A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AUSTRALIAN TERRIER PROPORTIONS
create the impression of forechest; therefore, by feeling, check that there is a forechest and not just hair giving the illusion of one. The same is true of the rear. There must be substance, not excessive hair behind and below the high-set tail. Well-developed buttocks will stop the hand from dropping directly down from the tail. Rear legs are well angulated at the stifle and hock joints. Rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground and are well let-down (not too high or too long). Excessive muscularity or lack of muscular development are standard faults, as are cobbiness or too long in loin. A well-developed forechest is necessary to protect the heart and lungs. From the point of the prosternum, the sternum curves down under the chest forming the keel . The well-sprung chest drops slightly below the elbows. The elbows lie close to the chest. The chest is not round or slab-sided. The shape and depth of chest are important breed characteristics. A dog that lacks a prominent forechest may have a long body. Straight shoulders and/or too long a loin (both undesirable) can incorrectly add to length. The length of the back is measured from the highest point of the withers to the front of the tail. Correct angulation of the scap- ula, length of ribbing, length of loin (short), and a tail set on high are all important elements of determining the correct length of back. A low set tail will also incorrectly increase the length of back. Remember, the back is only slightly longer than the dog is tall. The loin is short and strong. Too long a loin will weaken the back and may affect the dog’s gait, making it bouncy rather than smooth. Too short a loin will limit its agility and its ability to move in a ground-covering stride. When measuring the loin, four fingers will fit snugly between the last rib and the hindquarters. The prominent forechest forms a keel running down from the prosternum and curving under the chest from the prosternum to the last rib. The dog to the left has correct angles front and rear. Its height at the withers, length of back, and length of body are in correct proportions to each other. The head is long and strong with a slight stop. The skull and muzzle are of equal length. Jaws are powerful. The neck is long, slightly arched, strong, and flows smoothly into the shoulders. The
Although the ears of the young dog on the preceding page are a little large at this point, they will be less noticeable when his top- knot, ruff, and apron grow longer and fill out. A small ear is most desirable; a slightly larger ear is acceptable if it is in balance with the head and body. At this young age, you can see there is width between the legs that will allow his chest to drop and fill out as he grows. This puppy illustrates the correct structural proportions of the head, even at this young age. When looking at a mature Aussie, be aware that an abundance of coat and clever grooming can mask the lack of important ele- ments of correct breed type. Likewise, a lack of expertise in groom- ing can hide the dog’s virtues. Structural features are appraised by examining—feeling as well as seeing them! In the photo above of a mature dog’s head, the skull and muzzle are equal in length. The top-skull is flat and slightly longer than it is wide; cheeks are smooth and clean. The slight stop leads to the powerful muzzle. The chin does not recede. A soft, silky, light- colored topknot (a distinctive feature of the breed) covers the top of the skull. The head is long! In comparison to its height, the Body is long . Its length is mea- sured from the prosternum (the frontmost part of the forechest) to the ischium (rearmost part of the buttocks). Coat can be used to
The mature dog above has the correct proportions front and rear.
272 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2023
Powered by FlippingBook