A Closer Look at the Chihuahua
by Laurence Fitt-Savage

Croup

The differing requirements for hindquarters mean that the pelvis is thought most efficient at 30° to the horizontal (not the 45° of the shoulder).  If the pelvis (& thus croup) is steeper, forward reach is gained, but push and follow through are restricted.  If the pelvis is flat, forward reach is reduced, but the length of muscle from pelvis to hock shows an apparent increase.  This however is not so as the femur, which tends to lie at 90° to the pelvis, is nearer the vertical, straightening the stifle joint and decreasing that joint's ability to operate as a pulley for the rearing muscles and ligaments.  A shallow croup gives hind movement that is stilted, in Spitz breed style, whilst a steep croup shows up as slack hind movement and a 'Goose-rump'

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Skull :: Jaws and Cheeks :: Muzzle :: Bite :: Eyes :: Ears :: Neck :: Forequarters
Shoulder :: Movement :: Balance :: Forehand :: Foreaction :: Musculature
Hindquarters :: Hindaction :: Croup :: Angulation :: Back :: Body Shape :: Chest :: Tail

Reproduced from the British Chihuahua Club Handbook 1987