Front Matter

Chapter 1 What Is a Canine Athlete? 11

three body types based on height, leg length,
and mass: ectomorphic, endomorphic, and
mesomorphic. A similar categorization can be
made in dogs. Ectomorphic dogs tend to have a
smaller bone structure and be light in mass
relative to their height. A key structural feature
of these dogs is that the distance between the
ground and the olecranon process is greater
than the distance from the olecranon process to
the dorsal rim of the scapula when the dog is
standing with radius and ulna perpendicular to
the ground. This added length of the distal limb
raises the dog’s center of gravity and gives it an
advantage by giving it a longer stride length
and greater ease in jumping. However, this
higher center of gravity also causes these dogs
to be less agile at turning, just as a Volkswagen
bus has poorer cornering ability than a Corvette.
Typical ectomorphic breeds include most of
the sighthounds, Weimaraners, German Short‐
Haired Pointers, Belgian Tervuren and other
long‐legged, lighter breeds.
At the other extreme, the endomorphic breeds
tend to carry more weight on their frame. This
group includes all of the chondrodystrophic
dwarfs, which have foreshortened limbs, as
well as Clumber Spaniels, Newfoundlands,
and other heavy‐set breeds. The distances

from the ground to the olecranon process and

from the olecranon process to the dorsal rim of

the scapula are typically equal in these breeds,

even in the chondrodystrophic dwarfs. Because

of their relatively heavier weight, these dogs

have a biomechanical disadvantage in perfor­

mance events requiring speed and agility.

The mesomorphic breeds lie in between these

two extremes and in general are of moderate

build with equal distance between the ground

and the olecranon and the olecranon and the

dorsal rim of the scapula. Most of the highly

successful breeds in sports that require speed

and agility are mesomorphic. Some typical

mesomorphic breeds include Golden Retrievers,

Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Beagles,

and Border Terriers. Their moderate body type

means that mesomorphic breeds are often suc­

cessful in diverse sports.

One way to evaluate the stresses on the mus­

culoskeletal system of a dog is to calculate a

dog’s weight to height ratio using the following

simple formula:

Weight:Height WHratiobody weight

inpounds dividedbyheig

:

hhtat thewithers

in inches

(A) (B)

Figure 1.6 A Corgi (A) and a Toy Poodle (B) have very different body weights and structures, yet both breeds have the
same requirements in agility and obedience. Source: Photos by Steve Surfman.