FRONTS:
I will try and explain
this as simply as
possible. We have the
illusive 90 Degree
angle, what does that
mean? It means that
when you take your
hand and go from the
point of the elbow -
follow the upper arm
to the sternum - (go
look this up in your
Sheltie Talk (yellow
copy please) you
should have the same
length as when you
then go from the
sternum along the
shoulder blade to the
highest point.
If
these two angles are
equal you have a
beautiful front -
illusive - but when
you have an
opportunity to really
‘feel’ it you will
be thrilled.
Most
often we have a short
upper arm. Why? Could
be due to the
Pomeranians behind our
Shelties as they have
a short upper arm for
a reason, beautiful in
Pom’s, as they have
a very different build
which enables them to
throw there heads back
to create that
beautiful round
appearance from the
side, but not
beautiful in Shelties.
Short
upper arms, have
straight shoulders, as
the shoulder blade is
much longer and more
upright than the upper
arm . The upper arm is
also at an incorrect
angle and too short,
when we see these dogs
in side profile they
appear to stand over
the front legs, in
actual fact Shelties
are to stand forward
of there front legs,
never on top of them.
When
you view the correct
front from a side
profile, the head and
ears are ahead of the
front legs, the
straighter the front
the further the head
well be set back
behind the front legs,
plus the head carriage
is totally incorrect
when the Sheltie is
moving. Long necks and
straight fronts seem
to go together, they
look dramatic, but
very incorrect.
Remember the Standard
calls for everything
in moderation, and
nothing in
exaggeration. When you
set up a baby puppy
NEVER correct the
front, always let it
fall where it
naturally wants to be,
do not fool yourself
by CORRECTING the
stance. When viewed
from the front the
look should be the
letter “H”, legs
in a straight line
with width in the
chest (that is the bar
in the H) and elbows
tight against the
body. Remember dogs
carry 70% of there
weight on the front.
Feet
are to be OVAL,
REMEMBER A CAT FOOT IS
A FAULT.
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