Withers

The withers on a dog are the highest point of its shoulder blades, just behind the base of its neck.  The term “withers” refers to the area above a dog’s shoulder. This is a physical marker that is used by professionals when measuring a dog’s height from the ground.

By measuring from the ground to the withers, experts can get accurate measurements across breeds and individual dogs to differentiate them. The withers are an important landmark for identifying a dog’s height and can also be used to determine the proper saddle fit for working or sporting dogs [1]. It is important to note that the withers can vary in height and prominence between breeds and individual dogs.