Anatomy with Bill Mooney and Jill Cronchey

We had a test; I got 2 wrong - one 'cos I didn't read the question (you'd think I'd know better by now), and the other I just couldn't answer with any degree of precision... so I feel like there's hope for me.

We watched a video of the Rachel Page Elliott program 'Dog Steps', on which the book of the same name is based. Following are my notes taken from this session. There was no homework this week, but I'm still learning the Canine Glossary of Terms.

Front angulation - the angles between the centre lines of the scapula, humerus and radius/ulna

Rear angulation - the angles between the centre lines of the pelvis, femur and tibia/fibula

Longer rear pasterns usually mean straighter rear angles

In general, feet should be placed in a vertical line just behind the withers

On a coated dog, when looking to determine head size look at the distance between the eyes and the distance between the ears. Make sure you are not looking at the cut and comb of the coat!

The judge is looking for

TYPE
BALANCE
SOUNDNESS

On a 'standard' dog the ideal angle for the scapula from horizontal is 30 degrees. Making the angle more obtuse gives a front more typical of the sighthounds (ie, built for speed), and more acute is typical of achondroplastic breeds (eg, corgi).

On a 'typical' dog the scapular spine lines up with the T2-3 vertebrae.

Front and rear joints should show similar angles.

Loose shoulder blades show alot of vertical motion during movement, and when gaiting the dog will have a 'jarring' action. Note that in the 'drop & creep' working breeds the scapula may extend above the withers.

When observed from the front, a front that is dead straight with feet pointing forward will toe in on movement if this is the dog's natural stance.

Hackney action requires a steep front assembly.

Rear pasterns should NOT move in parallel when gaiting; hock problems often show up as excess rolling of the rear end.

Skipping action is commonly caused by patella luxation.

TYPE - If the dog shows the hallmarks of the breed, then it should be BALANCED with angles in the front and rear being similar, and so will be SOUND, and will move well.