Nails are short and thick. The tail is long and reaching to the hock, carried down with slight curve. It may be held up when showing dominance, or straight out when running, but never curled forward past the perpendicular. The coat is medium length and shiny. It has a short thick plush undercoat with long guard hairs that stand off from body.
Hair is longer on the chest, ruff, shoulders, back of legs, and tail.
All colors have a sable shading with darker tipped guard hairs. All colors blend gently together, with very little spotting or defined line between colors. Some white on the chest, feet, caller and tip of the tail is accepted. Temperament A thinking breed, these dogs are very instinctual and territorially conscious. This creates an intense bonding, shown in pack loyalty to their family.