“A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE HEAD, NOT FOR AESTHETICS BUT FOR THE SAFETY AND FUNCTION OF THE DOGS STILL DOING THE JOB THEY WERE BRED TO DO.“
angle downward toward the nose. Th ere is a moderate but defined stop. Th e teeth meet in a scissor bite but bro- ken, missing or discolored by accident are not penalized. A great deal of importance has been given to the description of the head, not for aesthetics but for the safety and func- tion of the dogs still doing the job they were bred to do. Bulging eyes can be sub- ject to injury while working stock. Eyes too small could impair vision. Proper muzzle length is necessary in order to grip stock. Th e slightly oblique planes would help to allow a kick to glance o ff the head. Dogs in the field are subject to sunburn without proper pigmentation on the nose
and around the eyes. Lack of color on the nose should be faulted to the extent of deviation up to 50% at which time it becomes a disqualification. Th e Miniature American Shepherd is examined on the table. Th e overall struc- ture should give the impression of depth and strength without bulkiness. Th e loin is strong and broad when viewed from the top. Th e chest is full and deep, reaching to the elbow, with only a moderate tuck-up. As a breed with height disqualifications, it is important that we maintain balance with the elbow joint being equidistant from the ground to the withers. Measur- ing from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks and from the highest
13 inch & 17 inch. Both within size range.
274 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2015
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