Structure
Structure - a complex system considered from the point of view of the whole rather than of any single part.
Anything composed of parts arranged together in some way; an organization.
The above explanations of structure are perfect. This structure page is a subpage of Basic Anatomy. It takes all the separate parts of our dog to make up their structure.
Structure is an extremely important part of life with our dogs. Structure can make a huge difference on what our dogs can and cannot, should and should not do.
Safety first, always.
Just because your dog can do something that they should physically find difficult or nearly impossible, doesn’t mean they should. Be careful.
Some structural handicaps:
Heavy body - joint injuries, over heating, too heavy for extreme activity.
Short legs - difficulty swimming, running long distance, jumping height.
Brachycephalic (flat muzzle like Pug, French Bulldog etc) - heat exhaustion, easily over heat. Not a good k9 jogging partner.
Fragile - easily damage legs with too much exertion.
Deformity - anything on our dog’s body can be deformed. From the tip of their nose to the end of their tail should be considered before any specific activity.
Of course there are other handicaps as far as structure. What you need to do before engaging in any activity, is to consider your dog’s structure. You should consider general structure; leg length, muscle tone, muzzle length or breathing ability before heading out for fun?
If you are just in the “thinking” part of the getting a dog process; consider structure when choosing the dog you bring home. If you are a marathon runner, don’t get a Bassett Hound if you plan on your dog joining you. Don’t get a tiny Italian Greyhound if you plan on going trail running on rough terrain with your dog. If you want a swimming partner, don’t get and English Bulldog, most sink like a stone. Research is key what your dog will be able to safely do as far as physical activities.
This is not just the case with purebreds; mixes also have physical limitations so it is best to know what you are getting. Most rescues can at least guess what is in a mix; but taking a good look at structure will tell you a lot.
I have seen many new k9 guardians let out a huge sigh of despair when they realize that the dog they brought home is not going to be able to do the things they wanted the dog to do. Research, research, research.
Structure is important.