“Propeller” is a word more closely associated with aviation than with canines, but two AKC breed standards contain the word, and each standard applies the word to two very different ends of their breed.

In the Chinook, one of the accepted ear types (in addition to drop and prick ears) are “propeller ears,” ears that maintain a fold when at attention. It’s not hard to envision such ears on a dog.

In the English Foxhound standard, however, the word is used in a surprising way: “The…propellers are required to be very strong.”

We intentionally left out an important word in that sentence to make you wonder what “propellers” refer to: It’s the dog’s hindquarters.

When the sentence is read in its totality, use of the word makes sense:  “The hindquarters or propellers are required to be very strong, and as endurance is of even greater consequence than speed, straight stifles are preferred to those much bent as in a Greyhound.”

Correct “running gear” is essential to a hound because, as the AKC states, the English Foxhound is “a substantial galloping hound of great stamina. His long legs are straight as a gatepost, and just as sturdy.”  This Foxhound was bred to run full throttle over hill and dale, hot in pursuit on the heels of first, a stag, and when stag became scarce, the more abundant fox. The breed’s hindquarters must be very strong to “propel” the dog to run for long distances at great speeds.

Image: “Time Out” by Dana Lee Thompson
http://www.danaleethompson.com/ – contact the artist about this piece