Some of the names used for the parts of a dog's body are the same as those used in everyday language. Others are more specialized. This article will try to use as many terms as possible.
1. standing four square
Standing four square simply means your dog is standing on all four legs.
2. dog's head
Clearly, this is the dog's head
3. dog's foreface
The area between the nose and a point between the eyes is the foreface
4. the stop
A point between the eyes is the stop. Some dogs have a gradual stop while in others it is more distinct. In some dogs it is difficult to discern any stop at at all.
5. Dog's Lip
A dog's lip is sometimes called a flew
6. dogs ear
This is a fairly obvious part of the dogs anatomy
7. occiput
The occiput is the bony bulge on the top of the head. Its function is to protect the brain and bones of the skull
8. zygomatic arch
The dog's zygomatic arch is sometimes called the cheek bone. You can feel it (and sometimes see it at the side of the eye.
9. dog's withers
At the back of the neck and basically above the shoulder bones are the withers.
10. dog's scapula
The scapula is the shoulder bone and it runs form the withers to the point of the shoulder
11. dog's sternum
The sternum is the dog's breastbone and can be felt between the front legs.
12. dog's elbow
The elbow is the point at which the leg bends and can be felt at the back of the dog's leg.
13. the radius and ulna
The dog's radius and ulna run down the front leg to the carpal bones
14. The dog's carpal bones
The carpal bones in the front legs form what is the equivalent of the dog's wrist.
15. The dog's pastern
The pastern is the area between the dog's carpal bones and foot,
16. dog's foot
The dogs feet are at the end of the legs (obviously)
17. dorsal line of the dog
The dorsal line runs along the back of the dog. It is also referred to as the spine or topline.
18. the dog's depth of chest
The depth of chest of the dog is measured from the withers to the area between the legs
19. the dog's hip bone
The hip bone is found towards the back end of the dog and is where the back legs connect
20. the pin bone
You can feel the pin bones either side of the dog's tail.
21. the croup
A dog's croup is the area between the hip bone and the pin bone
22. the dog's tail set
The point at which the tail comes out of the dog's body is called the tail set.
23. The dog's stifle
The stifle is the dog's back knee. It is a complex joint joining the femur, patella and tibia
24. The dog's hock
The dog's hock is a joint in the rear legs which is analogous to the ankle of humans.
25. length of hock
In a dog the distance from the hock joint to the ground is the length of hock
For a fuller description of the parts of the dog watch the video below.
