Page 66 - ShowSight - December 2019

MICHELLE SCOTT continued
I WAnT TO HAvE A COnvERSATIOn ABOUT WITHERS. The CKC definition for withers: "The peak of the dorsal vertebrae; the highest part of the body just behind the neck and between the shoulders." K-9 Structure & Terminology by Gilbert and Brown—"Withers. First nine dorsal or thoracic vertebrae; bony projections of ver- tebrae in the vicinity of shoulder blades; high- est point of the shoulders behind the neck." Spira's Canine Terminology "Withers. Anatomi- cally, the region of union between the upper portion of the shoulder blade on the one hand and the spinous process of the first and second thoracic vertebrae on the other. Topographi- cally, the withers are located just behind the base of the neck at the neck/back junction, a significant area, as a dog's height is measured from this location." The AKC Glossary says "Withers—Highest point of a dog's shoulder." The AKC's document on Measuring The withers run from the 1st to the 9th thoracic vertebra. Sometimes the withers are referred to as the upper tips of the scapula. Measuring Height— It’s The Same In All Breeds Withers: The highest point of the shoulders, right behind the base of the neck."
There's a lot of variation in those definitions! The only thing we can really ascertain is that we need to measure dogs at the highest point of the shoulder (blade) and it should be behind the neck.
I've seen dogs that have had the tips of their scapula buried in the muscles of their necks and dogs with short scapulas—the tips are well below the spinous processes ("bony projec- tions") of the spine— there is virtually no way we could measure those dogs using the tip of the shoulder blade as our guide.
My next thought,
though, is that with such
a variation in definition
of the word "withers",
when people were writ-
ing their breed standards
which definition of with-
ers were they using?
Regardless, we have to
assume the breed stan-
dard means the highest
point of the shoulder
when they say "withers", because that's, apparently, where the CKC and AKC want us to measure but I still find it interesting to ponder differing meanings and perspectives. Thoughts?
IT SAyS A LOT ABOUT US, as a society, that we can see that someone has made a mistake or error in judgement, and we're so quick to want to see them burn. Why do we feel the need and the right to cast judgement on someone else? Why don't we take a moment to see if they need help instead of further- ing their burdens? What happened to compassion?
Breathe, lend a hand, and be thankful. Happy Holidays to all! n 64 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
ANOTHER IN OUR SERIES OF PUPPY TO ADULT PHOTOS. I’M AMAZED AT HOW OUR READ- ERS LOVE THEM. (I DO, TOO!)
Thanks to Mary Ellen Jean Whyte for shar- ing pictures of her German Short-haired Pointer female.
8 weeks in the first picture, 8 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Head photos 8 weeks and 2 years.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle grew up with Irish Setters and bred Lake- land Terriers and Standard Poodles. She was a suc- cessful professional handler for many years and is now an all-breed conformation judge. Michelle en- joys gardening, reading, painting, and the culinary arts. She lives near Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Write to Michelle c/o editor@aramediagroup.com
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