Official UK Kennel Club Breed Standard

General Appearance: Medium-sized working sled-dog, quick and light on feet. Never appearing so heavy or coarse as to suggest a freighting animal, nor so light and fragile as to suggest a sprint-racing animal. Muscle firm and well developed, no excess weight.

Size: Height: dogs: 53-60 cms (21-231/2 ins) at withers; bitches: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins) at withers. Weight: dogs: 20.-27 kgs (45-60 lbs); bitches: 16-23 kgs (35-50 lbs). A dog should not exceed 60 cms (231/2 ins) or a bitch exceed 56 cms (22 ins).

Head and Skull: Medium size in proportion to the body, presents a finely chiselled fox-like appearance. Nose black in grey, tan or black dogs; liver in copper dogs; and may be flesh-coloured in pure white.

Eyes: Almond-shaped, moderately spaced and set obliquely. Any shade of blue or brown, one of each colour, or parti-colours equally acceptable.

Ears: Medium size, relatively close together, triangular in shape, the height slightly greater than width at base. Set high on head, amd strongly erect. Thick, well furred outside and inside, tips slightly rounded.

Tail: Well furred, of fox brush shape set on just below level of topline and usually carried over back in graceful sickle curve when dog is at attention. When carried up, tail should not curl too tightly, nor should it curl to either side of body, or snap flat against back.

Gait/Movement: Smooth and seemingly effortless. Quick and light on feet, gaited on a loose lead at a moderately fast trot, exhibiting good reach in forequarters and good drive in hindquarters. When walking, legs move in parallel, but as speed increases, gradually angling inward to single track .Topline of back remaining firm and level during gaiting.

Coat: Double, and medium in length, giving a well furred appearance, never so long as to obscure outline of dog.