Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,
We had thought of eventually showing our 5 month Bernese as a family ctivity. However, our vet pointed out that his hind legs out-toe. Will this change as he develops, and is this a serious fault?

Thanks,
David Shapiro

Do his hocks kind of collapse inward?

Generally, 5 months is not a good age to determine large dogs' show quality. Rear soundness in particular changes as they mature, and is much more influenced by exercise and muscle development than front soundness is.

What does his breeder think?
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/

Hi,
His hocks don't collapse, they're just turned. I haven't contacted the breeder yet.

Thanks,
David Shapiro

>>Hi,
>> His hocks don't collapse, they're just turned. I haven't contacted the breeder yet.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>David Shapiro

I would talk to his breeder, as he or she will have more of a feel for what age you can fairly evaluate the rear on a dog of these lines.

When you say the hocks are "turned," do you mean that the knees point inward and the toes point outward?
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/

yes, about 10 degrees. I've seen pictures of "cow-hocked" kness, where the legs actually collapse inward at the knees, but that isn't happening here. i got our guy from a breeder in Belgium, so I will contact him by e-mail.

David

I'd be interested in hearing what the breeder thinks. Speaking strictly for my own breed, I have found that overall muscle, condition, and development are better (and the dogs hang together better through all stages) when they have another same-age pup or two to play with. I always let my puppies self-exercise with littermates until they are adults. Puppies who are grown out by themselves, or with dogs of different ages/sizes/activity levels, never seem to come together as well, especially when young.

It won't change their actual conformation of course, but rears IMO are more amenable to being tightened up from exercise. And I hate to deliberately exercise any giant breed, so play is my first choice.
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/