Page 45 - JRT Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

This gets us closer to defining a blueprint for This front is a key differentiator for the Russell Terrier
the Russell Terrier, moving from concepts into a from the Fox Terrier because it affects the overall
mathematical model as Yerusalimsky attempted silhouette. The prosternum in the Russell should be
to define. Although these ratios allow us to draw obvious, with it clearly evident in front of the point of
an image, we must always remember the advice the shoulder (Fig 13).
from Mr. W.J. Rasbridge:

“A dog cannot be judged with a ruler and Fig 13
protractor. The only measure to apply is the eye
and that must have behind it a mind backed by
experience and knowledge of the breed and free
from all preconceptions and irrelevant prejudices.”

Forequarters

As was mentioned previously, balance must
exist not only for the whole but within the parts The forechest is created by the manubrium
(tip of the sternum) being positioned clearly in
of the dog. front of the point of the shoulder joint (star)

The upper arm should be equal or nearly equal to
the length of the scapula, forming an approximate …elbows are set under the body, with the sternum
90-degree angle. clearly in front of the point of the shoulder.

Balance should exist between the bones Even though it is the Fox Terrier breed standard
comprising the forelimb. The length of the that mentions “standing like a cleverly made, short-
humerus (upper arm) should approximate that of backed hunter”, I would argue that the Russell
the scapula (shoulder blade) in the Russell Terrier. Terrier, and not the Fox Terrier, is a better match. We
Ideally, we want a well laid-back shoulder blade want a nice length of upper arm in Thoroughbred
of a good length meeting up at an approximate hunters, with a sternum clearly in front of the point
90° angle with a long upper arm that links to the of the shoulder.
elbow, setting the vertical part of the forelimb
back under the body of the dog. This description However, do not make the mistake of thinking
means that the Russell Terrier should not have the that an obvious fore chest means that a dog has
traditional ‘terrier front’ or J-front, as is seen in the a correct shoulder. A dog with an upright scapula
Fox Terrier (Fig 12). may have a long upper arm and, thus, an obvious
fore chest but it is incorrect. The lack of layback of
the shoulder affects the dog’s movement, and the
The Terrier Front, J-Front or Fish-hook front dog’s neck will appear shorter and the back longer,
of the Fox Terrier both due to the vertical orientation of the scapula.

The breed standard for the Russell Terrier does
not specify a number for the layback of the
scapula and that is probably best. Many books
and breed standards talk about a 45-degree angle
off the vertical for scapular layback, but they
provide no objective substantiation. More recently,
cineradiographic imaging studies have identified a
30-degree angle as more accurate. In any case, a
preference for an approximate 90-degree angle of
Fig 12 the shoulder blade with the upper arm should be the
sought-after conformation for the Russell Terrier.

A Worldwide Magazine for the Jack Russell Terrier / Russell Terrier • Issue 2/2023 | 45