On this page: A team of German scientists research canine structure and movement.
DOGS IN MOTION:
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A German Research team uses high tech to study canine structure and movement
Using another new technology, German researchers Martin S. Fischer and Karin E. Lilje used the fastest high-speed videography system used in animal research to film motion. They also used marker based motion capture to assess joint kinematics.
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The resultant book, DOGS IN MOTION, is a fascinating study of structure and movement. The research team eventually studied the structure and motion of 300 dogs (32 different breeds) using biplanar video x-rays, videography, and marker based motion capture. Using sensors to capture motion and angles usually results in more accurate analysis.
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Their results, published in Dogs In Motion (2014), also
conclude the 45-degree shoulder angle does not exist in most dogs. This book includes a DVD with x-rays and gait analysis of more than 300 dogs.
Interestingly, these researchers also measured upper arm bones and find upper arm bones are NOT routinely shorter than shoulder blades and short upper arm bones do NOT necessarily cause lack of front extension. (This idea was also included in the K-9 Structure and Terminology book by Gilbert and Brown. I hope to address this in a separate post.)
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This is an expensive book (most copies, even used, are more than $80), but certainly is an intriguing read. The DVD has more than 400 movies and x-rays!
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The DVD is more than three hours long but has no sound.
The researchers who wrote DOGS IN MOTION used “…state of the art methods of data collection (which) can actually measure these angles rather than us just relying on speculation.” –Professor Dr. Peter Friedrich, President of the German Kennel Club
Cover of the book DOGS IN MOTION.
For more information about the DOGS IN MOTION book, you can go to the German Kennel Club website (English version).
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https://www.vdh.de/newsletter-system/en/shop/dogs-in-motion/
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See the links below to purchase the book.
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This is a page from the book DOGS IN MOTION, written by German professor Martin S. Fischer and Karin E. Lilje (2014).
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The book is based on extensive study of 300 dogs from 32 different breeds using high speed videography, motion x-rays and motion sensor movement capture.
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Links to purchase the book are below.
What about the American Kennel Club? What say they about shoulder angulation?
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The answer might surprise you. Or maybe not.
