The mechanics of movement: Fronts
When judging or assessing dogs, I can forgive moderate cosmetic anomalies provided that the dog possesses sound structure. Most important is good running gear. In order to evaluate sound movement, it's important to know about proper proportions, lengths of bone and the effects of skeletal anomalies.
Lack of reach
Looking at the front of the dog, a fault we sometimes see in RRs is failure to extend evenly and fully from the shoulder. In the above photo of Hawk, it shows that there is a straight line from the top of the shoulder to the foot. A fault in front movement would show a bend at the elbow creating a break in that line of vision. A dog that fails to “reach” typically has one of two faults, or both. Straight shoulders and/or a short upper arm are the skeletal anomalies that prevent full, low to the ground extension.
Look for shoulder angles that are balanced with the upper arm and equal length of bone between the shoulder and upper arm. Even the untrained eye can pick up this fault easily in a still photo. Look for dogs with shoulder wrinkling and observe their movement. Wrinking typically occurs in dogs with straight shoulder assemblies. The resulting movement anomaly is a break at the elbow as opposed to full, straight extension.
Straight pasterns
This fault presents an increased risk to injury. Pasterns are the dogs' shock absorbers. Most of their weight is carried on the front end, therefore making the need for sound pasterns critical. If you think of shocks on a vehicle, imagine that they are set too tight or too loose. Both extremes have a heightened risk for failure, but the straight or knuckled over pastern is more prone to injury than one that has proper layback. Even as a one year old, Darla (below) shows proper layback of pastern without extreme. Darla's pastern angles are ideal.
It is usual that a dog with a straight shoulder and upper arm will also have a straight pastern.
Poor Fill
Even as a young adult, Shando (below) displays ample fill. There are three things that contribute to proper fill.
1. Deep rib cage (skeletal correctness).
2. Flesh covering the rib cage (muscular correctness).
3. Adequate return of upper arm (skeletal correctness).
Correct fill is measure two ways. First, by visually looking to see that the lowest point of the chest is as deep as the elbow. Second, by feeling to see that both skeletal and muscular systems “fill” your hand at the point of the elbow. Why is fill important? Fill represents sound structure which, in turn, decreases the propensity for injury. As well, lung capacity in working or performing dogs is crucial for optimal performance.
Bone lengths
The shoulder (scapula) should be of equal length to the upper arm (humerus) and lower arm (radius). Deviations from these ideal lengths is often evident in movement and is easily measured in a still photo. In short, don't be afraid to take a ruler or protractor to your dog's photos in order to best determine where to take your breeding program or whether to breed a particular dog at all. Of Course Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known for possessing some of the best fronts in North America. Breeding to improve or maintain fronts should be the goal of every Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder if they want their dogs not only to excel in the ring, but to live life as injury free as possible.
For more information on fronts, don't forget to consult equine as well as canine sources.