The Scottish Government

Neck thin, all bones easily felt. Neck meets shoulder abruptly, shoulder bones felt easily, angular.

Dorsal spine of withers prominent and easily felt.

Ribs can be seen from a distance and felt with ease. Belly tucked up.

Backbone prominent, can feel dorsal and transverse processes easily.

Hip bones visible and felt easily (hock and pin bones). Little muscle cover. May be cavity under tail.

Some muscle development overlying bones. Slight step where neck meets shoulders.

Some cover over dorsal withers, spinous processes felt but not prominent.

Ribs not visible but can be felt with ease.

Dorsal and transverse processes felt with light pressure. Poor muscle development either side midline.

Poor muscle cover on hindquarters, hip bones felt with ease.

Good muscle development, bones felt under light cover of muscle/fat. Neck flows smoothly into shoulder, which is rounded.

Good cover of muscle/fat over dorsal spinous processes withers flow smoothly into back.

Ribs just covered by light layer of fat/muscle, ribs can be felt with light pressure. Belly firm with good muscle tone and flattish outline.

Cannot feel individual spinous or transverse processes. Muscle development either side of midline is good.

Good muscle cover in hindquarters, hip bones rounded in appearance, can be felt with light pressure.

Neck thick, crest hard, shoulder covered in even fat layer.

Withers broad, bones felt with firm pressure.

Ribs dorsally only felt with firm pressure, ventral ribs may be felt more easily. Belly over developed.

Can only feel dorsal and transverse processes with firm pressure. Slight crease along midline.

Hindquarters rounded, bones felt only with firm pressure. Fat deposits evenly placed.

Neck thick, crest bulging with fat and may fall to one side. Shoulder rounded and bulging with fat.

Withers broad, unable to feel bones.

Large, often uneven fat deposits covering dorsal and possibly ventral aspect of ribs. Ribs not palpable. Belly pendulous in depth and width.

Back broad, unable to feel spinous or transverse processes. Deep crease along midline bulging fat either side.

Cannot feel hip bones, fat may overhang either side of tail head, fat often uneven and bulging.