Page 41 - JRT Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

The majority of dogs breeds are vertically
balanced in approximate thirds
Quotes from the AKC breed
standard of the Russell
Terrier are shown in bold
italics throughout. Photos
of dogs used in this article
are not meant to represent
the ideal. Rather, the
photos are used instead
of skeletal drawings to
demonstrate anatomic
landmarks in the live dog. Fig 1

This vertical balance is not specifically mentioned
in the Russell Terrier standard, but it can be
assumed since the standard states that the chest
depth is to equal the leg length and the neck is to
be long enough to reach beyond the forelegs. This
Balance results in 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 for vertical balance.
The overall dog must present a balanced image
with no one part exaggerated over another. The next type of balance is one that is specified
…sturdily built yet balanced dog… in the breed standard and this is the balance that
refers to the symmetry between the forequarters
Balance is the part of the standard that tends to and hindquarters. This is horizontal balance.
get abused most often when fads begin to take
over a breed, and breeders who get too focused Angles are equal and balanced front to rear.
on one aspect can lose perspective of the overall
dog. The same thing can happen with judges The length and angle of the scapula (shoulder
who, perhaps, recall only a few specific lines of blade) and humerus (upper arm) should
the standard for a breed that is not their own, approximately equal those of the pelvis (hip) and
and so they fault-judge on those few areas. Then, upper thigh (Fig 2).
there are some who think that more is better. If
the standard calls for a low-set hock, some will Angles are equal and balanced front to rear
take it to the extreme and aim for that low-set approximately 90 degress
hock appearance even if it is at the sacrifice of Yerusalimsky's Postulate #2
a balanced upper and lower thigh. The Russell
Terrier must present a balanced image, pleasing
to the eye, without any one part exaggerated
so much so that your eye is immediately drawn
to that area. The Russell Terrier is balanced as a
whole and within its parts. It is balanced vertically,
horizontally, and in motion.

Vertical balance in most dog breeds follows the
“golden rule of thirds” of artistic balance. The
head and neck comprise one-third, the body one- Fig 2
third, and the limbs comprise one-third (Fig 1).

A Worldwide Magazine for the Jack Russell Terrier / Russell Terrier • Issue 2/2023 | 41