This is a great series from Showsight Magazine! I summarized each segment with links to the original articles. All together, they appear to make up about 82 pages with images (not including the social media comments linked at the bottom of this page). You may also want to view my Evaluating Structure post.
Form Follows Function: Understanding the Why Behind the Structure – Part One
As breeders, exhibitors, and performance partners, we spend a lot of time looking at dogs. But how often do we pause to truly see them? Structure isn’t just about stacking a dog or memorizing a standard. It’s about understanding why our breeds are built the way they are. Form follows function—and if we want to breed dogs that move well, work soundly, and live long, healthy lives, we need to understand how form and function connect.
Stephanie Hedgepath’s “Form Follows Function” series in ShowSight Magazine is a masterclass in going beyond the surface. This first article sets the foundation, not by diving right into anatomy, but by reminding us of our responsibility: to preserve breed type and function. As she writes, “You cannot evaluate movement until you understand structure, and you cannot evaluate structure until you understand type.”
Type is more than just a silhouette—it’s the physical expression of a breed’s purpose. Whether retrieving, herding, guarding, or simply moving efficiently, every breed was designed with a job in mind. And when we breed, show, or judge dogs, we should be measuring their structure against that functional blueprint—not chasing trends or exaggerations.
Balance is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but here, it’s clearly defined. A balanced dog is one whose parts—front and rear angles, topline and underline, head and neck—work in harmony. Balance isn’t just aesthetic; it’s essential for endurance and efficiency. An unbalanced dog may still move, but not without wasting energy or straining joints.
As breeders of purpose-bred dogs, this is our charge: to understand our breed’s history, to protect its future, and to evaluate structure not just for the ring, but for the real-life work our dogs were built to do.
This first article lays the philosophical groundwork for the deep-dive that follows. It’s a call to curiosity, humility, and intention. Our dogs deserve nothing less.
Form Follows Function – Part Two: The Canine Skeleton – the Blueprint Beneath the Breed
If form follows function, then the skeleton is the blueprint. In Part Two, Hedgepath takes us beneath the coat and into the foundational framework of every breed: bone. Every dog, regardless of type or size, has the same basic skeletal structure. But it’s the length of the bones and the angles of the joints that create breed-specific silhouettes—and functional differences.
Understanding the canine skeleton is essential to interpreting structure. Long bones (like the humerus and femur) give leverage for movement. Short bones (like those in the carpus and tarsus) absorb shock and provide stability. Flat bones protect vital organs. And all bones serve as attachment points for the muscles and ligaments that move our dogs forward.
Hedgepath explains joint types with clarity: ball-and-socket joints (shoulder and hip) allow rotation, hinge joints (elbow and stifle) provide flexion and extension, and gliding joints (carpus, tarsus) offer limited, shock-absorbing motion. When we understand how these joints function, we can better recognize why certain angulations—too steep, too flat, too long, too short—lead to inefficiencies or even injury.
One of the most important takeaways is the front assembly’s role in weight distribution. Dogs carry about 60% of their body weight on their front end. That means the front structure—scapula, humerus, elbow, pasterns, and feet—must be both shock-absorbing and structurally sound. The angles and proportions here determine reach, impact absorption, and long-term soundness.
This part of the series is a reminder that good structure isn’t cosmetic. It’s the product of precise skeletal architecture. As breeders, when we assess a young puppy or a promising show dog, we should be asking: does this dog have the bone and balance to do the job it was bred for?
Because under every coat—whether curly, wiry, smooth, or double—is a blueprint. The job of a preservation breeder is to understand it, respect it, and protect it.
Form Follows Function – Part Three: Hindquarters, Head, Neck & Spine
In Part Three, Hedgepath shifts focus to the rear—the engine of propulsion—and the spinal column that connects it all. This section reminds us that movement starts in the rear, is stabilized by the spine, and is directed by the head and neck. When these pieces are structurally sound and properly balanced, efficient, effortless movement is possible.
The pelvis is angled to allow powerful thrust from the rear. Ideally, the femur should be of equal length to the pelvis and meet at a 90-degree angle at the hip joint. The lower thigh (tibia and fibula) should equal or exceed the length of the upper thigh to maintain strength and flexibility through the hock. These proportions directly affect drive and follow-through.
Moving forward, the spine is more than a bridge between front and rear. The cervical vertebrae in the neck allow head carriage, flexibility, and shock absorption. The thoracic vertebrae support rib structure and provide the strength behind a well-developed topline. The lumbar and sacral vertebrae, especially where the pelvis anchors to the sacrum, are critical for propulsion. Each section plays a distinct role and should be assessed both visually and through touch.
The head—its shape, proportions, and function—matters just as much. Skull type (mesocephalic, dolichocephalic, or brachycephalic) isn’t just a visual cue. It reflects the breed’s original function, bite mechanics, and sensory needs. Jaw strength, dentition, and proportion between skull and muzzle can indicate a dog’s ability to perform its intended work.
Together, the hindquarters, spine, neck, and head create a functional continuum. They form the support system and steering mechanism for purposeful movement. When breeders understand how these systems interrelate, we’re better equipped to evaluate puppies, assess breeding stock, and advocate for soundness across the lifespan.
The beauty of structure isn’t just in stillness—it’s in the way it powers motion. And that starts from the rear and runs right through to the nose.
Form Follows Function – Part Four: Visual Assessment Techniques
Part Four brings us to the eyes and hands of the breeder and judge: visual assessment. Before we ever touch a dog, we use our trained eyes to evaluate balance, proportion, angulation, and overall harmony. This article breaks down how to look beyond the surface and assess structure in motion and at rest.
Stephanie Hedgepath reminds us that visual assessment is not guesswork; it’s a skill built on understanding anatomy and breed type. She walks us through key visual checkpoints: head set, neck length and carriage, shoulder slope, front and rear angulation, topline, croup, tail set, and foot placement. Each area tells a story about how the dog moves and functions.
Balance is front and center again—whether the dog’s front matches its rear in angulation and length. Is the topline level or does it dip? Does the dog move smoothly with a natural stride, or is there stiffness or awkwardness? The article also encourages breeders to watch dogs from multiple angles, noting how structure translates into real-world movement.
This step is critical before the hands-on exam. Visual cues guide where to focus palpation and what questions to ask about a dog’s soundness and potential. For preservation breeders like us, learning to read these visual signs early means better selection and stronger breeding decisions.
In your program, combine these visual checkpoints with your knowledge of breed history and function. This way, you’re not just seeing a pretty dog—you’re seeing a working athlete built for purpose.
Form Follows Function – Part Five: Hands-On Exam of the Front Assembly
Building on visual assessment, Part Five dives into the tactile side of structure evaluation—palpating the front assembly. The front end carries about 60% of a dog’s weight, so understanding what you feel under the coat is crucial for assessing soundness and function.
Stephanie Hedgepath guides us through feeling the scapula’s position and angle, the length and layback of the shoulder blade, and the upper arm’s length and attachment. These elements shape reach and shock absorption. Palpating the elbow joint reveals flexion and extension, as well as any signs of stress or arthritis.
You’ll learn to trace the foreleg down to the pasterns and feet, noting angulation and stability. The article stresses the importance of feeling for muscle tone, ligament integrity, and joint alignment to detect faults that may not be obvious visually.
For breeders focused on preservation, this hands-on work complements what you see in the stack and in movement. It helps you confirm or question your visual impressions and ensures you’re selecting dogs with sound, functional front ends.
Mastering front assembly palpation builds a foundation for the rear and full-body exams coming up next. With this skill, you’re better equipped to protect and promote the structure that supports healthy, balanced movement.
Form Follows Function – Part Six: Hands-On Exam of Chest, Topline, and Hindquarters
In this final hands-on chapter, Stephanie Hedgepath walks us through palpating the chest, topline, and rear assembly—key areas that influence strength, balance, and propulsion.
Start by feeling the rib spring, checking the curve and depth of the ribs from both sides. An ideal ribcage supports efficient breathing and endurance without being slab-sided or barrel-shaped. Next, move your hands along the spine from the withers through the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, assessing muscle development and spinal alignment. A strong, smooth topline is essential for a sound, athletic dog.
Then focus on the croup and tailset by palpating the sacrum and pelvis. The pelvis should be well-angled to allow powerful rear drive. Feel the loin length and the ischial tuberosities (“pin bones”) to evaluate rear balance and strength. This tactile examination complements the visual assessment of rear angulation and tail carriage.
Together, these structures form the foundation for propulsion and balance in movement. As a preservation breeder, mastering this palpation helps you select dogs with the physical tools needed for longevity and function.
With Parts Five and Six complete, you’ve gained a full toolkit for evaluating structure by both sight and touch. The next step is applying this knowledge to movement and gait analysis—seeing form truly follow function in action.
Form Follows Function – Toes Up: The Foundation Beneath Every Step
Often overlooked, a dog’s feet and toes are the literal foundation of movement. Healthy, well-structured toes provide support, traction, and shock absorption—key factors in soundness and athleticism.
Dogs typically walk on four main toes per foot, each with three small bones that allow flexibility and grip. The dewclaws—vestigial fifth toes—vary by breed and function. Front dewclaws are often firmly attached to bone and help with stability; rear dewclaws may be looser and sometimes removed if they pose a risk.
Pads cushion each toe and the foot’s underside, made of dense connective tissue and fat covered by thick, protective skin. These pads absorb impact and help dogs adapt to varying terrain, whether slick floors or rugged trails.
Toenails also play a role in traction and balance. Keeping nails trimmed and healthy helps maintain proper foot positioning and prevents discomfort or gait alteration.
When evaluating structure, don’t forget to examine toes and feet by sight and touch. Look for symmetry, proper alignment, healthy pads, and secure dewclaws. Well-formed feet contribute to efficient, effortless movement—just as form should always follow function.
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