Spanning: Procedure and Size Comparisons

The following photographs show:

  • 2 very different hand sizes (a ladies size 6 and a ladies size 9 which is approximately equivalent to an average man’s hand in length of hand and length of fingers),
  • 2 plastic soft drink bottles for comparison purposes—a 2 liter and a 3 liter bottle, and
  • 2 terriers with vastly different chest sizes.
Although the round soft drink bottles are not representative of the proper chest shape or feel of a Jack Russell Terrier, they are representative of actual circumferences that are spannable and borderline spannable. Any chest larger than a 3 liter soft drink bottle is considered to be questionable.

 

The photo above shows a comparison
between a ladies size 6 hand and a size 9 hand.
 
Circumference of 2 liter bottle 14”



Size 6 ladies hand spans 2 liter
14” circumference bottle

Note: middle fingers touch as they would
underneath a dog’s chest, thumbs almost touch.


Size 9 ladies hand spans 2 liter
14” circumference bottle

Note: middle fingers touch as they would underneath
a dog’s chest, thumbs overlap.


The visual comparison of a span is whether thumbs touch, do not touch or by the amount of overlap of thumbs. This is the only method of spanning that allows for the visual comparison of one terrier’s chest to another.


Note: Size 6 hands can ALMOST span a 14 inch circumference whereas Size 9 hands can EASILY overlap a 14 inch circumference


Back Next

© 2004, Liz McKinney.
You are welcome to use this material for educational, non-profit purposes, but you must ask and receive written permission from the authors to use contents. The material must be used WITH proper acknowledgment of its source including the URL for this website, and the name of the author of this document.

Many thanks to Donna Motter for her help with photos and her support in putting this spanning guide together. Donna was a true terrier woman, worked her terriers in the hunt field and encouraged others to do the same.