Terrier Guide

Judging the Terriers

UNDERSTANDING THE BREED STANDARDS

My Pal Joey - a Cairn Terrier puppy at his first show.

You be the Judge!

BY ROBERT COLE

Robert Cole beautifully illustrated a series of "You be the Judge!" articles on many of the terrier breed standards. These articles have proven to be very useful, for both the novice and the expert, in learning how to develop their eye while evaluationg dogs. These articles became the basis for the following book, "An Eye for a Dog" which includes sections on type, balance, proportions, features (including how to highlight or hide them), faults and illusions, and a very complete section on movement. This book is highly recommended for both exhibitors and judges.

Here is a brief extract from one of the You be the Judge! articles which aptly illustrates the depth of knowledge and understanding that Robert Cole possessed when it came to breed standards:

FIG 3, FIG 4, OR FIG 5?

The Am Staff's head is a major type characteristic. Of these three heads which one is correct?

Fig 5 can be ruled out because of the description in the Standard which reads, muzzle to fall away abruptly below eyes". Fig 5's muzzle is filled under the eyes in the manner of a good Bull Terrier's egg-shaped head and his eyes set on the sides of the head instead of more square to the front. The AST Standard asks for a "distinct stop" which ensures the eyes face straight forward in a wide skull.

It is a little more difficult to rule out head Fig 3 based on the official wording because his muzzle is of canine "medium length" and he does have "very pronounced cheek muscles" for a dog. Of the three he most resembles the head on Fig 1.

We can accept the belief of a number of breeders that the muzzle from nose to tip to the inner corner of the eye should measure 1/3 the total length of the head and rule out long muzzle Fig 3. As for what actually constitutes "very pronounced cheek muscles", I can do no better than to refer you to Fig 4's very pronounced cheek muscles. Also notice that the corner of the eye is level with the break between the skull and cheek.

Unofficially the correct head as represented by Fig 4 is twice as long as the skull is wide. The muzzle is 1/3 the total length of the head. I have used a blaze on the forehead to indicate how "distinct" the stop is and to convey the fall away under the eyes. Later when we look at the head in profile you will appreciate that the muzzle is deep through - 2/3 the depth of the head.

The Standard advises "no pink eyelids". A better word would be eyerims. Jacqueline Fraser author of The American Staffordshire Terrier, Denlinger, 1990, advises that, "Some breeders and judges give leeway here if the coat color around the eye is white." I could go with that except that the majority of Am Staff appear to have an attractive dark halo around each eye in addition to dark eyerims which may suggest a further distinctiveness and one that should be considered when the Standard is revised.

FCI Classifications

The FCI site is helpful in understanding the Terrier Group because FCI divides the Terrier Group (Group 3) into four sections:

• Section 1 - Large and medium sized Terriers
• Section 2 - Small sized Terriers
• Section 3 - Bull type Terriers
• Section 4 - Toy Terriers

and then further divide the sections by country of origin.

In addition to the Terriers comprising the AKC's Group 4, FCI includes Deutscher Jagdterrier (German Hunting Terrier) in Section 1, Nihon Teria (Japanese Terrier) and Cesky Teriér (Cesky Terrier) in Section 2, Australian Silky Terrier, English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) and Yorkshire Terrier in Section 4.

AKC Terrier Group

Of course, in North America, the AKC breed standards are the essential reference.