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THE CHEST .
"The CHEST should be broad when viewed from in front, and there should be great depth from the withers to brisket, so that the latter is nearer the ground than the belly. (The underline from the brisket to the belly should form a graceful upward curve.)
The BODY should be well rounded with a marked spring of rib.
The BACK should be short and strong. The back ribs deep. Slightly arched over the loin,
The SHOULDERS should be strong and muscular but without heaviness. The shoulder blades should be wide and flat and there should be a very pronounced backward slope from the bottom edge of the blade to the top edge. Behind the shoulders there should be no slackness or dip at the withers."
"The NECK should be very muscular, long, arched and clean, tapering from the shoulders to the head and it should be free of loose skin.
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Discussion
The overall impression of the Bull Terrier's body should be one of short-backed, well-knit strength with graceful lines. The topline should flow continuously from the base of the ears over a graceful neck, tying smoothly into the level withers and thence back to a slight rise over a muscular loin, finishing in a gentle curve over the croup to a low-set tailhead.
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A typy dog with a smooth athletic build. His neck, is well set on, his topline continuous with no pronounced dips or abrupt change in angle. A deep brisket and good tuck-up complete the lines of this shapely athlete. |
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A shapely bitch with graceful body lines. Her topline sweeps without a break from the neck over the withers with a slight arch over the croup, ending with a well set on tail. Her underline carries smoothly backward under her deep brisket, curving upward behind the rib cage to the belly.
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Discussion
A long, arched, tapering neck rising from a well angulated shoulder is a very pleasing feature and one which is a valued component of the overall balance and symmetry. A short, upright or "ewe"
neck caused by an upright shoulder breaks the topline which should give the impression of gentle integrated curves rather than abrupt changes in angles and direction.
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Discussion
A long, arched, tapering neck rising from a well angulated shoulder is a very pleasing feature and one which is a valued component of the overall balance and symmetry. A short, upright or "ewe"
neck caused by an upright shoulder breaks the topline which should give the impression of gentle integrated curves rather than abrupt changes in angles and direction.
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A straight shoulder with a badly set on neck rising from withers forward of a vertical line from the elbow. |
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Discussion
The rib cage can easily be assessed from a top view, the sides of the dog curving outwards to accommodate the well sprung ribs, and curving in behind the ribcage to make a discernible waist. Looking down on the dog can be helpful. This bitch demonstrates good spring of rib, the rib-line tapering to the waist behind the rib cage
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The Bull Terrier should be a combination of dense but smooth parts connected by graceful curves. Beware the heavy, ill-made animal who has a long, straight-cut body which lacks the graceful quality of the well-knit athlete. Also beware the individual who lacks substance and spring of rib.
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Lacking substance and spring of rib this dog is also upright in shoulder and high in the rear.
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A short neck, upright shoulder and long straight body contribute to this animal's lack of shape. |
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