standard refers to the length of back, measured from withers to set on of tail, not length of dog. The length of back is measured from the highest point of the withers to the base of the tail. I have seen mentioned in some discussions that the base of the tail “might” be behind the tail; I, per- sonally, do not feel this is correct for the Scottish Terrier standard. As mentioned earlier, because one uses the highest point of the withers to measure the length of back; a dog with a straighter shoulder would measure longer and taller than the dog with correct shoul- ders even though the two, with clever grooming, could appear very similar in stature. One must also realize when measuring the length of back, and the tail set is low, the measurement will also show a longer back as the measure- ment goes from the withers to the set on of tail. ANOTHER READERS’ CHAL- LENGE, MEASURING THEIR SCOTTISH TERRIERS Again, I challenge everyone to put their Scotties on the table and measure and note the results. If you have no measuring devices and/or no knowl- edge how to go about it, find a breeder of a breed who has a height DQ in their standard, and they would be able to help you through the process. On the figure below, please note the placement of the Point of Shoulder (No. 2), one of the points used earlier to measure the length of the dog. (This is not the length of back.) Even the previous proportion references worked as shown below. APPLYING THE CURRENT STANDARD’S MEASURE- MENT TO THE ACTUAL DOG The current standard calls for a back that is “approximately 11 inches” from withers to set on of tail. I have used the same drawings/ pictures shown before to illustrate this proportion. In the cur- rent standard, relationships in inches are only mentioned in height and length (withers to set on of tail). No measure- ment is made of head length, neck length, or overall body length. Typically, when measuring the length of back, one starts at the high- est point of the withers and measures back to the set on of tail. In this discus- sion, I have chosen to do the reverse because in drawings and photographs, the closest precise point is the appear- ance of the set on of tail. I shall measure backwards. The end result will show, if following the current standard’s mea- surement, where the “withers” should be. For a diagram of proper shoulder
Illustration 24: The original Scottish Terrier outline the author originally used in his educational materials. This outline appeared in the “Red Book”.
lllustration 25: This Scottish Terrier outline was Illustration 24 drawn to today’s current standard proportions.
“THE LENGTH OF BACK IS MEASURED FROM THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE WITHERS TO THE BASE OF THE TAIL. I HAVE SEEN MENTIONED IN SOME DISCUSSIONS THAT THE BASE OF THE TAIL MIGHT BE BEHIND THE TAIL.”
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2018 • 229
Powered by FlippingBook