The

"Gayundah Aimee" showing the Standard to Perfection (sadly Aimee is not shown)

GENERAL APPEARANCE - The Tenterfield Terrier is a strong, active, agile working terrier of great versatility and of pleasing proportion. The measurement of wither to ground and wither to rear point of buttock should be of equal proportions. The length of the head and neck should always be in balance to the whole of the dog. The tail is preferably docked and the coat is always smooth. Please Note: It is now illegal to dock puppies’ tails, BUT, this breed has a large number of puppies born with NATURAL SHORT OR BOB TAILS.

CHARACTERISTICS - A keen, intelligent and alert expression which is denoted by the carriage of the ears and erect tail.

TEMPERAMENT - Confident, with an eagerness to learn, showing great loyalty to its owner and although fearless and bold at work, he is an ideal companion dog in the home.

HEAD AND SKULL - Medium sized head in proportion to body. The head is only slightly rounded from ear to ear. Domed or apple heads are highly undesirable. When viewed from the front and side, head is to be wedge shaped and well filled in under the eyes. The stop to be moderate and when measured from that point to occiput it equals the distance from the stop to the tip of the nose with parallel planes. The colour of the nose is preferably black, with the exception of a true liver which will have a liver nose. There should be strength in the muzzle.

EYES - Not large, protruding or round, but slightly oval in shape. As dark as possible with a keen expression and pigmented eye rims. Light eyes and wall eyes are to be discouraged.

EARS - V shaped with slightly rounded tips, set high on the outer edge of the skull, erect or semi-erect. If semi-erect the top third of the ear tips forward. Not wide or large at the base, rather medium in size. The length of the ear to be roughly equal to the width between the ears. The ears are of a thin texture (not thick).

MOUTH - Strong jaws with full dentition and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth. Lips to be tight fitting and pigmented. A wry mouth should be heavily penalised.

NECK - Strong and clean of moderate length, allowing head to be carried proudly.

FOREQUARTERS - Shoulders well sloped back and not too heavily muscled. Forelegs are of strong round bone in keeping with the size of the dog, straight when viewed from any angle with sufficient length of the upper arm which is well angled to the scapula ensuring the elbows are set under the body with the sternum clearly in front of the shoulder blades.

BODY - A short, compact, level topline. A strong back without slackness and with powerful loins. Ribs moderately sprung, back ribs deep and reaching well back with only a slight tuck up. The chest is of moderate width and reaching in depth to the level of the elbow, but not below.

HINDQUARTERS - Not too heavily muscled. The rump is well rounded with only a slight slope to the croup. Long and powerful thighs. The stifle is well bent and the hocks well let down. The pastern should be parallel when viewed from the rear, and vertical when viewed from the side.

FEET - Compact, round shaped, toes moderately arched.

TAIL - Either docked or natural.

If docked, docked at the 3rd joint. Sometimes a natural bob tail occurs. High set and erect when alert, but not carried over the back. Carried gaily, showing bold temperament.

If natural, of moderate length, to give balance to dog. High set and erect when alert, but not carried over the back. Carried gaily, showing bold temperament.

GAIT/MOVEMENT - Fore and hind legs carried straight forward and parallel. The elbows to move perpendicular to the body, working clear of the sides, stifles neither turning in nor out and the hocks not close, with good rear drive coming from the well flexing hindquarters.

COAT - To be short and of smooth texture. The Tenterfield Terrier is a single coated dog.

COLOUR - Predominantly white with black, liver and/or tan markings in its various tones. Tri colouring is common (i.e. white with black markings and tan cheeks and/or tan above eyes and/or tan breeches). Brindle markings acceptable but not preferred. Full colour coats are not acceptable. Skin should always be pigmented.

SIZE - The height to be 25.5 to 30.5cm (10 to 12 ins) with ideal being 28cm (11 ins) but not exceeding 30.5cm (12 ins). The weight to be in proportion to the size of the dog.

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. Any weakness in the following should be particularly penalised.

1. Lack of Tenterfield Terrier type
2. Lack of true terrier characteristics
3. Lack of balance - i.e. over exaggeration of any points
4. Lack of gender definition
5. Sluggish or unsound movement
6. Faulty mouth
7. Apple/dome heads

NOTE - Males animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

While I have, at times, given comparisons to Jack Russell Terriers it is in no way meant to be derogatory to the Jack Russell – It should also be noted that these are my ideas and not all Tenterfield Terrier Breeders may agree.

General Appearance: These Terriers are NOT Jack Russells!! whose Standard says the following - BODY - Chest deep rather than wide, with good clearance and the brisket located at the height mid-way between the ground and the withers. The body should be proportioned marginally longer than tall, measuring slightly longer from the withers to the root of the tail than from the withers to the ground.

The Tenterfield Terrier is a SQUARE dog with the measurement standard as saying – wither to ground and wither to rear point of buttock should be of EQUAL PROPORTIONS , therefore a Tenterfield Terrier which has the general body proportions similar to a Jack Russell is not acceptable.

Characteristics and Temperament: These dogs love to be active and will hunt anything that looks like a fox or a rat and should never be sued onto cats as you will be making a rod for your own back when you go visiting where the owners have cats.

Head and Skull: The head must be in proportion to the body. The stop is to be moderate. Although the Tenterfield has been bred down through the Fox Terrier, in no way should the stop be almost flat as in the Fox Terrier, nor should it be very pronounced, leading to an apple head, as in the Chihuahua. A ‘snipey’ muzzle is also not encouraged as there should be strength in the muzzle to enable to killing of prey.

Eyes: Slightly oval in shape – not round - and while a keen expression is desired, it should still be a ‘kindly’ eye – not mean and aggressive.

Ears: Although erect or semi-erect ears are the Standard, it should be noted that in the Tenterfield Terrier, it can take as long as 14 months for the ear set to become erect.

Mouth: Because the Tenterfield is a hunting dog, strong jaws and teeth are most important, with lips to be tight and pigmented.

Neck: One of the defining aspects of a Tenterfield over a Jack Russell, is its elegant length of neck. Shortness in this area is not desirable.

Forequarters: The overall appearance here is one of strength, speed and agility, so NO LOADED SOULDERS. Tenterfields showing a ‘Staffy’ style body is not what we are after. A good chest should not be too wide giving a barrel appearance, nor too narrow giving no room for movement.

Body: A good spring of rib is essential. Strength in the back area and powerful loins with a SLIGHT tuck up. Viewed from side on, the chest should reach, in depth, the level of the elbow.

Hindquarters: It is in this area that we get the most controversy. The Standard says only a SLIGHT slope to the croup, so a low tail-set is to be frowned upon. A straight pastern, with very little bend at the knee is not desirable as this impedes a powerful, forward movement.

Feet: The Tenterfield Terrier, being a working terrier should be ‘up on his feet’ to enable good movement. Too long nails help to set the Tenterfield “back on his heels” so small, neat and tidy feet should be the norm.

Tail: Since the introduction of non-docked tails, judging of this appendage has become quite difficult as many members have varying opinions as to how the Tenterfield should now carry a long tail. The one thing which all are agreed upon is that the tail should NOT hang down and back, between the hind legs, as in a Whippet or Italian Greyhound. The tail, at its base, should be held erect and high. Judges should also remember that bob-tails and short-tails are quite prevalent in this breed, and is fully acceptable. In fact progeny are being kept to breed this facet into the Tenterfield in some kennels.

Gait – Movement: The high stepping, hackney style gait of a Miniature Pincher is not acceptable. For those of you who have horses, the gait and movement of a Tenterfield could be likened to that of a powerful Thoroughbred horse with good strong drive from the rear and a nice straight action throughout. Crooked front legs, Cabriole Legs, Over at the knee, are all unacceptable in a Tenterfield.

Coat: Depending on which part of Australia the Tenterfield is born can lead to a slightly different length in coat, but all coats MUST be single coated with absolutely NO undercoat. The length of the hair shaft can vary between 5mm and about 15mm in length ( 1/8^th inch to 2/3^rd inch). However, no matter what the length, the coat should feel smooth and pleasant to the touch, very short coats should feel like satin and a healthy shine with no sign of a ‘scary’ coat should be noted. A ‘wire’ coat, such as seen in the Jack Russell, is not a good coat in the Tenterfield

Colour: it should be noted that a liver coat is acceptable in the Tenterfield so long as it is accompanied by the appropriate liver nose and yellow eyes. There is also NO mention of ‘ticking’ in the coat in the Tenterfield Standard so this is also acceptable. The pigmentation on the skin is a must.

Size: There has been some controversy of late as to the height of some Tenterfields and as the Standard says “not exceeding 30.5cms (12 inches)” then that is what we should be breeding to.......not changing the Standard to suit the dogs that are being bred over-height. Maybe those that continually breed over-height dogs should look at their breeding practices.

Faults: The mention of Male Tenterfields having two normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum in the faults section - Judges should take note of the fact that a lot of Tenterfields are ‘late developers’ and can often not have fully descended testes until well after 6 months of age. This is quite prevalent in small breeds.

In summing up, it should be noted that while the Tenterfield is a strong, working Terrier, it is also unique. Judges should note that this breed has been formed by the mating of the Fox Terrier, the Manchester Black and Tan (now extinct and replaced by the Manchester Terrier) and either the Whippet, but more likely, the Italian Greyhound. Therefore, the overall appearance should be both strong and athletic, almost a feeling of elegance in both attitude and movement. Course, bulky, over muscled dogs are not to be encouraged however, good bone should be welcomed.

In the handling of a Tenterfield, particularly in the genital area of the male dog. Tenterfields respond greatly to a ‘kindly’ judge.

As opposed to a Jack Russell which is a much more boisterous and independent style of dog and not suitable for everyone, the Tenterfield is known for its ability to adapt to any age group, from both the young, to the very elderly, and this is due to its innate ability to ‘sum up’ its owner and to adapt to its situation, as either a working dog, or to be a lap dog for an elderly owner. It is this adaptability and sensitivity which sets the Tenterfield Terrier apart from other Terrier breeds and must be taken into account when being judged. Rough handling by a judge is to be abhorred at all costs.

Female Tenterfields should show a true femininity and elegance while still retaining her terrier characteristics. Male Tenterfields should show their maleness with an additional muscling, but without showing coarseness – it should be again mentioned that most Tenterfields are late developers and will not come into their own until well into their second year.

A final word - The Tenterfield Terrier is here to stay. Those of us who are dedicated to our breed realize that we are at the beginning of a long journey as far as the uniformity of our Breed is concerned, but we ARE trying to breed the very best we can, and we truly appreciate those Judges who make the effort to study up on our Breed. We do not understand, nor wish to tolerate, those judges who are cavalier in handling and attitude to our beloved dogs. We have earned the right to be in the Show ring, and as such we have earned the right to be judged in a fair and appropriate manner.

Please Note That All Dogs Shown Above, Except the Dog in the Top Photo, Are Natural Bob/Short Tails