back legs outstretched

[VON KIRCHER]

My, Zeus lies down with his hind legs out stretched, straigth back. He seems very comfy and relaxed, but I was told not to let him do that, because it could have an effect on his hips. Any truth to this?

I thinks its funny to see, and he likes it.

[pbach]

I haven't heard that it hurts them, we call our dogs frog dogs when they do it.

[TrishB]

I call it the "Frog Dog" pose. :D It doesn't hurt them. Typically, as they grow older, they stop doing this (they lose their flexibility just like we do). But some do it for their entire lives! It has no effect on their hips.

If you're worried, you'd be better off ensuring that they:

- don't run over uneven ground
- don't make fast, tight turns
- get regular, daily exercise
- remain at a good, healthy weight

:)

[cpalenchar]

I have heard though (but would be welcome to arguments that this advice is bunk), that it is *also* bad to *over* excercise a dog until 12 months, maybe 18 months old? Forced excercise at a young age is also bad for the hips. Letting them run-- GREAT. Taking them running-- BAD!

-chloe

[TrishB]

Originally posted by cpalenchar
I have heard though (but would be welcome to arguments that this advice is bunk), that it is *also* bad to *over* excercise a dog until 12 months, maybe 18 months old? Forced excercise at a young age is also bad for the hips. Letting them run-- GREAT. Taking them running-- BAD!

-chloe

This is very true. Rottweilers are heavy dogs. As they are growing, their joints are soft and easily injured. Young dogs should never be "worked". Exercise shouldn't go beyond what the dog is willing to do on their own.

Once a dog is 2 years old, you can slowly increase their exercise to "work" levels.

[Sharon Marples]

We have an 8 year old male that still lies with his legs stretched out all the time.

Hips? OFA Excellent! Didn't seem to phase his hip development at all.

Sharon Marples

[moondog]

My dog just turned 8 and she does this, too. Front legs and rear legs stretched out as far as they go, like she wants to make sure she has 100% belly contact with the floor. :)

[VON KIRCHER]

Thanks for letting me know, my female, years ago, never did this. So I just was curious.

[JD102175]

One of my trainer"s females does this. She is used as a demo dog for his basic and intermediate obed. classes. Olivia seems very comfy that way and he says she lays like that all the time. I believe she is about 3-4yrs. old(not sure, never asked)


Jaime

[beth gordon]

Actually, dogs with hip problems can 't stretch their legs out like that so while it doesn't hurt them, it also is an indication of good hips.

[Judi W]

I don't think it is an indicator one way or the other. The only HD dog I ever owned laid like that and I know many who do put their legs back and have perfectly sound hips.

[Debbie]

My guess is they'll naturally avoid doing what is uncomfortable for them. Mine used to lay like that, we called it "puppy legs", but she outgrew it except for an occasional stretch on the bed. I sure do miss that look! :D

[rottsnroses]

Actually, dogs with hip problems can 't stretch their legs out like that so while it doesn't hurt them, it also is an indication of good hips.

Our next door neighbor's sons family has a rottweiler with severe hip dysplasia. It was so bad that they had hip replacements done on him. He used to lay like this when he was young, so I would not agree that this is an indication of good hips.

[mickeymichellie]

My foster dog, who is now 13 months old, lays like this all the time. My vet say this and said it meant that he had a good flexibility, so he probably did not have HD. But not a guarantee...

[sable375]

my male foster lays like that too. :) It is too funny!! Sometimes he will lay with his front paws stretched out and his head in between... looks just like a smooshed frog, or he will lay with his front paws crossed and his head on top of his legs. Too funny! :)