ANATOMY OF THE DOG 



INTRODUCTION 



The dog, being a member of the larger 

 canine group, Canidae, is a mammal, and so 

 of the highest class of the vertebrate or back- 

 bone^ group. His species is canis familiaris 

 to distinguish him from other species of the 

 Canidae, namely wolf, fox, jackal. The Cani- 

 dae in turn are one of the 8 species of car- 

 nivora or flesh-eating genus of mammals. A 

 dog is not greatly different from the human 

 animal except of course that the dog walks 

 on four legs, is horizontal instead of upright 

 in build, and does not have as many vices. 



The dog as a patient is readily responsive 

 to medical and surgical treatment; and be- 

 cause of the similarity in anatomy, human and 

 canine surgery have much in common. The 

 dog does not inflict upon us the bromide, "Now 

 let me tell you about my operation." 

 Uniformity amid Vast Variety 



Perhaps the first consideration which comes 

 to mind is the wide variety of breeds with 

 their differing sizes, shapes, colors, and ex- 

 pressions. Yet there is precise uniformity in 

 structure and functioning of the canine body. 



The dog is a dog the world around what- 

 ever the breed, whether mongrel or pedigreed. 

 The 200-pound St. Bernard can shake paws 

 with the 2-pound chihuahua and say truly 

 "howdy, brother," for both are true brothers 

 under the skin. In the United States, 109 dif- 

 ferent breeds are officially recognized ; there 

 are approximately 10 distinct but unrecog- 

 nized breeds ; and in other countries there are 

 fully an additional 100 distinct pure breeds of 

 dogs. 



The stady of the anatomy of one breed is 

 sufficient for a correct understanding of that 

 of any other breed. From the long muzzle of 

 the borzoi to the smashed-in nose of the Pe- 

 kingese, from the slender lines of the grey- 

 hound to the massiveness of the St. Bernard, 

 from the height of the great dane to the low- 

 ness of the dachshund, there is fall simi- 

 larity in bone structure, organ functions, and 

 of course, in personality and character. 



Aims of this Work 



The presentation of the anatomy of the dog 

 is designed entirely for the layman ; never- 

 theless it must be wholly accurate and basi- 

 cally complete. The difference can lie only in 

 the method and extent of presentation. 



However, the reader must not conclude after 

 he has finished reading this work that he can 

 act with professional ability as a veterinary 

 surgeon. That would be a disastrous conclu- 

 sion. 



This work is intended not in any way to dis- 

 place the need for a veterinarian's services 

 but to give the dog breeder and the dog 

 owner an elementary or basic knowledge of 

 anatomy in order better to understand the 

 care of the dog and the conformation or fitting- 

 together of the various parts of the dog. The 

 latter is particularly helpful in interpreting the 

 breed standard in the show ring. 



A Definition of Anatomy 



What is anatomy? What does anatomy in- 

 clude? The word itself means to cut or dis- 

 sect. 



Anatomy is the science which presents the 

 detailed physical structure of an animal. It 

 is essentially analytical, altho topographical 

 anatomy concerns us most, being a study of 

 various parts of the body with reference to 

 surgery and medical diagnosis. 



The study of anatomy must serve as the 

 basic study in any course of instruction in the 

 care and health of the dog. Without it, 

 pathology, the science of treating of diseases, 

 their nature, causes, progress, manifestations, 

 and so forth would not have a reliable 

 foundation. 



Lack of Anatomical Knowledge 



Yet great astonishment arises out of the 

 situation that those who breed dogs, perhaps 

 thru many years, do not give attention to the 

 study of anatomy. Breeders have bred cham- 

 pion after champion for the show ring and 

 yet few of them can state clearly the location 

 of the various organs, the bone structure of 

 the dog, or the stages in the journey of food 

 thru the alimentary canal. 



Notwithstanding, many breeders and doc 

 owners believe they can treat their dogs ia 

 sickness. These same assumed doctors may 

 treat a stomach ailment not knowing whether 

 the stomach is nearer the shoulders or tail of 

 the dog. Eyes may be treated even tho it is 

 not known whether the eye internally is ot 

 solid or liquid matter. Request a dog owner 

 to count the pulse of his dog ; he is at a loss 

 to know what part of the dog to touch in order 

 to feel the beat of the pulse. 



Knowledge of Anatomy Aids Dog Breeder 



A study of anatomy, particularly of the 

 bone structure, enables the breeder more eas- 

 ily to label his puppies of good or poor type 

 according to the breed standard. An under- 

 standing of gait or movement of the dog is 

 made easy if the observer is familiar with the 

 anatomy of the dog in regard to shoulders 

 and thighs. 



On the whole, we cannot think of any 8ul>- 

 ject in canine work which is more basic and 

 yet comparatively less understood than that 

 of anatomy. 



The Will to Live 



The body of the dog is a wondrous master* 

 piece put together by Nature. It houses a 

 vitality which is almost unbelievable in its 

 persistence to exist. Dogs suffer intensely 

 over a long period of time without a whim- 

 per. They may be mistreated, neglected, un- 

 derfed, wrongly fed, exposed to the elements, 

 perhaps plied with poisonous medicines, yet 

 they cling to life with a hold which is almost 

 beyond belief. 



The desire to live, the determination tr 



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