The Biewer Terrier Standard states: “The hind legs are straight and muscular when viewed from behind….The hocks are short, well let down and straight when viewed from behind, neither turned in nor out.”
Why is the correct rear structure desirable? The correct hindquarter structure is needed for the rear to have sufficient power to propel the dog forward. A correct structure is also necessary for a stable hock joint. The incorrect structure, as seen in diagrams B and C, may cause instability. As instability increases, there may be hyperextension, which makes the hock look unnaturally straight or, in severe cases, bows in the opposite direction. The rear pastern joint (hock) relies on ligaments to hold the bones in place. An audible or palpable “pop” may indicate that the ligament is loose or has torn, causing the joint to be unstable. Weakness in the joint makes walking difficult and may lead to pain and/or limping. Instability can be caused by structural issues, as explained here, or by an injury.
Diagram A: Correct Hock. In the diagrams above, the first labeled “A” shows a correct hock. Correctly built hocks should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground when viewed from behind. The standard describes the hocks as “well let down”, meaning the hock joint is rather close to the ground; put differently, the rear pasterns appear short. This correct structure gives the hindquarters the power to propel the dog forward and promotes stability of the pastern joint.
Diagram B: Cow Hocks. The second diagram, labeled “B”, shows hindquarters with cowhocks; the hocks are turned inward, and the feet point out. Remember the standard states hocks not turned in. This deviation from the standard can cause a loss of rear power and/or instability.
Diagram C: Bowed Hocks. In the third diagram, labeled “C”, the hocks are bowed or turned out. This is also a deviation from the standard, which states that hocks are not turned out. This departure from the standard also reduces rear power or propulsion and may cause instability in the
hock joint.
It is important to know that correct hindquarter structure promotes an efficient gait, which will be discussed in later posts, and the joint health of our Biewer Terriers.
Download a copy of Education Corner – Hindquarters