Feet play a subtle but vital role in Rottweiler type. More importantly, they are a fundamental component in Rottweiler movement. Possessing correct feet is essential. The standard specifies, “Pasterns are strong, springy and almost perpendicular to the ground. Feet are round, compact with well-arched toes, turning neither in nor out. Pads are thick and hard. Nails short, strong and black”. Despite these exacting words from the standard, one encounters with great frequency, sloppy feet, low on the pastern and splay footed Rottweilers. The foot is the contact point where the body meets the ground and where a great deal of torque, occurring from the torsion of gait is dampened. The feet are in essence, the canine “shock absorbers”. It is valuable for an aficionado of the Rottweiler to understand the subtle yet powerful influence the feet have upon the entire musculo/skeletal workings of the dog. To understand what is incorrect, it is important to start with a good example of what is correct. Fig 1, is an illustration of correct feet. In Fig 2, is correct feet in 3/4 view and profile. When standing,( Fig 3.) the feet should be in correct alignment so the balance point of each leg runs directly in the center of the pastern through the center of the toes. This creates an equal distribution of body weight in the front section, through the radius, ulna, humerus and scapula (the front assembly). When viewing the Rottweiler head on, one should not see the feet turning in or out. The legs must be straight, with a distance from the sternum equal to 50% the width of the chest . Additionally, elbows should be close fitting to the chest. With this correct alignment, the front assembly evenly distributes the torsion and shock created by forward motion. Pictures courtesy VETMD & WCROTTS (With thanks and appreciation)
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 11:06:47 +0000
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