GS rear legs. - Page 1

Hi everyone.  I have a question. 

If a dog is just relaxing is it normal for the rear feet to point outward?  I know there are people who stand or walk with their feet pointed outward and I know this does not affect the dogs intelligence but what is generally accepted?  What about in correct conformation? 

I see so many titled dogs and some have this look.  I would like to know why. 

I am Mr. don't know nothing so please no bashing.

And thanks,

OK, here's my take, but you don't have to believe me since I only care about working lines. The way I see it, Hocks in, toes out; puppy may be cow-hocked. It's just the physiology of it. Oh yeah, I'm not an anatomist either.... PLUS: just about all GSD puppies (including working lines) go through several ugly gangly phases as adolescents and teens. How old is the dog in question?

It shouldn't be generally accepted in my books Mike  (especially in the conformation ring), but it sure does seem to be common, along with easty westy front feet and a scad of other things.

So, to answer your question, it may be normal, but no, that is not correct conformation, in a mature dog.

VomMarischal:  No dog in question yet.   So am I right to think that a "correct structure" dog should be with straight legs and feet? 

I just don't want to look stupid without the right info.


Thanks,

I am the WORST person to ask unless you are interested in working lines......my dogs, even if they don't have Sch titles, definitely have straight rear legs and good feet. Somebody will correct me, hopefully, but according to the STANDARD, the hocks are not supposed to whack each other. Here are some GREAT illustrations:
www.shawlein.com/The_Standard/05_The_Hindquarters/The_Hindquarters.html

Hey guys:  OK;  it should not matter whether the dog is working lines or e/w show lines; or whatever;  correct conformation is correct conformation.  The rear legs or hocks should not be facing inward with toes outward;  neither should the front feet be facing in or outwards;  All should be facing straight forward when stacking the dog.  NOW;  the shepherds do go through some stages when they do not know where to put the rear hocks and their front feet;  but if all was there as an 8 week old puppy;  given the dog does not carry ANY extra weight and does NOT get extreme pressure put on them while exercising as a puppy;  if everything looked good as a puppy, hopefully everything should come back as an adult.  It is also EXTREMELY important that the dog be given the proper nutrition during his growth period into young adult hood;  meaning not too much protein.  Grow them up slowly and steadily and make damn sure you can feel those ribs at all times.  Nan

Ideally the dog should stand four square with all four feet pointing in the same direction.  Generally, the more angulation the dog has in the rear, the more likely he is to have weakness in the joints, and deviation from straight stance.  Slack front pasterns, which generally go along with over angulation, are more likely to adopt the east:west stance.

This trend can be seen more clearly on a breed basis.  Breeds that are less angulated eg many terrier breeds, rarely have cow hocks or E:W fronts.  It tend to follow, the more extreme the angulation, the more likely joint weakness is.

What's actually more important though, is how the dog moves.  A slight deviation in the stance isn't a major problem but if the dog moves with cow hocks or any other deviation from 'straight,' then energy efficiency will be compromised, with extra wear and tear on joints and soft tissue.

VM:  That is a great example.  Thank you.