General balance is more important than absolute size. Slightly longer than tall, on a ratio as ten is to twelve.  STANDARD size should be from 19 inches and up to 24 inches with dogs slightly larger than bitches MINIATURE size should be from 15 TO 18 INCHES with dogs slightly larger than bitches. Neither dog nor bitch in either size should appear fat nor thin, but be firmly fleshed with backbone not protruding. Well muscled to enable him to carry out his duties.

A Medium size falling somewhere in between the Standard and the Miniature is acceptable during the early formative period of breed development.

Expression is sweet and gentle but lively and never dull. Eyes  oval or round are a feature of the breed and should be larger than small. Should neither protrude nor be sunken. Lively , curious, fun loving, wise, and seeking human eye contact. Set  apart, and dark brown to light amber or shades of hazel in color. Long sweeping eyelashes which should not be cut. Blue eyes or eyes of two different colors are a disqualification. Eye rims black,  liver or rich rose and without sag or looseness of haw. Incomplete pigment is a serious fault. A sharp, piercing or expressionless eye is a serious fault    

Teeth and Gums strong and healthy. Scissors bite preferred, level bite tolerated in an otherwise excellent specimen. Broken teeth should not be faulted if due to accident. Overshot, undershot, wry bite or crowded mouth are disqualifications.

Neck slightly arched, powerful and muscular, moderate in length. The dewlap should not be pendulous or excessive. Topline will appear level when gaiting. Back will be powerful, muscular and level with slight drop behind withers and gradual arch over loin sloping slightly downward at the croup. Body well proportioned, functional, without exaggeration, neither fat and ‘soft’, nor overly thin.   Chest moderately deep but not excessively so. Tail Set low from the sloping croup and carried in saber shape. May be carried gaily when excited with the tip above the topline. Twisted, kinked,  possum or teapot tails are a fault.

Shoulders should be muscular and well developed, blades long, broad and sloping. Elbows should be neither in nor out. Forelegs should be relatively long, well-boned and set straight with strong pasterns. The feet are strong and compact with well-arched toes, round or oval in shape. They should have stout nails with pads thick and tough. Dewclaws may be removed.

Strong, with broad thighs and well muscled.  Angulation at the stifle and hock are in proportion to the forequarters with stifles longer than the hocks which are short and straight to the ground.. As seen from behind, the legs are parallel. The feet are oval or round, strong and compact with well-arched toes. There should be no hind dewclaws.

The coat is a distinct feature  and is given high priority after conformation and temperament..  

Single Coat in Both Varieties. Must Not Shed nor have  doggy Odor. Distinct curls in Wool Coats and distinctly loose tendrils or waves in Fleece Coats. Fluffy coats severely penalized..  Bleaching of the tips caused by 'weathering' from sun wind and rain must not be penalized. 

Wool coats to be presented similarly to the lamb clip of the Poodle. Fleece coats to be presented between four and six inches long with even length over body legs and tail. Face trimmed to show the eyes, feet trimmed short and hidden by the overhang of the leg coat.

At the trot, should appear to float effortlessly above the ground. Light, lithe graceful and athletic giving the impression of ‘going somewhere’.

When viewed from the front or rear, the legs turn neither in or out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. 

With increased speed, footfall converges toward the centre line of gravity. When viewed from the side, the front legs should reach out smoothly to full extension with no prancing or high stepping. The hind legs should reach well forward beneath the body, with the short strong hocks flexing well. Ambling or pacing is a serious fault.

Lively, friendly and fun loving. Human oriented, he should seek human eye contact and show obvious pleasure in his work. Timidity, reserve of strangers, shyness and aggression are all disqualifying faults.

Whole colors in Black, Silver, shades of Cream Caramel or Apricot, Red (rare), Chocolate, Cafe au Lait, Parchment, Blue, and Lavender (rare).

Parti Colored are acceptable  in combinations of the Whole colors with White or Cream.

Merle is a disqualifying coat color ♦ See note below