Just a quick little lesson on structure, as I think the novice breeder will enjoy this little hint.

 

I learned a little trick on how to judge a dogs movement with this simple little lesson. If you think of the first line as the front leg to the shoulder then the second line from the shoulder to the foot on the off side, and the third line as the rear assembly and the forth line as drive from the back foot you can  "imagine" reach and drive - interesting?  This also shows balance and a level back. This simple little lesson does not show the rise over the loin or a well defined croup or a low tail set but the picture of Ch Forever Silk Tassel does. The tighter you make the letter “M” the less reach and drive, you will end up with a balanced dog but never a mover and shaker.

 I drew this on the sand at a show for my friend and her daughter, mind you they new nothing about “TYPE” but both picked the same four dogs in the group, and in actual fact picked number one. A Texan was sitting next to my friends when I was drawing this, and he said, in that wonderful drawl “Mam, I have never seen structure explained in such a simple form”. That was a very nice compliment.

 

This simple little drawing showing the correct angles front and rear also will show you how the head of a Sheltie should be carried, which is forward and slightly down, never straight up in the air - that tells you that the dog has a very straight front and will never have the open “M” for movement. We have also enclosed a picture of Ch (BIS) Forever Silk Tassel, pictured in the original ASSA Pictorial Standard - she was the example of correct side gate for the breed. Now you can look at Tassel and the open “M” drawing so that you can associate one with the other.