FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
The ideal length/height ratio is 1.8:1 when measuring from the point of the breast bone (prosternum) to the rear of the hip (ischial tuberosity) and measuring from the ground to the point of the withers. Ideally, dogs should be from 30 to 38 pounds; bitches from 25 to 34 pounds. Lack of overall balance, oversized or undersized are serious faults.” As a dwarf breed, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a normal-sized head and body, but shortened limbs. The breed is decid- edly rectangular in profile. Length is mea- sured from the breastbone (prosternum) (“A” on Figure 4) to the rear of the hip/ ischial tuberosity or pin bone (“B” on Figure 4). The height is from the highest point of the withers (“C” on Figure 4) to the ground (“D” on Figure 4). Using these landmarks to measure, the Cardigan is nearly twice as long as it is tall. Therefore, the measurement landmarks for the Cardi- gan Welsh Corgi are the breastbone (pro- sternum), the ischial tuberosity (pin bone), and the withers. What I am trying to point out with these illustrations is that the landmarks used to measure the height and length of a dog can vary from breed to breed. The height is measured in the same way, no matter the breed, by using a wicket. The point (landmark) at which the measure- ment is determined can vary somewhat, as we have seen in the examples given, depending upon the point at which the height is to be determined. A fixed point gives a far more accurate measurement. The fixed point in this case, the wither, is composed of the first three to four tho- racic vertebrae along with muscle and coat. To be even more specific, it is the spine of the vertebrae that serves as this particu- lar landmark. A correctly placed shoul- der blade results in a wither that blends smoothly into the back. The (highest) point of the shoulder blade (scapula) is also used in a few of the Herding breeds as the uppermost measurement for height in the Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Nor- wegian Buhund, and Shetland Sheepdog. Unfortunately, the shoulder blade can be attached to the thorax in differing posi- tions, from well-laid-back (approximately a 45-degree angle to the ground) to more upright positions, which may also be moved forward on the thorax; therefore, not a fixed point. All other Herding breeds use the fixed point of the highest part of the withers for the measurement of height. In Part Two, I will discuss how to find and palpate the landmarks used when going over a dog.
Please note that the landmarks to determine the length of the Sheltie are the shoulder joint, also called the point of shoulder (“A” on Figure 1) to the ischium, also called the pin bone (“B” on Figure 1) and from the top of the shoulder blades (“C” on Figure 1) to the ground (“D” on Figure 1). The shoulder joint is the joint formed where the shoulder blade (scapula) meets the upper arm (humerus). It is con- sidered to be a fixed point on the dog’s body. Unfortunately, the shoulder blade is not a fixed point—if the dog is more upright in shoulder, the topmost part of the shoulder blade is moved forward, mak- ing the dog measure longer. When mea- suring a dog, one usually uses the highest point of the withers, which is composed of the first nine thoracic vertebrae and is a fixed point. The highest point of the with- ers is usually one of the first four thoracic vertebrae. Therefore, the measurement landmarks for the Shetland Sheepdog are the shoulder joint, the pin bone, and the top of the shoulder blade. Here is another of the Herding breeds: “Size, Proportion, Substance: Size - The preferred height for males is 20 to 23 inches, females 18 to 21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size. Proportion - Mea- suring from the breastbone to rear of thigh and from top of the withers to the ground the Aus- tralian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall.” On the Australian Shepherd, the mea- surement is from the breastbone (proster- num) (“A” on Figure 2) to the rear of the thigh (“B” on Figure 2), which is com- monly referred to as the pin bone or sci- entifically as the ischiatic tuberosity. The breastbone (prosternum) projects forward of the shoulder joint or point of shoulder and is a fixed point, as is the pin bone in the rear. The height of the dog is measured from the top of the withers (“C” on Figure 2) to the ground (“D” on Figure 2). There- fore, the measurement landmarks for the Australian Shepherd are the breastbone, the pin bone, and the withers. What we can see in comparing these two breeds is that even though they use different points of reference, they basically have the same proportions in both: slightly longer than tall. A Herding breed with a different shape is the Old English Sheepdog: “Size, Proportion, Substance: Type, character and balance are of greater impor- tance and are on no account to be sacrificed to size alone. Size - Height (measured from top of withers to the ground), Dogs: 22 inch- es (55.8 centimeters) and upward. Bitches: 21 inches (53.3 centimeters) and upward.
Figure 2. Australian Shepherd Proportion Measurements
Figure 3. Old English Sheepdog Proportion Measurements
Figure 4. Cardigan Welsh Corgi Proportion Measurements
Proportion - Length (measured from point of shoulder to point of ischium (tuberosity) practically the same as the height. Absolutely free from legginess or weaselness. Substance - Well muscled with plenty of bone.” The Old English Sheepdog is a square dog. The measurement landmarks are the wither (“C” on Figure 3), the point of the shoulder, at the shoulder joint, (“A” on Fig- ure 3), and the ischium tuberosity or pin bone (“B” on Figure 3). The measurement is “practically the same,” and therefore, square. So, the measurement landmarks for the Old English Sheepdog are the point of shoulder to the end of the ischium (pin bone), and the withers. Let us now look at another breed with a totally different outline, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi: “Size, Proportion, Substance: Overall balance is more important than absolute size. Dogs and bitches should be from 10.5 to 12.5 inches at the withers when standing naturally.
68 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2022
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