JUDGING AUSTRALIAN TERRIERS
By Jane Tenor
W hen you see an Australian Terrier in the ring ready to be judged, you should see an alert, spirited and self assured terrier that is small, sturdy, either blue & tan, red or sandy, with a long, strong head covered with a soft, silky topknot. Ears are pricked, neck long and slightly arched, backline level, and tail docked. Th e body should be long in com- parison to the back: the additional length is formed by correct angles of front with prom- inent forechest, and the rear which extends behind the tail forming a well rounded butt. Th e front legs are set well under the body.
With the dog on the table, look for a keen, intelligent expression. Notice the soft silky topknot, protective ru ff and apron. Th ese are distinctive characteristics of the Aussie. Th e topknot covers the skull and is silver or a lighter shade than the rest of the head. Th e ru ff frames the head and blends down into the apron. Th e eyes are dark brown to black, small, and oval shaped. Th ey should be set at a slightly oblique angle, well apart, with fi ll between and below them. Narrow black rims surround the eyes. Th e following are incorrect: lack of pigmentation, liver colored pigmentation, and excessive (too wide) black rims. “Faults: Light-colored or protruding eyes.”*
Th e small and pointed ears are set on high and well apart. Th is sounds like a contradic- tion in terms but is not. If the outer edge of the ear is vertical or if the sides form part of an equilateral triangle, the point of the ear should be directly above the outer corner of the eye. Th e ears should not fl air o ff to the side or be set too close together. Aussies are sensitive in the use of their ears. A con fi dent, alert Aussie may lay his ears back when you approach, this is a friendly gesture. If the dog doesn’t respond to your attempt to get it to raise its ears, try again when the dog is on the ground. Some respond to sound, others to hand movement. When gaiting, the dog may turn its ears to the side so they don’t catch the breeze.
182 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , F EBRUARY 2014
Powered by FlippingBook