What this means
The easiest way to judge leg shape is to look at your dog from the front and from the side while it stands calmly on a flat surface. Note whether the legs bow outwards or inwards, whether the paws turn out to the sides, whether the legs look unusually short for the body, and whether the proportions of the body and limbs differ from other dogs of the same breed. Short legs are normal for some breeds, so what matters is whether something has changed or looks different from the puppy's littermates.
Bone shape changes during growth, so owners of fast-growing puppies are usually the first to notice a bend. Sometimes the shape is inherited and present from birth, sometimes bones do not harden properly because of a nutritional or metabolic problem, and sometimes a bone bends after an injury or a break. Which of these it is can only be decided by a vet who examines the dog and, if needed, takes X-rays. There is no point guessing or waiting for the dog to finish growing.
Your vet will find it useful to know when you noticed the change, whether it alters as the puppy grows, whether your dog limps or avoids jumping and climbing stairs, and whether other puppies from the same litter look similar. If you can, photograph your dog from the front, side and back on a flat surface so the change can be compared over time. Ask the breeder whether similar problems have occurred in the family.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Inherited disorder of bone and cartilage growth
In some dogs the bones grow differently from the norm, so the legs stay short or bowed and the body proportions look unusual. The change is visible from a young age.
About the condition: Chondrodysplasia (disproportionate dwarfism) -
Bones not hardening properly
If bones do not strengthen enough they stay softer and can bend, and the puppy grows more slowly. This can be an inherited disease.
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Disturbed bone growth after an injury
After a break or damage to a growth area a bone can grow crooked, so one leg looks different from the other.
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Joint problems
When a joint does not form properly a leg can look turned or bent, and movement becomes painful or limited.
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Another growth or metabolic disorder
Some diseases disturb bone growth and shape. A vet finds the real cause by examining the dog.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether both legs are bowed or only one, and whether outwards or inwards
- Whether the paws turn out to the sides when standing or walking
- Whether the change grows with the puppy or stays the same
- Whether your dog limps or avoids jumping and climbing stairs
- Whether other puppies in the litter look similar
- Whether your dog grows more slowly than other puppies of the breed
When to book a routine visit
Bowed or deformed legs are worth showing to a vet, as they are often linked to an inherited or growth-related disorder. Say when you first noticed the change and show photographs.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Chondrodysplasia (disproportionate dwarfism) Bones and joints Chondrodysplasia is an inherited disorder of cartilage and bone growth that leaves the legs shorter than the size of the body would suggest. Beyond the length of the legs, the disorder can also affect the joints and the spine. Bones that grow out of shape can make movement harder or cause pain over time.
- Hypophosphatasia Bones and joints Hypophosphatasia is an inherited metabolic disease in which the body lacks enough of an enzyme that helps bones and teeth mineralise properly. As a result, bones stay softer and more fragile, and teeth may be poorly anchored. Its signs can show while the puppy is still growing, and it can seriously affect growth and mobility.
Body systems: Bones and joints