Hindlimbs of Rottweiler are under much less pressure of corpus and
under much less load than forelimbs. However, the structure of
Rottweiler’s hindlimbs is more complicated than that of the
forelimbs. Rottweiler’s hindlimbs are connected to external edge
of pelvic girdle that is found under the dog’s rump.
Structure of Rottweiler’s hindlimbs is as follows: thighs, lower
legs, shanks and paws. Proportion and good development of muscles
of just these body parts are highly estimated, because hindlimbs
of Rottweiler have a dominant role for motor function. According
the breed specification joint deflection angles of flank bone,
astragalus, cnemis and anticnemion with metatarsus must be blunt.
Correct set of Rottweiler’s hindlimbs
When viewed from behind Rottweiler’s hindlimbs must be upright and
not too loosely spaced. Pelvis is formed by pretty wide bones.
Eliminative and reproductive organs are arranged in this body
area. There are hollows in the lower part of haunch bones that
unite Rottweiler’s pelvis with whirlbones which form hip joint.
Lower edge of astragalus is attached to the heads of calf-bone and
skin bone that form Rottweiler’s stifle. Short bones of hind limb,
hock, foot are arranged under the stifle. (from top downward).
Pelvic declivity angle has direct effect on fluency and eurhythmy
in movement of Rottweiler. If the pelvis is arranged at the right
angle to the dog’s back, then when Rottweiler drives off the
ground surface its pelvis will raise up.
But if the pelvis is inclined, corpus of the dog will bear the
pressure directly upon the rump and then upon the backbone and
thus the animal will move forward without jerks and sprints.
When Rottweiler stands freely, joint grade angles of haunch bone
with astragalus, astragalus with lower leg and lower leg with
metatarsus are to be blunt given that the hind limbs are developed
and formed properly.
During examination of Rottweiler’s hindlimbs the following
deformities may be found: too widely spaced paws or on the
contrary, too closely set; turned inward hocks attended by
toes-out; ectropic hock that leads to talipes and also dome-shaped
disposition of Rottweiler’s hindlimbs.
Deformities in set of Rottweiler’s hind limbs
During examination of Rottweiler the following abnormalities can
be found: flatness of stifle, shortcut bones of metatarsus and the
sickleness that is characterized by too acute tilt angle of
Rottweiler’s stifle. When sickleness of stifle is observed in
Rottweiler, the dog moves less freely and it is much harder for it
to drive off the ground during movement.
The structure of hind limbs is of great importance for development
of Rottweiler’s motor power.
Very strong and power hind legs witness that the animal is capable
to straighten the limbs in the hips to the maximum. Regularity of
hind limb articulation provides development of considerable motor
power in Rottweiler, but rectified almost flat joints, on the
contrary, break the ability of the dog to move arduously, because
repelling force is directed not up but forward.
During examination of Rottweiler, attention is paid to muscular
development of cnemis and thigh.
These muscles adjoin femoral, skin bone and calf-bone, and it is
very important that the bones are to be articulated at the correct
deflection angle.
When Rottweiler moves forward especially at a brisk pace, the
musculature of its paws is under grave load and tension, therefore
Rottweilers need to have well-shaped, strong muscles, that are
also well defined when viewed sideways and from behind. So, the
dog’s thighs must be wide and too long with well-developed
muscles.
Ideally, lower legs are too long and have clear-cut, hard muscles.
The hocks of Rottweiler must have a certain slant and be well
defined. The paws of the hind limbs are a little longer than the
paws of fore limbs, the dactyls are arched, well-pressed to each
other. Absence of dewclaws plays an important role.
