The Long and Short of Dog Back Lengths: A Tale of Canine Confusion

Ever heard the phrase "long backed" and thought it was a compliment? Well, think again! In the world of dog breeding, "long backed" is about as welcome as a cat at a dog show. On the flip side, "short backed" is the golden ticket to canine fame. But why is this? Who decided that a dog's back length should be the subject of such intense scrutiny?

Let's dive into the history books. Back in 1901, Sir Lionel Jacob had some thoughts on the matter. He described the ideal dog body as having a slight arch at the loin and a back that should be longer than the height at the withers. Fast forward to today, and it seems breeders have taken this advice to heart—perhaps a bit too much. The quest for shorter and shorter backs has led to some interesting developments in the dog world.

Imagine this: breeders want a dog with a long, elegant neck. But there's a catch—the number of vertebrae in a dog's spine is fixed. So, to achieve the desired look, they have to shorten each vertebra. But you can't just shorten a few; it's an all-or-nothing deal. The result? Dogs with short backs and, you guessed it, short necks. It's like trying to fit a giraffe into a Mini Cooper.

But fear not, there's a solution! With the right combination of structural quirks and a generous amount of fur, you can create the illusion of a short back and a long neck. It's all about the angles, folks. Think of it as the canine version of Photoshop.

Now, picture two dogs. One has a well-angulated scapula, giving it a longer body and a shorter real back. The other has an upright shoulder and a tipped-up pelvis, creating the illusion of a long neck and short back. But here's the kicker—the second dog actually has a longer back than the first. It's like a magic trick, but with more fur and fewer rabbits.

So, which dog is better suited for life in the rugged mountains of Tibet? The one with the smooth, effortless gait, of course. This dog moves with grace, translating muscle power into forward motion. The other dog, with its upright shoulder and tipped-up pelvis, might struggle to hold its head up while moving. Its gait consists of smaller strides and a lot of wasted muscle power. It's like watching a dog try to dance the tango—entertaining, but not very efficient.

In the end, the Tibetan Dog was and still should be a rugged mountain animal fit for travel at high altitude over rough ground. To survive in Tibet requires more than just good looks. So, next time you're at a dog show, remember: it's not just about the illusion. It's about finding a dog that's fit for life in the Himalayas.