Skeletal System of The German Shepherd Dog

 

 

 

Principle bones:

01. Paretial bone 02. Occipital protuberance 03. Frontal bone 04. Temporal bone 05. Zygomatic process 06. Cheekbone 07. Upper jawbone 08. Lower jawbone 09. Vertebrae 10. Shoulder blade 11. Humerus 12. Sternum 13. Radium 14. Ulna 15. Carpus 16. Metacarpus 17. Phalanges 18. Vertebra coccygea 19. Iliac bone (ileum) 20. Femur 21. Patella 22. Tibia 23. Fibula (calf bone) 24. Calcaneum 25. Tarsus 26. Metatarsus 27. Phalanges 28. Ribs

Proportions

 

The yellow line represents the height at the shoulders, which should be measured using a special rod for measuring dogs, placing the animal on a solid floor. The white line represents the total length of the trunk which the German Shepherd varies between 111% and 125% of its height at the shoulders.

Correct Angles

 

The cranio-facial axes (cranial axis AB and facial axis CD) are parallel in the German Shepherd. Any deviation from the parallelism represents a defect of varying degree. The right cranio-facial ratio is 1:1

A. Correct bearing
The ears of the German Shepherd should be medium sized, attached to the head high up and held erect. Both ears should be the same, with the pavillion forward and pointed tips.

B. Ears spaced too far apart
C. Ears too close
D. Ear with a semi-erect pavillion

A. Incisors
B. Canines
C. Premolars
D. Molars

Unlike man and other animals, the teeth of the German Shepherd have an unusual feature: the lack of cement on the layer of enamel.
This is why they are always bright white (unless tartar has build up or there are traces of pharmacological substances

The field of vision of a dog with a very long skull can even take in an angle of about 270°. Binocular vision is subtended by a very narrow angle, so a vision in relief is limited.
In a dog with a rounded skull the field of vision is limited to about 200°, while the angle of relief binocular vision is slightly increased

A. Correct front foot
The foot should be rounded, with curved toes and the pads close together

B. Open front foot
This is a rather serious defect. The toes are spaced apart and not very curved. When moving the dog's foot does not have the elastic resting position