Dogs In Review Magazine October 2016 | Page 99

It is acceptable for a chocolate dog, like this white and chocolate AHT, to have a lighter eye color. Blue and blue fawns may also have lighter eyes. However, AHTs of other colors should have dark brown eyes. Rose ears, flying ears, erect ears with the sides curved inward forming a tulip petal shape and non-matching ear carriages are to be faulted. Disqualification: Hanging ears. IV. Neck, Body and Topline The neck is clean, moderately long, smoothly muscled, slightly arched and tapers slightly from the shoulders to the head, blending smoothly into well laid back shoulders. Body — The body is slightly longer than tall. Length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should approximately equal one-half of the dog’s height. The loin is moderately short, slightly arched, and muscular, with moderate tuck-up, and the croup is slightly sloping. Ribs extend well back and are well sprung out from the spine, forming a broad, strong back, then curving down and inward to form a deep body. Brisket extends to or just below the elbow. The chest between the forelegs is well filled and of moderate width when viewed from the front. The forechest extends in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs when viewed from the side. Topline — The line of the back is strong and level when the dog is standing or moving. The tail comes off the end of the croup, almost reaches hock and is thick at the base, tapering toward the tip. The tail is held upward in a slight curve when the dog is alert and may be carried out behind the dog or up in a slight curve when the dog is in motion. The tail on the hairless variety should never be docked. Tail docking on the coated variety is permitted and optional. Bent tail, ring tail or curled tail are to be faulted. Disqualification: Bobtail or docked tail on the hairless variety. V. Forequarters Shoulder blades are well laid back with the upper tips fairly close together at the withers. The upper arm appears equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins at an apparent right angle. Shoulders are smoothly muscled, and the elbows are close to the body. Forelegs are straight and strong when viewed from any angle and sturdy in bone. Pasterns are strong, short, and nearly vertical. Feet — Feet are slightly oval in shape and compact. The two middle toes are slightly longer than the other toes. Toes may be well split up, but the foot is not flat or splayed. Removal of front dewclaws is optional, but rear dewclaws must be removed. Flat feet, splayed feet or rear dewclaws present are to be faulted. VI. Hindquarters The hindquarters are muscular. Upper and lower thighs being approximately equal in length. Angulation of the hindquarters and forequarters are in balance with each other. Stifles are wellbent, and the hocks are well let down. The short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground, and when viewed from the rear they are parallel to one another. CONTINUED ON PAGE 100 96 DOGSinREVIEW.com