clues to show you the balance from a glance. They’re called the four equals and they define the profile: 1. The length of muzzle is equal to the length of back skull. 2. The total length of head is equal to the length of neck. 3. The height measured at the withers is equal to length mea- sure from point of shoulder to buttocks. 4. The bodymeasured fromwithers to elbows is equal to the distance from elbows to the floor. The profile should denote square- ness, balance, and a definite athletic appearance. Size can range from 8 1/2" to 11 1/2"—this allows for a considerable difference in size. However, look for the same qualities. An athletic ap- pearance displaying grace and agility in equal measure with strength and stamina. You should see this in all siz- es, smallest to the largest. Our pres- ent-day urban society doesn’t require our dogs to routinely rid vermin or Sporting dogs to put food on the table. We still want the form which comes from that function. A tip when you look at your line up: think about which formfollows function and thinkwhich ones could do the intended function. WALK THE LINE Now we walk the line and look at the unique, elegant heads; it’s one of the breed’s hallmarks that separates it from other breeds. Observe the grad- ual tapering, wedge-shaped head. The alert expression, full of interest and intelligent. The expression shows the Terrier influence. The wedge shape is soft, but never round-headed or apple-headed. The ears that contribute so much to the look are set high on the head, not coming off the side; erect, pointed, and an inverted V-shaped, showing the Fox Terrier and Manchester in- fluence and not the Chihuahua’s in head type. ON THE TABLE It’s time to go to the table to confirm what you have seen on the floor. It’s a short-coated breed with nothing to
On their website, they have a wonder- ful illustrated standard ( www.atftc. com/breed_std/ibsFlash/index.html ). My last challenge is for you to spend a little time to understand the stan- dard. Then tell me why you can’t be a star judging TFT. The breed needs your efforts. ABOUT THE AUTHOR In his dog career, Jon Rawleigh has owned and shown to their champion- ship, Danes, English Setters, English Cockers, and Bulldogs. He decided to retire from his teaching profession and turn to handling as a career. In that time period, he showed 76 differ- ent breeds to their championship. He showed dogs to Group Ones in all seven Groups and won BIS in four different Groups. He also was owner/handler of the top-winningEnglishCocker in 1981. Jon was also active in dog clubs. He served as President of Genesee Valley Kennel Club in Rochester, New York, served on the Board of Tonawanda Kennel Club in Tonawanda, NewYork, President of the Poodle Club of Okla- homa, and served on the Board of the Professional Handlers Association. He retired from handling and went to work for the AKC as an Executive Field Representative. Later on, he went into the AKC office as Assistant Vice President for Communications. He left AKC and went to work at Ono- frio Dog Shows as a Superintendent and Training Director. He retired from Onofrio to play golf, but ended up showing dogs again. Jon’s educa- tional activities included serving as a research associate at the National Institute for the Deaf at Rochester In- stitute of Technology. He studied cog- nitive learning styles involving media. He was requited to a Community Col- lege, to serve as the Department Head of a Media Center, where he developed programmed instruction and television instructional programs. Jon has previously served as Educa- tional Chair for the ATFTC.
hide. Check for bite. Remember, full dentition is preferred, but missing teeth are not to be faulted as long as the bite is scissors. Check coat tex - ture, testicles, and muscle. The stan- dard calls for a muscular body with a smooth, elegant outline. This can all be done with the lightest of touches. TFTs don’t like the unnecessary mas- sages andmallings so often seen. Veri- fy on the table; judge on the floor. Color comes in four varieties, with white be- ing basic to all of them. The body must be over 50% white or all white. Spots on the body match the main color of the head. Combinations are: • White, Black, and Tan Tricolor; • White, Chocolate, andTanTricolor; An athletic dog, capable of going-to- ground and chasing vermin, the TFT has to move with freedom and car- riage to carry out the task; not hack- ney or stilted, with good reach and drive, able to turn on a dime (or jump over aToy Poodle friend in full stride). Coming and going, look for double tracking with slight convergence at a trot. A smooth, graceful stride is not labored in any way. Head and tail are carried erect in a true Terrier fashion. The topline should always be straight and level, standing and in motion. MAKING YOUR PLACEMENTS • White and Tan; • White and Black. Blazes on heads cannot extend into eyes or ears, which would be a DQ. TIME TO MOVE As you look at the class again, time to reflect on which ones have the hall - marks of the breed. If the choice is hard, think aboutwhichone youwould take home to rid the vermin from your barn. If you have readmy ramblings to this point, thank you for your time. I hope, in some small way, it has helped. Or maybe it has given you some things to ponder. If you see me at a show and have questions, please ask me. I love talking about the Toy Fox Terrier. CHALLENGE The ATFTC has done a great job with their standard. It is clear and concise.
46 • T op N otch T oys , A pril 2022
Powered by FlippingBook