Is it normal for a dog to have longer back legs?
Having longer legs in the back is perfectly normal and healthy for a dog unless the dog appears to be in pain or discomfort. Some breeds naturally have longer legs in the back. If your dog yelps in pain upon being touched on its back leg joints or appears to be less active, this is cause for concern.
Your pup’s longer legs may be an abnormality if it is causing an imbalance or preventing your dog from running, jumping, or walking upstairs.
Highly athletic breeds such as Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Old English Sheepdogs naturally have high rear legs. The muscular back legs of the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers make them excellent swimmers that can endure long swims in cold icy waters. The high back legs of an Old English Sheepdog give their backs a slight slope and provide great agility for hunting animals.
It is also normal for a dog to have longer back legs if it is a mixed breed. Certain breed standards require taller back legs. So, if one breed that usually has more even legs is mixed with a different breed known for tall back legs, the body composition may be affected.
Why are my dog’s back legs longer than the front?
There are a few reasons why your dog may have longer legs in the back than in the front. If your dog is of a particular breed, it may have longer back legs. Breeds trained for dog shows and running may often have a high rear appearance due to longer back legs.
Do you have a young dog still in the puppy stage? It may simply still be adjusting to its body during a growth spurt.
Unfortunately, long hind legs in a dog can be a sign of an underlying health issue such as hip dysplasia. This painful condition occurs when the hip joints become loose or deformed. Any breed can be affected by this condition. Dogs of all ages can also suffer from it. It is most common in larger breeds of dogs such as Labradors.
How can you tell if your dog is suffering from hip dysplasia or has healthy long hind legs? If your dog suffers from hip dysplasia, the back legs will often become stiff. This stiffness makes the hind legs appear longer than they really are. Other signs of this disorder include hopping while running, inability to jump, limping, and reduced activity.
While it is not a life and death issue, your dog could be a dwarf. In the pursuit of having a cute version of a big dog, some breeders will breed large dogs with tiny dogs.
So how can you spot dwarfism in your dog? Look out for a disproportionate head, spotty coats, and an abnormal bone structure inconsistent with its breed. Pay attention to the growth of other dogs of the same age and breed. If your dog exhibits slower growth than those other dogs, it is displaying another sign of dwarfism. Don’t worry, a dwarf dog can still live a happy and normal life. You may have to make some extra trips to the vet and be knowledgeable about various accommodations for it.
Factors Contributing to Longer Back LegsÂ
Multiple factors may lead to uneven length lengths in Labradors.Â
As long as your dog is acting normally, there should be no reason to be concerned. However, if your dog can no longer do some of its favorite activities due to the imbalance, such as jumping, running, or walking upstairs, itâs a good idea to bring the issue up at the next vet appointment.Â
Even though it may look uncomfortable to you, there are some completely normal instances where this may occur.Â
Why Do Dogs’ Back Legs Give Out? (why this happens in old dogs)
Because being high in the rear puts more stress on the front end of the dog. … A high rear causes the hind legs to be more “under” the dog, and that diminishes the power from his back end to take off for a jump.