While standing, the forefeet may be slightly turned out, but equally so. The moderately small feet are compact and never splayed. The toes are well-arched, and the dog appears light on its feet. The pads are hard. The nails are strong. COAT: The length of the close-lying coat may be affected by the seasons. The winter coat and those of dogs living in colder climates may be distinctly heavier than the summer coat. On the head, the ears, and front legs, the hair is usually short and smooth. Coarse, longer guard hairs (longer than the undercoat) may extend over the neck, withers and back. When aroused, parts of this hair may stand erect. Guard hairs may be slightly darker giving the appearance of a ridge. The coat behind the shoulder blades is often lighter in color (angel wings) in ginger-colored and in some of the black and tan dogs. Faults : Curly, wavy, or broken coats. COLOR The most common coat color is any of various shades of ginger. The ginger coat may vary in color ranging from a reddish ginger to a lighter straw-color to a pale-yellow, or buff and at times may vary on different areas of the body. For example, the back of the neck, withers, and trunk may often be of a darker shade of ginger than the flanks and other, more ventral parts of the body below them. The ginger coat usually has pale buff markings over/behind the shoulders (angel wings) and usually includes lighter shadings on the underside, chest, and throat, sometimes being nearly white on the throat. The muzzle may also have pale buff or white along the sides and underneath the lower jaw. Some white on the toes and feet is common and is not to be penalized. Some dark sabling over the back, loins and tail in a ginger dog is permissible. Dogs less than two years of age may have dark muzzles, but this is not required. In addition to ginger coats, the following coats/patterns are permitted: solid black, with or without minor white markings; black and tan (may have buff or red accents), and piebald. Ticking is permitted only on white socks and feet. Ticking is not permitted throughout the body of the dog. A few gray hairs from age or injury may be allowed, especially on the muzzle. Disqualifying Faults: Albinism. White collars, white eye patches. Merle/roan/mottling/dappling, blue/grey, brown/liver coat color. Diluted coat colors. Ticking on a dog’s body. (Note: ticking is permitted on white socks and feet.) GAIT AND MOVEMENT : Gait is low, free moving, effortless, and smooth. There is a suggestion of flexibility in the back, as would be expected for a medium-sized sighthound capable of a double-suspension gallop. The dog should appear athletic. A long, extended foreleg reach as in a Basenji is acceptable. TEMPERAMENT: A generally shy and suspicious nature is often characteristic of this breed, but excessive fear and aggression or resistance to examination is not
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