Form Follows FUNCTION A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CANINE FRONT SHOULDER ASSEMBLY, PART 2 BY STEPHANIE HEDGEPATH
I n the average dog, the shoulder blade (scapula) is described as “well laid back” at about a 45-degree angle to the ground, and is laid against the upper front section of the chest (thorax) (A) with the lower forward part of the scapula at about the first rib or frontal opening of the chest (B). (See Figure 1.) The 90-degree angle formed by the shoulder joint enables the dog to stand well over its forelimbs due to the return of an upper arm of the correct length to the elbow, which in the average dog is set in a line under the withers. (See Figure 2.) This article continues our discussion from the previous issue of the fore assembly of the dog.
pictured above, from left: Figure 1. 45° Shoulder Layback; Figure 2. Elbow Set in Line Under Withers
130 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2020
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