When checking a dogs height, where do you measure to? I know where the withers are on horses, but on dogs it isn't so well defined. I am talking labs, so they are fairly straight backed. Can someone point me (and my tape measure) in the right direction.
Lorna

hi its the same as a horse top of shoulder or withers vertically to the ground by the forefoot
dogs 22-22.1/2 bitches 21 .1/2 22 inch

Unless it's "The Flower" then the height is nearer 24 inches! (We've got good water on top of this hill!!!)

Best wishes John

With horses, you have to lower the head before you measure height. I suppose it's the same with dogs, or you may gat the reading too high!

Jo and the casblaidd Flatcoats

I don't know if the rules are different here in the UK than in the US, but there is nothing in AKC regulations that states how a dog should be held for measuring, other than it should stand "naturally". One of the oldest handler's tricks in the books for measuring "in" dogs that have a height disqualification is to lower the head as much as possible and still allow it to be deemed as 'standing naturally.' In essence, this means holding the dog's head forward so that it is level with its shoulders (all in the guise of 'steadying' the dog for measurement). **winking** Of course, for those dog's who are fractionally below the measurement, it helps to bring the head up as much as possible.

So, yeppers, lowering the head will effect the overall measurement.