Above
are listed the Parts of the Dog. These are the same on all breeds, however, as
this is a Boxer Website, I have used a Boxer for example.
Most parts need no explanation, but a few are explained simply below.
Withers: The withers are the highest point of the shoulder, a dogs height is
measured at the withers. When they say a breed is 25 inches tall, they mean 25
inches measured at the withers.
Occiput: The occiput is the farthest back part of the skull, located between the
ears. In Boxer puppies, this is what the 'high domed' appearing part of the
skull is.
A SQUARE BREED
The
Boxer is a 'Square' breed. This means the dog is a shortbacked, square dog, as
compared to other breeds. Above is an illustration used as an example to
determine if a dog is square. Line "A" and Line "B" are
EQUAL in length.
The
boxer should be as tall at the withers as he is long from the point of the chest
to the rump. Lines "A" and "B" show where the dog should be
'equal' to determine if he/she is square. Often, line "A" is the
longer of the two, and if this is the case, the dog is NOT square. Line
"C" illustrates the depth of chest desired on a mature Boxer.
The
dogs chest should be HALF of the height of the dog at the withers. A dog who's
chest does NOT meet this halfway point, lacks depth of chest.