JUDGING MANCHESTER TERRIERS By Rodney (Rod) Herner
I would like to give you an insight into what a judge should look for as the Manchester Terriers (both Toy and Standard, as judges are approved for both varieties simultaneously) walk into the ring. The judge is required to compare each exhibit to the descrip- tion of the Standard of Perfection that was put together by the National club. The closer the dog comes to this description, the better the chance for winning. The judge’s first view of the dog, as it enters the ring, is the overall outline. All breeds have a distinct outline, or silhouette, which should be read- ily recognized as an important breed characteristic. Judges’ first impres - sions are formed when that outline is viewed. These impressions can be lasting. The outline of the Manchester Terri- er should appear to be sleek, but stur- dily constructed, with adequate bone density that is not overdone, so that an appearance of elegance is portrayed. The outline should not appear to be that of a square breed, but rather one that should measure a greater dis- tance from point of shoulder to ischi- um than from the highest point of the withers to the ground. The head should be rather long, well-filled, and with a strong under - jaw. Ears should appear to be erect, cropped, or button, depending on the variety of the Manchester.
The chest should reach to the elbows, with a curving arch reaching to the abdomen, giving a graceful, elegant look to the outline. The front legs, which should appear to be the same length, elbow to ground, as the dis- tance from elbow to withers, should be set well-under the dog, with ad- equate bone. The rear legs should be carried well-back, with muscu- lar upper and lower thighs equal in length. The stifle should appear well-turned and hocks are well-let- down. Feet should be examined on the table. The line from the neck to the tail should also be graceful, with the slightly arched neck blending smooth- ly into sloping shoulders. The topline should show a slight rise over the loin. The rise should be above the lumbar vertebrae. If the rise is over the tho- racic vertebrae, it is too far forward and would be considered a roached topline. The topline ends with a slightly sloping croup that flows into the tail set. The tail should be carried in a slight upward curve, but not over the back. These are the features that go into creating the “Manchester Terrier Silhouette” that the judge is looking for, even before the first step is taken. Once that first step is taken, the dog’s movement will validate the correct or incorrect angulation and muscula- ture of the entry.
What is needed to achieve correct Manchester Terrier gait? The stan- dard calls for gait that is free and ef- fortless. Several things are required to attain this. First and foremost, Manchesters should be gaited on a loose lead. Stringing the dog up, trying to cor- rect a gait fault, never results in free movement. In order to get good reach of the fore- quarters, without an incorrect hack- ney or goosestep gate, the shoulder blade and upper arm must be equal in length. With the shoulders well-laid- back, ideal angulation of these bones would put the elbow directly under the withers. When the humerus is shorter than the scapula, a condition that is present in many breeds today, the front stride is shortened and the swing of the upper arm is restricted, resulting in shorter steps. Likewise, in the rear, inadequate angulation (bend of stifle) would prevent the strong driving power needed to match the front reach. During movement, the judge will also look for head carriage that is up and out, the slight rise over the loin must be evident, and the tail should be car- ried in a slight upward curve but never over the back. So, before the dog even gets on the ta- ble, all of the above should have been noted. Some judges prefer to place the dog on the table first thing. I feel it is
T op N otch T oys , J uly 2022 • 49
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