Hamiltonstovare

Strikingly tricoloured, handsome, upstanding dog. Rectangular, well proportioned, hardy and sound. Gives the impression of great strength and stamina. Never heavy. Clearly defined difference between the sexes. Important Proportions: Rectangular body and longish head. Depth of chest equal to half height at withers.

Typical even-tempered hound.

Head longish, rectangular, with slightly arched and moderately broad skull. Occiput not too prominent. Stop well defined but not over pronounced. Jowls not too heavy. Muzzle fairly long, large and rectangular. Bridge of nose straight and parallel to line of skull. Nose always black, well developed with large nostrils. Upper lips full but not too overhanging.

Almond-shaped, dark brown with tranquil expression.

Set fairly high, when drawn alongside jaw, ears extend to approximately half-way along muzzle and should be raised only slightly above skull when responding to call. Soft with straight fall and fore edge not folded out.

Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Long and powerful, merging well into shoulders, skin on neck supple and close fitting.

Shoulders muscular and well laid back. When viewed from front forelegs appear straight and parallel. Upper arm long and well-angulated to shoulder. Elbows set close in to body.

Back straight and powerful. Strong, broad, muscular loin. Slightly inclined croup of good length. Chest deep, ribs moderately sprung, back ribs proportionately long. Only very slight rise in underline.

Well angulated. Strong and parallel when viewed from behind. Broad, well muscled thighs. Feet Compact, oval, pointing straight forward with short well-arched toes. Pads well-developed and firm.

Short and hard. Pads firm and pointing straight forward.

Set on low, in line with croup. Fairly wide at base, narrowing towards tip, reaching the hock. Held straight or curving slightly in sabre-like shape. Raised, but not carried above the backline, when on the move.

Free striding and long reaching. Hindlegs showing drive. Not moving close behind.

Coat consists of two layers. Undercoat short, close and soft, especially thick during winter. Upper coat strongly weather-resistant lying close to body. On underside of tail, ordinary hair quite long but not forming a fringe. Ample hair between pads.

Tricolour.

On the adult dog black colour to form a mantle over body to continue on upper side of neck and upper side of tail.

Tan on head, ears, legs, sides of neck, shoulders, under body, thighs and underside of tail. Tan ranges from golden to a rich, deep, rusty red.

Lack of clear division between black and tan undesirable in an adult dog. White colouring as a blaze on muzzle, on throat, brisket, tip of tail, lower part of legs and feet. 

Large white markings on neck or full white collar undesirable. Lack of white markings highly undesirable.

None of the three colours should dominate. Characteristic breed colour pattern highly desirable. Any other colour or combination of colours unacceptable.

Dogs 53-61 cms (21-24 ins). Ideal size 57 cms (22½ ins).

Bitches 49-57 cms (19¼ - 22 ½ ins). Ideal size 53 cms (21 ins).

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.