For any breed that has a size disqualification, the judge may, at his or her discretion, ask to measure the dog. (Some breeds have weight limits, and they actually have little scales that can be brought to the ring to weigh dogs that are of questionable size!)
It happens during the individual exam. The judge goes over the dog, and, if s/he suspects that the dog is over or undersized, the judge asks the steward for the wicket. The judge informs the handler that the dog is going to be measured. The judge measures the wicket to set it, while the handler watches as proof that the wicket is the correct height. The handler is allowed to stack the dog - the judge may not reposition the dog - and the measurement cannot begin until the handler gives the go-ahead. The judge feels for the withers to make sure s/he drops the wicket at the right place.
Now, the moment of truth! Everyone holds their breath, and the judge sets the wicket onto the dog. If both legs stand on the surface of the table, the dog is in! You might even get some applause from ringside, because a measurement is always a bit of an event.
If the wicket-legs swing (and I've seen dogs measure out so badly that you can see daylight under the legs from across the ring), the dog is disqualified and excused from the ring. The measure-out goes into the dog's file, and after three DQ measure-outs the dog can no longer be shown. There are ways to "help" a tall dog shrink when he's measured (for heaven's sakes, it's not the time to get him "up" and standing proud on the table!) but if the dog is genuinely oversized, there's only so much that handling can do.
Is the procedure similar in the UK?
Thanks for the explanation on the measuring. We don't have a height disqualification, only an ideal height (14" bitches, 14.5" dogs) and over an inch either side is "highly undesirable". The same "highly undesirable" wording is also given in reference to smooth coated dogs, mis-marked and incorrect movement (pacing, plaiting, rolling or stiff, stilted, up and down). Now while I've never seen a smooth sheltie or one with white patches (in the ring) I've certainly seen dogs standing well over 15.5" and sadly many with faulty movement. So the brush dosn't really apply equally to all faults. Because there is no disqualification for height, shelties are never measured in the show ring. I think some breeds are still weighed (though this is becoming contraversial.)
In the UK at least (I can't speak for Europe) there are exactly the same issues with getting correct sized shelties, but ours probably give an illusion of being shorter as they are finer boned. Personally I think some are too fine.
I really like Diva as for me (used to UK type) she looks just about spot on for substance, I hadn't realised she was only 13.5 ". I really hope young Porter stops growing too as it would be such a shame to have to place him now.
