Chenery character how to look: appearance characteristics of the head is strong, rectangular, and long; from the ears through the eyes to the nose mirror. Slightly narrower. The ears are highly developed and of medium thickness. If clipped, the ears should be erect, V-shaped, folded forward, with the inner edge near the cheek. The eyes are medium sized, dark brown, oval and directed forward. The nosepiece is large, black and plump. The muzzle is firm, parallel to the head and of the same length as the head. The muzzle ends in a blunt wedge shape with exaggerated bristles and whiskers. The entire head is rectangular in appearance. A full mouth of white teeth with a strong and perfectly clipped bite. The neck is strong, of medium thickness and length, elegantly arched and combined with the shoulder profile. The back is strong and sturdy. The chest is moderately wide, with well expanded ribs, which should be ovipositive and anteriorly driven if observed in cross section. The thighs are stout and the rear knee is properly angled. The second thigh, the section from the knee to the fly joint, is parallel to the extension of the neck. The paws are small, compact, and rounded, with thick pads and very strong black nails. The toes are close together and slightly arched (cat feet) with the toes straight forward . How to look at the character of the Sheltie: Gait The gait at a trot is used to judge the dog’s athletic stance. From the front, the front legs are elbows close to the body and straight forward, with the legs neither too close together nor too far apart. From the rear, the hind legs are straight and moving in the same plane as the front legs. Please note: When trotting, the statement that the back leg is in constant motion in the same plane as the front leg, while generally accepted, actually has a very small inward lean. The inward tilt starts at the shoulder in the front half and at the hip in the back half, and the leg is straight from these points to the foot pad, whether viewed from the front or the back. In a Miniature Schnauzer with a correct gait, the inward tilt of the feet is almost imperceptible. However, an inward tilt of the foot does not indicate correct hock turn in, toes too far together in front, cross stance, or elbow turn out stance. When viewed from the side, the front leg stride is fully extended, the hind leg drive is strong, and the hock joint is fully raised. The foot is neither turned inward nor turned outward. Deficiencies: one-step, diagonal stance, paddle-like gait of the front limbs (elbows and shoulders tucked inward, resulting in a paddle-like posture with the front limbs swinging forward along a rigid arc), riding horse gait (like a horse, with the front foot raised high and the wrist bent), and insufficient rear drive.
