Page 47 - JRT Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

Interestingly, on radiographic examination or a slight arch or crest at the top just behind the ears
close palpation, all dogs of all breeds have a dip at (i.e., nape) and then the neck should flow down with
the 11th thoracic vertebra arising from a change a slight arch and merge smoothly into the withers.
in the orientation of the vertebral spines at this The neck should conform to the balance of the dog. It
position (Fig 14). So, in a smooth-coated dog, this should be strong without being heavy. A swan neck
might be seen, but should not be penalized. or ewe neck is also undesirable.

Often, dogs with an incorrect upright shoulder Summary
and/or straight upper arm will have a topline The two descriptors used most often in the
that slopes down from the withers to the tail. In AKC breed standard for the Russell Terrier
addition, dogs with an incorrect over-angulated are ‘rectangular’ and ‘balanced’. Although the
rear may have a back that slopes backwards. standard does not specify numerical ratios for
The topline can also slope in the opposite the desired proportions that go into forming the
direction, mostly seen during movement in an rectangular silhouette, we get insights into a
unbalanced dog. template for the breed by combining a study of
basic biomechanical principles with key aspects
in the standard (Fig 15).
Using the breed standard and biomechanic
principles to create the beginnings of a
blueprint for the balanced, rectangular Despite attempts at defining the perfect dog,
silhouette of the Russel Terrier there will never be a mathematical equation for
describing the best silhouette for the Russell
Terrier (or at least I hope not), because part of
the process will remain an art.

“It takes both the left and right sides of the brain.
The right side is the creative, artistic side that sees
the beauty, the symmetry, and the nuances of the
breed. The left side interprets the standard in a
more intellectual, logical way.” Narelle Hammond

A breeder must understand and acknowledge the
science behind nature’s construct of animals and
apply relevant principles to their breed’s standard,
recognizing the responsibility in directing a breed’s
Fig 15
development to a ‘type’ that preserves intended
function and maintains our different breeds.
Neck

The neck is technically part of the topline of the Part one of this article focused primarily on
dog even though many breed standards use proportion and substance; part two focused
topline to refer to the back only. The backline and on the balance of the whole and the parts.
the neck together play an integral role in ‘type’ by Part 3 will review those aspects that direct the
forming much of the recognizable silhouette of character of the breed: the head, tail, expression,
the dog. and movement along with the remaining aspects
described in the breed standard for the Russell

…neck of sufficient length to allow the terrier’s Terrier.
mouth to extend beyond its forepaws when
working.

The neck should be approximately two-thirds the Previously published: https://digital.showsightmagazine.
com/view/443928/8/
length of the back. If it is set on correctly, there will be

A Worldwide Magazine for the Jack Russell Terrier / Russell Terrier • Issue 2/2023 | 47