FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
In the front feet, next comes the metacarpal bones, commonly referred to as the pastern. These bones serve to join the pastern joint (carpus joint) with the toes (digits) of the dog. There are four meta- carpal bones (five if the dewclaw is not removed), each leading to one of the toes. Of the four, the outer bones (leading to the two outside toes) are shorter than the two inner bones (leading to the two center toes). These metacarpal bones relate to the palm of the human hand—between the wrist and the fingers. The dog actually walks only on the toes/digits of its foot. (See Figure 2.) The carpal pads are found on the front feet, farther up the foot near the wrist or pastern joint. (See Figures 1 & 2.) They are of the same structure as the pads under the toes. The carpal pad comes into play on steep or slippery surfaces by helping the dog to retain its balance, It is also sometimes referred to as the “stopper pad,” working as a brake. This pad also serves to support the crouching/crawling dog (think Border Collie approaching livestock) as it moves over rough terrain. The metacarpal pads on the front feet (metatarsal on rear) are the largest pads on the foot and are located behind the pads of the toes. As with the toe pads, the metacarpal/metatarsal pads provide shock absorption and traction. The metatarsus of the rear is similar to the metacarpus of the front, except that it is longer. (See Figure 1.) As we move from the toes, up toward the foreleg, the carpal bones form the pastern joint (wrist). The pastern joint is a com- pound joint formed by the articulation of the seven carpal bones (stacked in two rows), with the radius and ulna bones of the fore- leg on the upper side of the pastern, and the metacarpal bones on the lower side. These seven bones form a compound joint that allows for a great deal of mobility and has a significant shock- absorbing capacity. This joint allows for the slope of the pastern and provides cushioning for the striking foot. The short bones of the carpus serve to diffuse concussion in the limbs as the bones experience pounding force when a dog runs or lands from a jump. (See Figure 2.) The tarsus, or hock joint on the rear legs, is similar to the pastern on the forelegs as it consists of seven bones arranged in two rows (three on top to articulate with the fibula and tibia bones, and four distal that articulate with the metatarsals of the rear foot). Foot conformation is directly related to the task the breed was developed to accomplish. A Cat Foot is compact, small, and round in shape. It is built for stability, endurance, and bearing great weight. The compact foot is easily picked up during forward movement, allowing a dog to conserve energy. The cat foot works well for dogs that have to move over uneven ground. Not surpris- ingly, it is found on most large Working breeds like the Dober- man Pinscher and the Newfoundland. (See Figure 3.) The Hare Foot has two elongated middle toes, and is formed for speed and quick changes of direction as well as for fast move- ment from a standstill. Dog breeds with hare feet include the Whippet and the Greyhound. The longer hare foot allows the foot to get a better grip on the ground when running straight ahead. (See figure 4.) Dogs with oval feet have slightly longer middle toes (shorter than the hare foot and longer than the cat foot) and are for the dog that must be able to endure, but also needs the added speed and jumping ability associated with the hare foot. The oval foot is found in breeds as diverse as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Basenji, Pointer, Chinook, and Toy Fox Terrier. (See Figure 5.)
CAT FOOTPRINT
Figure 3. Cat Foot. © 2018 S. Hedgepath
HARE FOOTPRINT
Figure 4. Hare Foot © 2018 S. Hedgepath
OVAL FOOTPRINT
Figure 5. Oval Foot. © 2018 S. Hedgepath
176 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2021
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