Can someone please explain what Spring of rib means, and where abouts on the rib does it mean.
thank you.

Hi Guest, spring of rib is the roundness of the rib cage when veiwed from the top. It's something that comes with maurtity in most breeds. My own American Cocker showed more spring of rib after she had her litter. The opposite of well sprung ribs, is slab sided.

Dawn R.

As Nursey has said the degree of the curve, breeds differ in the amount of curve they should have and it is to some extent the feature that give a breed it's distinctive look. Can't think of a breed that should be 'slab-sided' that is having too little spring away from the spine, although there are a few who have very little. The other term that is often used is 'barrel-ribbed' and I am sure that is self explanatory.

The main thing is that the rib on a particular dog should be within the breed standard and that it is in balance with that animal.