A dog's withers: where it is and how to measure it

Where is the withers located in dogs?

Monitoring the development of a young dog or puppy based on physical characteristics involves determining body parameters and the ratio to the standards prescribed in the breed characteristics. The basic fundamental parameter that must be adhered to is the height of the dog’s withers.

The withers are the highest point located on the spine between the two shoulder blades. The easiest way to see a dog's withers is when it is in a calm state.

It is worth understanding that in different breeds of dogs, the location of the withers may vary. But in absolutely everyone it is located between the bones of the girdle of the forelimbs.

If the withers of a pet are not clearly marked, this may indicate a developmental disorder. Problems of the musculoskeletal system can manifest themselves in curvature of the spine and sagging of the back.

The withers should be well-muscled, wide and developed, since it is with it that the movements of the cervical vertebrae and forelimbs are associated. In addition, measuring a dog's height helps determine the maximum jump height when competing between other dogs.

It is especially important to know where the dog’s withers are for those owners who, for some reason, are forced to vaccinate the animal themselves. In addition, products to protect against parasites - fleas and ticks - are also applied to the withers. This place on the animal’s body is optimal for carrying out such manipulations, since in this place there is a cluster of many blood vessels.

Excellent microcirculation and increased body temperature at the withers allow medications to be perfectly absorbed. But in the withers area there are unusually few nerve endings. Reduced sensitivity prevents the dog from experiencing particular discomfort when a syringe needle is inserted under the skin. The place of the withers does not allow the animal to reach the shoulder blades and the dog cannot lick off the applied antiparasitic agent.

Why do you need to measure the height of the withers?

The height of the withers is a significant parameter. Each of the four hundred dog breeds has its own standards. Dogs must comply with them if they participate in exhibitions and competitions. Animals within the same breed are also distinguished by the height of the scruff. Thus, dwarf, small and royal poodles differ in height at the withers.

Where did dogs come from on earth: history

Dog handlers know that the height at the withers is like a certificate of a dog’s physical characteristics. The proportions of the animal depend on the parameter - height corresponds to the length of the legs, torso (extension index), and the massiveness of the animal.

The scruff of the neck shows what jump height can potentially be achieved with this proportion. This is necessary in agility competitions. How hardy and developed the dog is is also indicated by this parameter. All other things being equal, the dog with the highest withers is recognized as the winner of competitions and exhibitions.

Important! The height of the dog at the withers gives complete information about the physical characteristics of the animal.

But the height at the withers is needed not only to represent the physiological characteristics. The size of the animal is taken into account when building a dog house. The withers are measured for other reasons.

Clothing and ammunition

Northern breeds (huskies, huskies, Moscow watchdogs) do not need a wardrobe; they are warmed by their own thick undercoat. But short-legged, hairless, decorative indoor dogs, aging dogs and nursing bitches need additional protection in cold weather.

Strong and hardy hunting breeds have thin skin to dissipate heat when they chase game for long periods of time. But outside on a walk they get cold - they pick out clothes for them. The need for overalls, hats and shoes for four-legged animals is justified. But they sew clothes according to measurements - the height of the nape and the circumference of the chest.

The harness is also selected. The collar can be adjusted to fit any size dog, but a tight harness simply won’t fit on a large dog. This equipment should ideally match the chest and withers of the pet, which is especially important for sled dogs. The carrier for transporting dogs in a car is also selected according to the height of the withers, not the head.

Dog in a harness

Vaccination

The concentration of muscles and blood vessels make the withers the best place for injections for your pet. Many intramuscular injections are placed in the scruff of the neck. Soft skin facilitates the penetration of the syringe needle, and the medicine quickly reaches the desired organ through the blood stream. During the action, the dog will not bite the hand of the veterinarian who is giving the injection.

Note! Parasites also like to live on the withers - they are not afraid of the owner's teeth. When animals are checked for fleas and ticks, they start at the withers.

The highest point on your pet's back allows you to carry him safely. In the dog’s subconscious, this is recorded as a maternal grip, so they do not resist if they are carried by the scruff of the neck.

Carrying a dog

Dogs live next to people. They are walked, taken to the veterinarian, and travel with them by car, train, or plane. In these cases, carriers are used for convenience.

Soft bags, backpacks, and slings are often used. It is understood that the owners carry the darling on their arms and back for short distances. This is possible with representatives of small breeds. Boxes are designed for large individuals. It is impossible to travel on public transport without carrying a carrier.

If the bag can be selected by eye, then for a plastic box or metal cage, the exact parameters of the animal are taken - the height at the withers. Inside the “house” the dogs lie, turn around, and survey the surroundings. Manufacturers equip carriers with fastenings for car seat belts and travel drinking bowls. The owners lay rugs on the floor. The main thing is that the temporary home is suitable in size for the pet.

Determination of development norm

The development of a puppy is determined not only by weight, chest and paw circumference, but also by the withers. The organ is already pronounced by the age of two months. If it is lower than the owner’s croup, this is a deviation in physical development. Such a dog is shown to a specialist who will understand the problem and give recommendations. The skeleton is finally formed by the age of two to three years of a pet’s life.

How to measure a dog's withers

How to take measurements correctly

The height of the animal in the area of ​​the withers is measured directly from the highest point between the shoulder blades to the end of the forelimb. Measurements are taken using a special ruler. If you don’t have a measuring device, you can make such a measuring ruler yourself.

Note! In order to measure the height of your four-legged friend as accurately as possible, you need to bring him onto a hard, flat surface. It is advisable to take measurements at the same time, before eating.

There are rules for uniform measurements for all dog breeds. They are as follows:

• Each measurement must be carried out with a special instrument. Violation of this rule causes different results. Dimensions at the withers are taken by professionals using a special hard measuring stick. At home, dog breeders often use flexible tape or tape measure. This causes the difference in results to be of the order of 1.5 – 3.5 cm (when measured with a tailor’s meter, the height is greater).
• Measurements are taken several times, and the interval between measurements is 1-2 minutes. From the results obtained, an average number is isolated, which is considered the final measurement.
• When taking measurements, the animal must be in a special exhibition stand.
• The device for taking measurements should fit tightly to the animal’s body, pressing the fur. But pressing into the skin is not acceptable. In dog breeds with long hair, the hair is removed from the withers area.

The method of placing a flat object on the withers will help to correctly determine the highest point on the dog’s back A book or any flat object should be positioned parallel to a hard surface. It is noteworthy that the growth of the animal undergoes changes if dogs of different breeds were bred when receiving the puppies. In dogs that do not have a breed, their growth can be large or, on the contrary, small. In purebred dogs, the height at the withers must correspond to the established breed standards.

When to correctly determine the location of the withers

The height of the withers is a necessary parameter for dogs. It is measured at various exhibitions and competitions. The indicator is also necessary in other cases.

When applying flea drops

Many antiparasitic drugs are applied to the withers. Since this is the highest point of the body, the animal cannot reach it on its own, and the risk of toxic substances entering the body is eliminated.

Insecticides are slowly absorbed through the pores of the skin on the nape of the neck, which reduces their side effects. The presence of blood vessels under the skin facilitates the distribution of the active substance throughout the body through the bloodstream.

When giving injections

The skin here is elastic, does not have increased sensitivity, and bundles of blood vessels connect here. 90% of all veterinary drugs are administered to dogs in this place: the procedure is painless, the drugs quickly enter the bloodstream.

It is quite difficult for a tailed friend to bite a veterinarian’s hand when he is holding him by the scruff of the neck.

To control the growth and development of your pet

All dog breeds meet certain standards. The adult puppy is measured to determine if he is developing properly.

Any deviations from the norm indicate diseases and a lack of nutrients in the diet.

Problems with the spine, curvature of the back, and developmental defects are determined after measuring height.

For accessories

Growth is an important parameter that you cannot do without.

A collar, harness, warm clothes, veterinary collar, and carrier are chosen based on this indicator. If their size does not correspond to the animal, then the pet will experience discomfort and the skin will chafe.

A large collar or collar is also useless: the dog can break free at any moment.

At exhibitions and competitions

If the dog belongs to the show class species, all its dimensions must correspond to the generally accepted exterior of the breed. Any deviations are not considered the norm; such an individual may be rejected and will not be allowed to breed.

In sports dogs participating in competitions, the potential jump height is determined by the height at the withers.

Measurements when purchasing a harness

It is best to take measurements using a meter used for sewing clothes. Such a measuring object is convenient because it can be used to take measurements of the dog’s neck and other parts of the body. Measurements for purchasing a special dog harness should be taken so that the sewing meter does not sag.

Harnesses for non-sled dogs have 3 measurements:

• from the point of the withers to the tail;
• measurement of the sternum at the widest point behind the forelimbs;
• neck volume.

Harnesses used for riding purposes have 2 main points:

• length from the highest point on the withers to the base of the sternum between the forelimbs;
• length from the very base of the sternum to the base of the tail.

Taking measurements to purchase a riding harness must be very accurate. This is due to the fact that during the ride, the dog should not be disturbed or rubbed by anything. A human palm must pass between the harness and the animal's body . This is a necessary measure to prevent restriction of movement.

If the measurements are taken incorrectly, the harness may begin to press and the dog will feel discomfort. As a result, prolonged use of an incorrectly selected harness leads to spinal disorders in the dog, and its spine will begin to deform. The components of the harness should not cause discomfort to the dog; the rivets and fasteners must be very strong, since during active movements they can come off, digging into the animal’s skin.

Correct measurement of a dog's height at the withers

How to correctly measure a dog's height? It is important for every four-legged owner to learn how to carry out the procedure. It’s not difficult to do it yourself, you just need to figure out a few things. What you should know before measuring - small pets are measured on the table, large ones on the floor, do not feed beforehand and arm yourself with a meter and two straight sticks.

Algorithms for measuring dog height:

1. Place one stick on the pet’s back, attach the second one vertically to it, towards the floor. Make a mark on a vertical stick and measure the height using a meter.
2. Using a simple tape measure, you can measure like this: attach the end to the space between the shoulder blades and stretch it to the floor, mark the readings on paper.

Note! An assistant may be needed during the procedure. He will distract the dog, hold its tail so that it stands still.

Measurements for purchasing a carrier

The use of special carriers is necessary when transporting an animal to a veterinarian, for walks or travel by transport. In carriers, dogs worry less and do not get their limbs dirty.

Before taking measurements, you need to determine which carrier is suitable for the dog and will also be comfortable for the owner. The fact is that even if the dimensions of the transport basket are correct, the pet may not be comfortable being inside. The dog must be able to change the position of the body in the carrier if necessary . Before choosing sizes, you need to know the weight of the dog and choose a basket that will support it. In addition, it is extremely important to choose the length and height of the carrier. To do this, you need to calculate the length and height of the dog at the withers. Height is measured by the distance from the highest point between the shoulder blades to the end of the forelimbs.

It is important to note that dog measurements across the European continent and the United States have their own characteristics and differences. So, in European dog breeding associations, the height of the withers is measured at the highest point between the shoulder blades, but in America, the height is measured at the top point of the shoulder blade itself.

Height of dogs of different breeds

Breeds range from decorative pocket dogs to specimens weighing more than 100 kg. Pets are classified according to their character, thickness and color of fur, popularity, and height. They are distinguished by purpose: protector, guide, hunter, cattle dog. The breeder can choose the pet according to his preference.

The withers are an important part of a dog's body. Located between the shoulder blades below the cervical vertebrae. The height of animals is measured at the height of the withers. The indicator is needed to determine the physical development of the pet, compliance with breed standards, to select clothes and harnesses. According to the height of the scruff, they buy dog ​​carriers and build kennels.

Rules followed when measuring a dog

To carry out accurate measurements, the help of a person with whom the dog can easily communicate is important. The assistant holds the animal, and the owner makes the calculations.

Measuring device

Dog handlers recommend using a special device - a height meter. If you don't have one, you will need a ruler (measuring tape), a level and a pencil.

Industrial height meters are equipped with a level and a clamp; their readings are more accurate.

At home, you can make a stadiometer yourself. To do this, take 2 wooden slats 3 cm wide, the length of one should be 25 cm, and the other 5 cm. They are glued together so that they form a right angle or the letter “G”.

A measuring tape is glued along the 5-centimeter strip, and a weight is hung on its end for convenience.

How to find the average

The dog is called, the assistant fixes it in one position. The long part of the stadiometer is placed on the dog’s withers; the short strip with the measuring tape is located along the body. The device must be positioned strictly vertically.

Measurements are carried out 3 or 4 times, this result is considered correct. During a one-time measurement, a slight deflection of the dog’s pasterns can significantly distort the results.

The interval between measurements is 30 seconds or 1 minute. All indicators are added up and divided by the number of measurements taken.

For example: the height of the dog at the withers at the first measurement is 25 cm, at the second - 24, at the third - 24.5 cm. Calculations: (25+24+24.5): 3=24.5.

Stand as a prerequisite

The dog's height is measured in a calm, standing position. The floor surface must be flat and hard. The dog's paws are straight, but not tense.

Expert opinion

Panteleeva Irina Petrovna

Breeder, 11 years experience.

Young, active individuals are gradually accustomed to the procedure: they must behave calmly. The dog is fixed in the exhibition stand.

Correct application of measuring instruments

The most accurate results are shown by a professional stadiometer, but dog breeders do not always have one.

In its absence, measurements are made as follows:

1. The pet is placed on a flat surface and fixed.
2. Determine the location of the withers.
3. Place a book, construction meter, level or any other flat object on top of the blades.
4. Using a measuring tape or ruler, measure the height of the pet from the scruff of the neck to the floor.

Important! The tool must be strictly straight (it is better to use a plastic or metal ruler).

There should be no soft coverings, baseboards, or protrusions on the floor.