FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
pictured far left: Figure 10. Brachiocephalicus Muscle pictured left: Figure 11. Correct Length of Neck on a Pointer
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DOGS WITH CORRECT LENGTH OF NECK USUALLY HAVE WELL LAID-BACK SHOULDER BLADES. A short-necked dog is often one that has an upright shoulder assembly, with the shoulder blade placed
forward on the body. ”
the body in front of the shoulder blade instead of flowing smoothly into the withers. The front of the neck arches out (convex curve) instead of a slight, graceful curve inward, following the arch of the neck and then leading down to the prosternum. Dogs with correct length of neck usually have well laid-back shoulder blades (see Figure 10). A short-necked dog is often one that has an upright shoulder assembly, with the shoulder blade placed forward on the body. This tends to cover up the lower part of the neck and gives the dog a stuffy appear- ance with a shorter appearing length of neck showing between the head and the shoulder blade. The short neck hinders the dog in that there is less area for muscle attachment. The short-necked dog also has a tendency to lower its head [when] in motion in order to attain reach (see Figure 13). A too long neck (swan neck), as well as a stovepipe neck, has some of the same problems as a ewe neck in that the circumference of the base of the neck is approximately the same as at the throatlatch at the top of the neck. A long, thin, arched neck is often termed a goose neck or a swan neck (see Figure 14). A neck that is too long is usually lacking in strength and spoils the profile of the dog. A stovepipe neck is joined to the body rather abruptly forming nearly a right angle at the juncture. The resulting weakened neck muscles—in all of these aberrations—often leads to injury. Finally, we come to those breeds that call for a very muscular, heavy, thick, and sometimes short neck (often termed a “Bull” neck) as found on the “Bully” breeds as well as on the Bulldog, French Bulldog and Pug. This neck is required of a dog that had to have more neck strength in order to control livestock or kill vermin. [Although] a fault in other breeds, it is a virtue in the breeds mentioned (see Figure 5). In summary, the neck can be compared to the boom of a crane. The neck (crane) can be raised, lowered, extended, retracted and swerved laterally by muscles that originate in the area of the withers and have ends on the vari- ous spires of the cervical vertebrae. Overlapping long muscles also originate on the upper neck and fasten themselves onto the upper arms to carry or lift them for forward reach, and also to provide the lift and stretching necessary for movement of the head. The junction of the first two cervical vertebrae, the Atlas (#1) and the Axis (#2), is similar to a ball and socket joint that allows for more flexible motion (up-and-down, laterally, plus rotation) of the head. The area between the second (Axis) and third cervical vertebrae is called the “pole” and this is where there is a noticeable change in the curvature of the neck. Therefore, the answer to the initial question is “Yes.” The neck of any dog is comprised of seven cervical vertebrae. However, because the individual cervical vertebrae can differ in length, there can be a wide difference in the length of neck from breed to breed. Even a giraffe has seven cervical vertebrae (though they are very elongated), the same number found in human necks. As always, any comments or to schedule a seminar, please contact me at jimanie@welshcorgi.com .
pictured top to bottom: Figure 12. Ewe Neck, Figure 13. Short Neck, and Figure 14. Swan Neck
124 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2020
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