Judging a Terrier
Today's terrier breed standards were based on their specialized ability to dig. According to the prey the dog was hunting and the terrain in which he hunted, the construction of the dog was selected and evolved accordingly. This section enunciates how the terriers' construction has been adapted from a normally constructed dog, to one with this specialized digging ability.
Note the Bull Terrier breeds (Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier and Mini Bull Terrier) will be considered separately.
Terriers - a Functional Approach
Historically, Terriers were developed in the different areas of Great Britain. In many cases, the Terrier breed's name still reflects these areas. Alternatively, Terriers may be classified and studied by their function reflected by their leg length. For example, in this 1890's painting of a Bedlington and Dandie Dinmont Terrier, you can see how one breed became two based on differing leg lengths. There are also other examples.
Historical Function of Terriers
Terriers were first classified as such by Dame Juliana Berners in 1486 AD, calling them 'Teroures'. This wonderful French etching from around 1560 AD demonstrates that for centuries certain types of scent hounds which dug into tunnels and underground lairs to find and hunt prey that lived beneath the ground. These appeared to be long low-slung dogs with small chests.
Short legged normally built Terriers
When the ANKC Jack Russell breed standard was written just two decades ago, it recognised the problem of bowed front legs that plague many of our short legged terriers. So steps were taken to eliminate it by demanding in the breed standard that spanning a terrier was a requirement. Unfortunately, other short legged terriers in this section have no such measurement.
Short Legged Terriers with Deep Chests
This section explains the short legged construction of terriers whose chest extends beneath the elbows which are set above the line of the sternum. This allows the dog to bear his weight on his chest, leaving the legs free to dig sidewards. This construction is also handy should the dog need to retreat backwards away from the quarry, the long gradual slant of the sternum helping it to slide more easily over rocks and tree roots [1].
Long legged terriers are constructed to some degree, with a Terrier Front. That means the upper arm or humerus is somewhat shortened compared to the humerus of the hound. Remembering terrier breeders selected dogs whose function was to dig, this shortened humerus allows the elbows to work clear of the sides when the dog is digging, especially within the confines of a tunnel. This section concludes with a detailed comparison of three terriers which require special consideration.