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The length of the body from the point of the breast bone,
in a straight line to the buttocks, is greater than the
height at the withers, as 10 is to 9.
The topline is level, back strong with ribs well sprung
and carried well back with the loins broad, strong and
muscular and the flanks deep. The dog is strongly coupled.
The cattle dog is required to be able turn quickly away
from danger, therefore a dog that is too short or too
long in body lacks the ability to work effectively. Unfortunately
far to many dogs are being bred too short in body which
does not give the flexibility to turn quickly thus restricts
movement. The dog should be 10% longer than high
The cattle dog is NOT a square dog. Must be well ribbed
back with a deep and powerful chest allowing for plenty
of lung and heart room for maximum endurance. Proportions
should be 2/3 ribcage and 1/3 loin. Deep, broad and muscular
loins with deep flanks coupled together with balanced
strong forequarters and powerful hindquarters. When viewed
from above the well muscled shoulders and loins should
be in a straight line with a clearly defined waistline
with very little tuck up. The topline should be level
with a straight back. The standard is not looking for
a table top and a dog that is strongly coupled and fit
will often have a very slight rise over the loin which
is purely musculation This should never be confused with
a "roach" topline.
Kaleski writes "The legs are clean, because a hairy-legged
dog becomes weighted with mud on soft roads and soon tires.
Fair amount of bone to carry a fairly heavy body. If too
light in bone he is top-heavy. Great muscular development,
because without it he lacks the driving power to do the
work; hence he is useless. Back is straight, because a
hollow-backed dog is always weak in the loins, and hence
cannot drop or come back quickly enough when biting. Ribs
are well-sprung or "casky" which denotes a strong,
hardy constitution; "well-ribbed up" means that
the last rib is close to the hip, thus enabling the dog
to turn and twist his body easily"
The height at the withers should be Dogs 46-51cms (approx
18-20ins) Bitches 43-48cms (approx 17-19ins). Dogs or
bitches over or under these specified sizes should be
penalised. As there is a good range of 51mm or 2 inches
allowable for dogs and bitches, examples over or under
desirable heights should be penalised.
Kaleski writes "Height of about twenty inches has
been found by experience to be the best height for working
purposes. They work well in all heights, but do not stand
the constant work like the dog of around twenty inches;
just as the medium-sized man is always the best for constant
work, as against a big or a little one. Bitches of course
should always be a little finer and smaller than the dog".
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