing flat and giving the face breadth and strength.
• Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
• Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and may be hazel, amber, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging but are well-protected from dirt and debris. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
• Ears: Somewhat small to medium size, set high on the skull, triangular shape, and button. The fold of the ears should fall just above the plane of the topskull.

Body and Tail

• General Description: Compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
• Neck: Moderate length allows for good head carriage and movement. Powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
• Chest: Deep and fairly broad, but never overly wide or deep, and never shallow. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The circumference of the chest, located behind the shoulders and forelegs, should be easily spanned by the average man’s hand, with the fingertips of both hands touching, forming a large “circle” with the thumb and middle fingers around the dog’s chest.
• Topline: Level, or just slightly sloped, from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut and may be flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached. If the back is too short, the dog will lack the flexibility required to maneuver underground.
• Croup: Broad and powerful, may be somewhat flat and level with the back or gently sloped.
• Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
• Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
• Tail: Set fairly high. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually high up but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail may be left natural (preferred) or docked to a medium length, usually 1/3 to 1/4 the original length. Natural tails are of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved.

Forequarters and Hindquarters

• Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are a good length, approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
• Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to, or just greater than, the distance from the elbows to the ground.
• Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate (yet sturdy) bone, and parallel to one another.
  Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
• Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
• Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are of good length, equal in length, strong, of moderate (yet strong) bone, and well-muscled.
  Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
  Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
• Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
• Stifle Joint: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
• Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.

Coat

• Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
• Coat Type: The Patterdale Terrier comes in three coat varieties: the smooth coat, the rough coat, and the broken coat. All coat varieties should exhibit a protective, weather-resistant double coat with a soft, dense undercoat.
  
  Smooth coat variety: The outer coat is short, smooth, and close to the body throughout. The texture is harsh and glossy and may be of uniform length throughout or slightly longer on the neck (forming a light ruff) and on the tail. No fringe or feather is permissible.
  
  Rough-coat variety: The coat is somewhat longer all over the head, face, and body.
  
  Broken-coat variety: This is an intermediate coat type that is neither the smooth close coat nor the complete rough coat; however, this is an ideal coat for going to ground. The coat may be short and close throughout, with slightly longer, wiry, rough head furnishings, including beard, whiskering, mustache, or brows. Or the coat may exhibit a smooth, close appearance for the most part but with longer, rough, wiry guard hairs allocated to certain areas of the dog’s body, such as the head and face or the back.
• Coat Color or Pattern: Solid colors are black, liver (also referred to as chocolate) with a self-colored nose, red that ranges from tan to mahogany, all with or without a mask (darker color around the muzzle), liver (chocolate), or seal or bronze, and blue (puppies are born black, but the black “grays” or “fades” by two years of age). Permissible patterns include grizzle (agouti), black with tan markings or points, and bronze. Small amounts of white are permissible on the feet and chest.

Movement

Smooth, effortless, efficient, energetic, and well-coordinated, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.

Temperament

The Patterdale Terrier is not one to be bred primarily as a family companion but as a hardworking hunting dog. However, if properly trained, socialized, hunted, and exercised (mentally, physically, and sensorial), they do make great companions. They are known to be very loyal and courageous, with an exceptionally high desire to please, only topped by their prey drive, energy, and desire to hunt. If not properly trained and socialized from puppyhood, or if the dogs are not permitted to expend energy and exercise their natural drives and hunting instincts, they are capable of developing behavioral issues, including displaced predatory, aggressive, and possessive behaviors. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.

Faults

All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.