Clean Run - July 2010 - 16

the potential for instability in a body, there is the potential for hypomobility. In other words, when there is too much motion in one area, there will be reduced motion in another area. And the reverse is true as well. As previously stated, if the shoulder complex lacks shoulder extension or has decreased mobility, the body needs to compensate by increasing mobility elsewhere. Wrists that are too straight or that offer little side-to-side movement are not advantageous to dogs competing in agility either. Since there is a significant amount of lateral movement in agility, for example, in weave poles and turns, motion is necessary in the wrist. And while many dogs with breed-specific straight wrists (examples include Miniature Schnauzers, Doberman Pinschers, and Dalmatians) compete in agility, they are not physically permitted the tight turning advantage of some other dogs. If repetitively asked to perform lateral movements without proper flexibility in their wrists, dogs with straight wrists may develop problems somewhere else in the forelimb assembly.

cannot develop enough power to jump adequately and efficiently. The dog is not starting in a proper position to jump efficiently because of his structure. If the agility dog does present with this rear-end assembly, it will be important to stretch his rear legs appropriately and maintain the proper strength of his rear assembly and core musculature. For example, German Shepherd Dogs often have this rear-assembly presentation. Compensations are often seen in the lower back and iliopsoas region. In addition to appropriate strengthening and flexibility exercises, these dogs may need to adjust their jumping style. They may need to begin their jump a little bit sooner than a dog with a less angulated rear. The dogs are already starting in a slightly extended position, so they will need to start slightly closer to the jump or obstacle. If the line falls in back of the toes or right on the toes, the rear assembly is considered straight. Many breeds bred to guard, such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Boxers, and Bullmastiffs, have straighter rears compared with the herding breeds. As with the angulated rear, a straight rear assembly may also create a decreased lever arm and decreased ability to jump powerfully. And as mentioned, if you own one of these breeds, it does not necessarily mean your dog is not meant to perform agility. Considerations for training, speed, jumping style, and contact style may differ. The dogs may also need to start to jump closer to the jump because they will be unable to obtain a significant amount of hip extension. If the rear assembly is straight, the stifle (knee) is usually straight as well. A too straight stifle can lead to problems such as cruciate disease, arthritic conditions of the stifle, damage to the toes (digits), and problems with the dog’s lower back (lumbar spine).

Evaluate the Length of Back
The length of a dog’s back is often examined for agility fitness. Long backs have been considered to be advantageous for agility secondary to turning ability. Long backs are advantageous to a point, but flexibility and strength need to coalesce to protect the back. In any dog, core strength is essential, but dogs with longer backs especially need to focus on core strength and body awareness recurrently. A longer back allows flexibility to a point but a too long back can present with potential problems. On the other end of the spectrum, a too short back can also present problems. The dog with a too short back is unable to turn tightly or negotiate the weave poles smoothly. A balance must be sought between a too long and a too short back. This is one area that may be improved in the performance dog through flexibility and core strengthening exercises. Balance ball work is a must for any performance dog, but especially for agility dogs with longer backs.

Evaluating Hock Angulation
Hocks are always a hot topic of conversation. Let’s begin with the easy part. How much angulation is proper? Herding breeds naturally have slightly inward turned ankles/ hocks (cow hocks) causing the toes to turn outward. This aids the dog in turning and pivoting when working stock. The angulation also allows for tighter turns on the agility course. But as previously mentioned, too much angulation will cause the body to become tighter in another area. Hypermobility always lends to hypomobility or decreased mobility in the body. Slipped hocks are a congenital problem that may be a contentious topic. Slipped hocks, as described by Pat Hastings, are an instability of the soft tissue or ligaments surrounding the hock. When the hock is moved forward at the point of the hock, the hock collapses forward. There is nothing that can be done about the condition, except to strengthen, train, and treat appropriately. A slipped hock produces an instability that needs to be compensated for somewhere else in the body. In my experience, the first place I start to see problems in a dog with one slipped hock is the iliopsoas (hip flexor) region. This is near the groin area. If the dog has two slipped hocks, I
Clean Run | July 10

Evaluate the Rear Assembly
The rear assembly provides power and strength to the dog and is responsible for the propulsion and speed of a performance dog. The rear assembly consists of the hip, the stifle (knee), the hock (ankle), and the toes (digits). A well-angled rear is pertinent to the performance dog for function and the power needed to take jumps, power up the A-frame and dogwalk, and negotiate through turns. When the dog is standing squarely, a line may be drawn down from the ischial tuberosity (the prominent hip bone located at the dog’s rear) to the floor. The line should fall directly in front of the dog’s foot or toes. If the line is too far forward, this places stress on the dog’s stifle (knee), lower back (lumbar) area, and the hip. In addition to potential injury risks, this type of rear assembly possesses a lever arm that is not advantageous to the jumping dog. Because the rear assembly is set so far back, the dog
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Clean Run - July 2010

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