Too wide chest of Rottweiler with well–developed breastbone and
muscles, average curvature of ribs is recognized by experts as
standard. The chest depth is to be approximately 50% of the dog’s
height at withers.
Abdominal cavity contains fair-sized organs but osteal protection
is absent at that. Depth and width of abdominal cavity in the area
of coupling play an important role.
Descent of abdominal cavity organs happens due to cancellation of
abdominal musculature that is resulting from denormalization of
feeding, management of the dog. Weakness of abdominal wall
musculature is often observed in Rottweilers-bitches which
parturiate from time to time therefore such dogs need regular
physical pressure strengthening and exercising abdominal muscles.
Forelimbs
Forelimbs serve for supporting of Rottweiler’s corpus and work as
shock-absorbers during movement and jumps. When the dog unbends
its forelimbs the corpus is thrown up and forward. These body
parts are subject to especially hard loads during run.
Forelimbs:
а – short; б – long
Forelimbs in Rottweilers must be upright, not too closely spaced
and be very muscular. Properly developed limbs of Rottweiler have
good framework, well-defined articulations and strong elastic
ligaments. When viewed sideways the forearms must look upright.
Arcuation of Rottweiler’s legs intensifies the pressure which
corpus place on them, because the influence of body mass is
carried out not along limb axis and therefore articular ligaments
are under extensive load, muscles get tired fast. Performance
decrement to a great degree is observed in the dogs with
curvaceous legs, especially in tracker ones.
The Structure of Rottweiler’s forelimbs involves several main
parts: shoulder blade, bone of upper arm, bones of forearm,
metacarpus and paw. Shoulder-blades are attached to the chest with
muscles that must be methodically strengthened by training and
regimen, because weakness of muscle tonus especially in large dogs
adversely affects canine activity and working abilities.
Lower edges of shoulder-blades are connected with humeruses by
joints. Such parameters as arm length and an inclination of
connection angle of humerus with shoulder–blade play an important
role in proper development of Rottweiler’s body. They determine
the mobility of the dog’s forelimbs.
Arm length and the length of scapular bone must be almost equal,
but the shoulder must be positioned so as the elbow parts should
nearly touch the corpus. The distances from Rottweiler’s elbow to
the withers and from the elbow to ground-level must be equal.
When shoulder-blade is properly sized and set, Rottweiler’s limb
comes forward to the maximum during movement of the dog. Besides,
this provides more dependable carrier for the corpus when the paws
touch the ground.
