How To Measure Your Staffords

by **Steve** Mon Oct 01 2012, 20:09

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Measure

Your Staffords

How To Measure Your Staffords

All recognized breeds of dogs have official Standards - a word picture of the ideal dog of that breed. A Standard includes such things as acceptable colors, structure and size. The Staffordshire bull terrier acceptable heights - 36-41 cms (14 to 16 ins)

How does one accurately measure a dog? The height in all cases is taken with the dog standing on a level surface, his front feet directly under him, his hind feet in the accepted show stack position for the breed. If a dog is measured officially at a show, a U-shaped wicket is used. Both legs of the wicket are placed flat on the ground, and a moveable bar is adjusted to fit firmly on top of the withers. (See illustration below.)

Well, it’s a little like measuring your kids as they grow, but in the case of dogs, it pays to be a bit more accurate. You’ll need a level surface adjoining a blank wall, a carpenter’s level, a pencil and a metal measuring tape or a stick. You also need a helper unless your dog is perfectly trained to hold a stand-stay. Have your helper position the dog so it is in the above position, with the dog's head level. Place the carpenter’s level across the withers, letting it rest on the bone, one end at the wall. Move the ends of the level until the bubble is exactly in the center of the level indicator, then use your pencil to mark the wall underneath the level where it touches the wall. Move your dog away from the wall and measure the distance from the mark to the floor. If you have been careful - and honest - you now have an accurate measurement of your dog’s height. Other methods, such as running a tape measure from the shoulder to the floor, or measuring without the use of a level, give rise to some of the bizarre claims for giant Pyrs.

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Steve

A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions