Term |
Definition |
Alert |
Watchful; vigilant; ready, brisk, lively. (Webster) Back to top |
Backline |
That portion of the entire topline of a dog, beginning at the rear end of the withers and ending at the tail. (Spira) Back to top |
Banded hairs |
A type of hair evident only in the hard, wiry, outer coat. As the hair grows out it changes color so that the hair itself is multi-colored, usually starting with a black tip and changing to white and then to gray. Back to top |
Base of tail |
The beginning of the final portion of the spine that is composed of caudal or coccygeal vertebrae where the tail joins the sacral region near the end of the croup. (Spira) Back to top |
Bell (cropped ears) |
The outer portion (the side), near the base, of the ear after being cropped. Back to top |
Binding (front movement) |
The interference of the chest with the movement of the shoulder and upper arm. Back to top |
Bitch |
A female of the canine species. (Spira) Back to top |
Body |
The anatomical section between the fore- and hindquarters. It consists of the chest in front and the abdomen at the rear. The body's upper portion is made up of the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine. Below, it is enclosed by the sternum and muscular abdominal floor. (Spira) Back to top |
Body coat |
The coat growing on the areas of the body that is stripped. Back to top |
Body length |
The distance from the prosternum (anterior portion of the breadbone) to the posterior portion of the pelvic girdle. (AKC) Back to top |
Bowed hindquarters |
Hocks that turn out, causing the feet to toe in. (Barrel hocks) (AKC) Back to top |
Brisket |
Mostly taken as a synonym for breastbone or sternum. (Spira) Back to top |
Brown tinge |
A brownish color to black hair, usually caused by oxidation. Back to top |
Butterfly |
In the Salt & Pepper and Black & Silver Miniature Schnauzers, the normally light-colored area of the forechest above the front legs. Back to top |
Buttocks |
The muscular area surrounding the ischiatic tubers of the pelvis. Above, the buttocks merge into the croup, wilst below they blend with the upper thigh region. (AMSC note: Used for measuring the length of the body.) (Spira) Back to top |
Carried erect (tail) |
Carried upwards, perpendicular to the backline of the dog. Back to top |
Cat feet |
Round, compact foot with well-arched toes, tightly bunched or close-cupped, the two center toes being only slightly longer than those on the outside or inside. The impression left by such a foot is round, in contrast to oval. (Spira) Back to top |
Cheeky (head) |
Dogs with bulging, bumpy, or overdeveloped cheek muscles, at time in concert with coarse bone. (Spira) Back to top |
Chest |
The part of the body or trunk that is enclosed by the ribs; the thoracic cavity. (AKC) Back to top |
Clean (shoulders) |
Not prominent shoulders. Used to describe a set of shoulder blades sufficiently well covered with muscle on their outer surfaces as well as over the withers region to hide all bony prominences and yet not appear bulging. (Spira) Back to top |
Clippered |
Hair that is cut off with electric clipping shears is said to have been "clippered". Back to top |
Close (undercoat) |
A short undercoat, held tight to the body. Back to top |
Closely together (blades) |
The distance between the tips of the shoulder blades. Back to top |
Coarse (head) |
Usually a head broader than the ideal, its outline spoiled by excessive lumpy bone and/or muscle. (Spira) Back to top |
| Coarseness |
Applied to overall construction, and especially bone, head and/or muscle properties, meaning lack of refinement, heavier, plainer, larger or clumsier physique than desirable. (Spira) Back to top |
Coat |
The hairy outer covering of the skin. (Spira) Back to top |
Cow hocks |
Hocks turning in, accompanied by toeing out of the rear feet. (AKC) Back to top |
Cropped |
The surgical removal of a portion of the ear cartilage. The origin of ear cropping dates back to problems encountered by owners of working dogs in Europe in early times. Ear cropping was carried out …to prevent or at least to minimize injuries caused by fighting natural enemies preying upon flocks and herds and/or harsh working conditions. (Spira) Back to top |
Crossing (over) |
An abnormality of gait, seen in either fore- or hindquarter movement and at times, in both, in which the feet, when extended, cross over in front of one another as well as over an imaginary center line drawn under the body. (Spira) Back to top |
Deep (body) |
A lot of distance between the top and bottom (vertically) of the chest and loin (throughout the body). Back to top |
Deep (ribs) |
Depth of (ribs) chest is measured from the withers to the lowest point of the sternum. A deep chest refers to one that descends at least to the point of the elbow. (Spira) Back to top |
Disqualification |
An undesirable feature of a dog that makes it ineligible for any further competition under the standard for its breed. (AKC) Back to top |
Docked (tail) |
A tail from which a portion has been removed, usually by surgical means, at four to five days of age. (Spira) Back to top |
Dog |
A male dog; also collectively to designate both male and female. (AKC) Back to top |
Double (coat) |
An outer coat resistant to weather and protective against brush and brambles, together with an inner coat of softer hair for warmth and waterproofing. (AKC) Back to top |
Ear |
The auditory organ consisting of three regions: inner ear, middle ear, and the pinna (or leather), which is supported by cartilage and which affects the expression of all breeds. (AKC) Back to top |
Elbows |
The joint in the front leg where upper arm (humerus) meets the forearm (radius/ulna). (AKC) Back to top |
Eyebrows |
The skin and hair above the eyes, covering the projecting supercilliary ridges or supraorbital processes of the skull's frontal bones. (Spira) Back to top |
Feet |
The digits or toes, each consisting of three bones (phalanges) and a toenail or claw. The ventral surface is cushioned by pads of connective tissue. (AKC) Back to top |
Flank |
The side of the body between the last rib and the hip. (AKC) Back to top |
Flat (shoulders) |
Shoulders that are not bulging. Back to top |
Forechest |
A part of the chest assembly in front of the forelegs. (AKC) Back to top |
Foreface |
That portion of the skull in front of the brain case; also referred to as the muzzle. (Spira) Back to top |
Forehead |
The area on the top of the skull between the ears and from stop to occiput. Back to top |
Forelegs |
The front legs from the elbows to the feet. Back to top |
Forequarters |
The combined front assembly from its uppermost component, the shoulder blade, right down to the feet. (Spira) Back to top |
Furnishings |
The desirable abundance of coat at the extremities of some breeds. (AMSC note: the hair on the forelegs and hindlegs.) (Spira) Back to top |
Gait |
The pattern of footsteps at various rates of speed, each pattern distinguished by a particular rhythm or footfall. (AKC) Back to top |
Good bone |
The thickness of the leg bones. Not thin bones, nor heavy bone. Back to top |
Good reach |
A reference to the distance covered with each stride, i.e., a dog said to have plenty of reach is one with maximal stride length. (Spira) Back to top |
Hackney action |
A high lifting of the front feet accompanied by flexing of the wrist like that of a hackney horse. (AKC) Back to top |
Hard (coat) |
A coarse outer coat. The hairs should resist when being brushed backwards or bent. Back to top |
Head |
The frontmost part of the canine skeleton, joining at its base to the first cervical vertebra. The term 'head' is generally taken to include all the structures surrounding and incorporated within the bony framework of the skull. (Spira) Back to top |
Height |
Correctly measured as the distance from the withers to the ground when the animal is standing normally. (Spira) Back to top |
High on the skull |
High set ears: the origin of which is near the top of the skull, or at least above eye level. (Spira) Back to top |
Hindquarters |
The rear assembly of the dog (pelvis, thighs, hocks, pasterns and rear feet). (AKC) Back to top |
Hollow back |
A back that sags or is concave to some degree along its entire length. (Spira) Back to top |
Intense |
existing in a high degree; very strong. (Webster) Back to top |
Keen |
Sharp, cutting, piercing, penetrating. (Webster) Back to top |
Level bite |
When the front teeth (incisors) of the upper and lower jaws meet exactly edge to edge; pincher bite. (AKC) Back to top |
Loin |
The lumbar area, extending from the end of the rib cage to the start of the pelvis. (Spira) Back to top |
Long (upper arm) |
A condition where the length of the humerus (upper arm) from point of shoulder to elbow approximates the length of the shoulder blade (scapula) from point of shoulder to tip of blade. Back to top |
Maximum forward extension |
See Good Reach. Back to top |
Movement |
See Gait. Back to top |
Moving close |
From the rear, moving with the rear pasterns parallel but too close together. Back to top |
Muzzle |
That portion of the skull in front of the brain case, comprising the forward portions of both upper and lower jaws. (Spira) Back to top |
Neck |
That section of the body between the head and shoulder region, beginning at the nape and ending at the neck/shoulder junction or 'blend-in'. (Spira) Back to top |
Obedient |
Submissive to authority; yielding willingly to commands, orders or injunctions; performing what is required, or abstaining from that which is forbidden. (Webster) Back to top |
Open hocks |
Hocks that turn out, causing the feet to toe in. Also called barrel hocks. (AKC) Back to top |
Out at the elbows |
Under normal circumstances, a dog's elbows, when standing naturally, are in relatively close proximity to the adjoining chest wall, i.e., well held in, but not so tightly as to restrict movement. An animal in which one or both elbows drift some distance away from the chest wall is referred to as 'out in elbow or elbows'. (Spira) Back to top |
Outer coat |
In a double-coated dog, the longer, harsher coat as opposed to the short, dense, undercoat. Also known as topcoat. Back to top |
Oval |
An elliptical eyelid aperture appreciably longer than high, with contours and corners gently rounded rather than angular. (Spira) Back to top |
Overaggressive |
Too aggressive towards other dogs or people, uncontrollable. Back to top |
Overbuilt (hindquarters) |
An excess of muscle or fat over the croup and upper thighs so that the hindquarters appear higher than the withers. Back to top |
Overshot jaw |
A receding, often weakly constructed lower jaw. In this form of bite the lower incisors are situated some distance behind their upper counterparts; hence no physical contact takes place between their outer surfaces and the inner ones of the upper incisors. (Spira) Back to top |
Paddling in front |
A gaiting fault, so named for its similarity to the swing and dip of a canoeist's paddle. Pinching in at the elbows and shoulder joints causes the front legs to swing forward in a stiff outward arc. (AKC) Back to top |
Parallel |
Extending in the same direction and at the same distance apart at every point so as never to meet. (Webster) Back to top |
Pastern |
The metacarpus, i.e., the region between the carpus (wrist) above, and the digits (foot) below. (Spira) Back to top |
Perpendicularly |
Exactly upright; vertical; straight up or down. (Webster) Back to top |
Pickup of hocks |
At a trot, the distance the hock joint moves in moving the rear pastern and driving the body forward. Back to top |
Pinched front |
Also known as narrow front. Usually taken as a front in which the forearms, when seen head on, stand closer to one another than desirable. (Spira) Back to top |
Plucked |
Pulling the hair out of the hair follicle rather than cutting it off with scissors or clippers. This causes the new hairs to come in harsh and coarse which better protects the dog. Also called 'stripped'. Back to top |
Point of shoulder |
A joint in the forequarters formed by the articulation of the shoulder blade (scapula) and upper arm (humerus). Back to top |
Proportion |
The comparative relation between parts or things with respect to size, amount, quantity. A harmonius relationship between parts of things; balance or symmetry. (Webster) Back to top |
| Ranginess |
Tall, long in body, often lightly-framed and high on leg. (Spira) Back to top |
Reach |
A reference to the distance covered with each stride, i.e., a dog said to have plenty of reach or lots of reach is one with maximal stride length. (Spira) Back to top |
Rear pastern |
That section between the hock joint above and the foot below. Often incorrectly termed the 'hock'. (Spira) Back to top |
Ribs |
The series of flat, norrow, elongated bones forming the chest wall. (Spira) Back to top |
Roach back |
A back that is arched or convex to some degree and/or extent along the back, but does not include the loin area. (Spira) Back to top |
Robust |
Having or exhibiting sound health or great strength; strong; vigorous; also, strongly built, sturdy, muscular. (Webster) Back to top |
Scissored |
A portion of the dog's coat that has been cut using scissors. Back to top |
Scissors bite |
A bite in which the outer surfaces of the lower incisor teeth engage with the inner surfaces of the upper incisors when the mouth is shut. (Spira) Back to top |
Set high (tail) |
A tail set on at a level with the topline, i.e. without a marked drop of croup. (Spira) Back to top |
Short (body) |
Appearing short in total body length from prosternum to point of buttocks, due to a short loin and in comparison to the overall depth of the body and length of leg. Back to top |
Short (loin) |
The portion of the body from the last rib cage to the frontal point of the pelvis appearing to be a small portion of the total length of the body. Back to top |
Short (rear pastern) |
Rear pasterns constructed and angulated in such a manner that the distance from point of hock to ground is correct for the breed. Also known as 'well let down hocks'. (Spira) Back to top |
Shoulder blade |
A relatively large, flat, triangular bone, its highest part, the base, lying just a short distance below the levels of the first and second thoracic vertebral spines. (Spira) Back to top |
Shoulders |
The top section of the fore leg, extending from the withers above, to the elbow, including the upper arm. (Spira) Back to top |
Sickle hocks |
The inability to straighten the hock joint on the backward reach of the hind leg. Hocks that cannot be perpendicular to the ground when the dog is standing. (AKC) Back to top |
Sidegaiting |
When a dog moves with his body at an angle to the line of travel. Also referred to as sidewinding or crabbing. (AKC) Back to top |
Silky (furnishings) |
Furnishings that don't have a much body and lay flat. Back to top |
Single tracking |
In normal canine movement, irrespective of breed (but more readily observed in the taller varieties) the tendency is for the legs to incline more and more under the body as the speed increases. Eventually, the paws, as seen by their imprints, come to travel in a single line. (Spira) Back to top |
Skull |
The bony components of the head, including the brain case (also called topskull) and foreface. (Spira) Back to top |
Slanting (thighs) |
Correctly sloping thighs of a good length for efficient movement. Back to top |
Sloping (shoulders) |
Also known as 'well laid back shoulders'. A reference to shoulder blades, the longitudinal axes of which form an angle of approximately 45 ° with the horizontal and which, in consequence thereof, angulate at around 90 ° with their respective upper arms. (Spira) Back to top |
Solid White |
A coat or patch of coat with only all-white hairs. Back to top |
Spirited |
Full of spirit; lively; vigorous; energetic; animated. (Webster) Back to top |
Stifle |
A joint in the hind leg, formed by the articulation of upper and lower thighs. Also known as the knee joint. (Spira) Back to top |
Stop |
A depression or step down in the topline of the head, situated almost centrally between the eyes, at the junction of the frontal bones of the skull with those of the upper jaw. (Spira) Back to top |
Stripped |
Pulling the hair out of the hair follice rather than cutting it off with scissors or clippers. This causes the new hairs to come in harsh and coarse which better protects the dog. Also called 'plucked'. Back to top |
Strong drive |
Used to describe hindquarter propulsion. Dogs with powerful rear action are sometimes referred to as having 'plenty of drive'. (Spira) Back to top |
Sturdily (built) |
In a sturdy manner. Strong; vigorous; stout; hardy. (Webster) Back to top |
Substance |
Used in reference to bone, particularly leg bone, i.e., a dog with heavy substance is one well-developed in bone size, strength, and density as related to overall structure and strength. (Spira) Back to top |
Tail |
The tail is the final portion of the spine, composed of caudal or coccygeal vertebrae. (Spira) Back to top |
Tail set |
How the base of the tail sets on the rump; level tail set (level with the back), low tail set (goose rump; dip at base of tail). (Brown & Gilbert) Back to top |
Tail carriage |
The manner of tail deportment, it can be gay, dropped, horizontal, etc., according to the requirements of individual breed standards. (Spira) Back to top |
Temperament |
Frame of mind; disposition; nature. (Webster) Back to top |
Texture (coat) |
The harshness or softness of the coat. Back to top |
Thick (furnishings) |
Thick furnishings will stand out away from the legs. Back to top |
Thighs |
The anatomical region between the hip joint and the stifle below. The lower thigh is the muscular region between stifle and hock joints. (Spira) Back to top |
Throat |
The under portion of the neck, i.e., the opposite side to the crest, especially near the head junction. (Spira) Back to top |
Timid |
Easily frightened; lacking self-confidence; shy; timorous. (Webster) Back to top |
Toeing in |
Forefeet rotated in towards each other and the center line instead of being in direct continuation with the line of the pastern. It may take place when standing, moving or both. It may affect only the feet or involve the pastern also. (Spira) Back to top |
Too low (tail set) |
A tail arising from a sloping croup and/or from a point lower than the topline. (Spira) Back to top |
Too smooth and slick (coat) |
Like a smooth Dachshund. Back to top |
Too soft (coat) |
Very little texture to the coat. Each hair can be bend easily, and is not protective. Back to top |
Topcoat |
In a double-coated dog, the longer, harsher coat as opposed to the short, dense, undercoat. Also known as outer coat. Back to top |
Topline |
Normally taken as a dog's entire upper outline seen in profile, starting at the ears and ending at the tail. (Spira) Back to top |
Topskull |
The roof of the brain case of the skull. Also known as crown. (Spira) Back to top |
| Toyishness |
Fine-boned, without substance. Back to top |
Travel in the same planes |
When the front leg and rear leg on the same side follow each other so that front and rear footprints on each side of the dog are the same distance from the centerline of travel. In other words, the front legs, when parallel, must be the same distance apart as the rear legs when parallel. Back to top |
Trot |
A two-time gait, but of diagonal sequence, i.e. the right front foot and the left hind foot are on the ground at one time, while the left front foot and right rear foot are in the air. (Spira) Back to top |
Tucked up (flank) |
The appearance produced by the abdomen's underline as it sweeps upwards into the flank and/or hindquarters region. (Spira) (AMSC: the Miniature Schnauzer does not have a tucked up flank.) Back to top |
Unbanded hairs |
Composed of hairs of all one color - one uniform color per hair shaft. Back to top |
Uncropped |
A dog whose ears have not been cropped. Back to top |
Underbody |
The underline or bottom line; the line formed from behind the elbows along the brisket and belly or abdominal floor to the hindquarters; lower line of brisket and loin. (Brown & Gilbert) Back to top |
Undercoat |
In a double-coated dog, the short, soft, dense hairs that act as insulation. Back to top |
Undershot jaw |
An underjaw appreciably longer than the upper one resulting in a bite which the lower incisors erupt well in front of those in the upper jaw. (Spira) (AMSC note: in this context it also means a reverse scissors bite - one in which the lower jaw is somewhat longer than the upper one, causing the lower incisors to be positioned slightly in front of their upper counterparts.) Back to top |
Uniform skin pigmentation |
In the Miniature Schnauzer, some color to the skin, without patches of pink skin (where white hair would grow). Back to top |
Upper arm |
The humerus or that area from the point of shoulder to the elbow. Back to top |
Weak rear action |
On moving away, the muscles do not control the rear legs adequately and the hock joint or rear pastern tends to wobble. Back to top |
Well laid back (shoulders) |
A reference to shoulder blades, the longitudinal axes of which form an angle of approximately 45 ° with the horizontal and which, in consequence thereof, angulate at around 90 ° with their respective upper arms. (Spira) Back to top |
Well-arched neck |
A reference to well-developed neck muscles, particularly those responsible for the arch or crest on top. (Spira) Back to top |
Well-bent (stifle) |
Also known as well-angulated hindquarters. The angle formed by the longitudinal axes of the thigh bone (femur) and the lower thigh bones (tibia/fibula). The angle smaller the angle, the more well-bent. (Spira) Back to top |
Well-sprung (ribs) |
A reference to the shape of ribs after their emergency from their articulation with the thoracic vertebrae. Spring of rib has direct influence upon chest capacity. A dog with correct rib curvature and development is said to be 'well sprung'. (Spira) Back to top |
Whiskers |
The usually harsh, thick, and longish hair arising from the chin, from the sides of the face, or from a combination of both. Also known as 'beard'. (Spira) Back to top |
Wiry (coat) |
A harsh coat, where each individual hair shaft is thick and tough. In the Miniature Schnauzer, when running the hand with the direction of the coat, the individual hairs can be felt. Back to top |
Withers |
Anatomically, the region or union between the upper portion of the shoulder blade on the one hand and the spinous processes of the first and second thoracic vertebrae on the other. Topographically, the withers are located just behind the base of the neck at the neck/back junction; a significant area, as a dog's height is measured from this location. (Spira) Back to top |
