Measurement of femoral angles in four dog breeds

To develop a standard method of measurement for femoral angles and report values for normal Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers.

Retrospective evaluation of canine pelvis and femoral radiographs.

Radiographs of Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers (n=100 for each breed).

Anatomic lateral distal and proximal femoral angle, mechanical lateral distal and proximal femoral angle, and femoral angle of inclination were measured from radiographs.

For the 4 breeds (Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers, respectively) anatomic lateral distal femoral angles were 97 degrees , 97 degrees , 94 degrees , and 98 degrees ; mechanical lateral distal femoral angles were 100 degrees , 100 degrees , 97 degrees , and 100 degrees ; anatomic lateral proximal femoral angles were 103 degrees , 98 degrees , 101 degrees , and 96 degrees ; mechanical lateral proximal femoral angles were 100 degrees , 95 degrees , 97 degrees , and 93 degrees ; and inclination angles were 134 degrees , 134 degrees , 132 degrees , and 137 degrees . Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers had significantly higher values for both anatomic and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle than German Shepherds. Anatomic and mechanical lateral proximal angles were greatest for Labrador Retrievers and lowest for Rottweilers.

Anatomic and mechanical femoral joint angles vary between breeds of dogs.

Values for femoral joint angles may be clinically useful for angular limb deformity diagnosis, treatment, and assessment.