Measuring Height

[fawnmolson]

Could someone tell me where to measure in order to determine my boy's height. I think it's to the "withers" right? but where exactly is that? Also, what is the range for standard males? For the standards of their muzzle to head ratio, do you measure the entire head including muzzle and the muzzle should be one third of that, or one third of just the head portion not including the muzzle? Thanks for help on clearing up my confusion!

 

[gmacleod]

Yes, it's ground to withers. The withers is that point at the top of the shoulder blades - where the back and neck meet. It is the most meaningful reference point because it doesn't move up and down with the dog's head

Here is a pictorial from the American boxer club to help you locate it: http://www.americanboxerclub.org/boxerst12.html
From the same site, information on head proportions: http://www.americanboxerclub.org/illstand3.html

 

[fawnmolson]

Thank you very much, those two links were very helpful, now I understand

 

[KrazyKoda]

I think my boxer is a dwarf! She's still so tiny and she is almost 9 months old. How tall should the average girl be at this age?

Thanks!

Kristie

 

[gmacleod]

Well, it's hard to say in terms of "average"... Just like people, dogs tend to grow at pretty variable rates - and how quickly one reaches a particular height doesn't have a lot of bearing on what the final height reached will be

Still, I would think that most dogs are going to be within 2-3 inches of their final height by 9 months. The correct height range for boxer bitches is between 21-23.5 inches, so if your girl is at least 18" tall, then she's probably nicely on track to being within the correct height range for this breed

 

[KrazyKoda]

Thank You!!