Long legged Terriers
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.
Terrier Front
Compare the humerus pictured in colour of this long-legged terrier with that of the greyhound.
The accompanying diagram shows how the shortened humerus works bringing the elbow forward of the deepest part of the ribcage. So when lying in the confines of a tunnel, the elbow clears the lower line of the chest, the sternum so it does not impede the dog's digging ability.
This terrier front construction is a requirement of the long legged terrier breeds listed below:
- Airedale Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth and Wire Coat)
- Irish Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lakeland Terrier
- Manchester Terrier
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
Comparisons between 3 of these Terriers:
These 3 Terriers are directly compared here because although they appear alike, they are different not only in origin but in several other respects. So it is important to respect their differences.
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Terrier |
Fox Terrier (Wire) |
Welsh Terrier |
Lakeland Terrier |
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Background |
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Head Proportions |
Little difference in length between skull and foreface |
Medium length from stop to end of nose. Jaws rather deep. |
Length of head from stop to tip of nose not exceeding that from occiput to stop |
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Ears |
Top line of folded ears well above level of skull (Button Ears) |
Set in fairly high and carried forward close to cheek |
Set neither too high or too low on head |
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Chest |
Deep not broad |
Good depth and moderate width |
Chest reasonably narrow |
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Body Proportions |
Back short |
Back short |
Back moderately short |
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Height and Weight |
Dogs not exceeding 15.5 inches at shoulder, bitches slightly less. Ideally 18 lbs. |
Not exceeding 15.5 inches at shoulder. 20 - 21 lbs. |
Not exceeding 14.5 inches at shoulder. Dogs 17 lbs, bitches 15 lbs. |
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Colour |
White predominates with black, black and tan or tan markings |
Black and tan or black grizzle and tan |
Black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver blue or black |
