Does your dog have an “east west” front? Or maybe it’s a “ten to two” front? These terms actually mean the same thing, which is that a dog’s front feet and toes point outward while standing and/or moving. Put another way, they “toe out.”
Is it a fault? It depends upon the breed, the degree to which the feet point out, and, as far as we can tell, who’s being asked.
From the book, “Structure In Action,” comes the suggestion that dogs competing in sports that require lateral stability or strength compromise structural integrity if the placement of their feet is improper. But in, “Coaching The Canine Athlete,” author, Dr. M Christine Zinc, DVM PhD, suggests that there’s no performance related reason why dogs need to have front facing feet, and that even if they do, it doesn’t mean that the feet won’t point forward once they move.
Several breeds touch upon this. From the Cardigan Welsh Corgi standard: “The feet… point slightly outward from a straight-ahead position to balance the width of the shoulders. This outward point is not to be more than 30 degrees from center line when viewed from above.” Put another way, the turn out is to accommodate the drop of the chest. The forearms should wrap around the chest, and it’s the curve in the forearm that causes the wrists to be closer together than the elbows, and thus, the turn out.
From the Pekingese breed standard: “Front feet are turned out slightly when standing or moving.”
There are others. Is yours one of them?
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My son-in-law wants to give us a pitbull puppy in her feet really curve out a lot I think that’s known as easty Westy I like to know if that will affect her in life and cause problems later on she’s a beautiful dog
Judy, our first caveat would be to make sure the breed is the right fit for you. If it is, and the dog won’t be used to work, you’ll all probably be very happy together. Just bear in mind the limitations of such a front when considering activities (as mentioned in the post), and she’ll probably be fine. Send us a picture!
My concern would be how well bred the dog is. One from a breeder who breeds for conformation/performance is far less likely to produce easty-westy fronts than a back yard breeder is. The concern is, what other faults could the dog have? Is the breeder breeding for overall health and quality? Have the parents and grand parents had various health tests? Could the east/west front be the tip of the iceberg?
AKC Dachshund standard states: Feet–Front paws are full, tight, compact, with well-arched toes and tough, thick pads. They may be equally inclined a trifle outward.
Good day my name is Craig my dog’s name is smoke he’s a pitbull he has what I think is called the east west condition. He also has some unusual behavior in his wrist more in his right Paul than the left I would like to know is that harmful and is there anything I can do about it I just heard of east west I’ve never heard that term before. It’s my hope that he isn’t too old to correct the condition if it needs correcting and by what means and measures must I go through to straighten this out I don’t plan on showing him or anything like that I just want to do the right thing that’s healthy for him and so that this condition doesn’t cause him any problems. Please send me a reply I would like to know what to do confused and concerned pet owner I do love my dog.
Hi Craig, please remember that we aren’t veterinarians and are far from qualified to give medical advice regarding the unusual behavior in your dog’s pastern, or wrist. You don’t mention his age, and puppies can do goofy things as they grow. Also, “pit bull” is a broad term. In the United Kennel Club, your dog might be an American Pit Bull Terrier or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. If he’s the latter, the breed standard reads that the “feet turn out slightly” in which case your dog is pretty normal and we wouldn’t worry about it at all. If he’s an APBT, the breed standard doesn’t mention positioning of the feet, but we still wouldn’t worry about an “east/west front.” As for that wrist, do take him to a vet to have it checked out. We can tell you love your dog, and if it’s any help, we doubt a slight east/west front is a cause for concern, and certainly isn’t something to be corrected. Again, have your vet check him out to give you peace of mind.
I have an American pocket bully 9-1/2 month old girl. Her left leg turns out more than her right one does. Will that cause her problems, is that a defect in the breed and should I quit feeding her high protein food?
I was told that my puppy is a pure bred red nose American Pitbull Terrier.(Obviously the dog on the left) But I was told that because his front paws turn outward, he’s not pure bred. He’s only 4 months old and I read that this can change as his chest drops and he gets older. I don’t care, he’s beautiful and I’m not showing him but I’m just wondering. I was fostering him for a friend and she can’t care for him, so now he’s mine. She told me he was $1000, but they didn’t give her papers. I’m not sure of the details of the purchase. I love him regardless he is the sweetest dog. I’m just curious.