RedDobieCHAMP

Champ is 6 months old (almost), I've had him since 8 weeks. He weighs 59 pounds, and he looks lean, very tall and lanky, definitly not fat.

Lately I've noticed his front paws turned slightly outward when he's standing straight. I know the books I read say they're paws should be straight forward, neither in nor out.

I have alot of tile in my house and he slides around alot. I also read that this could be too much physical activity (from a thread on page 4).

Also, he has been on High Quality Kibble since I've brought him home, I havent found a "perfect" food for him yet, we've tried Orijen, Canidae, Solid Gold, and now he seems to be doing the best on Innova LB pup

Anyone have or had this problem?

Murreydobe

If the paws only turn out slightly, there's a good chance they'll straighten out once the chest drops.

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velmadobe

being a little "eastie westie" at this age is not an issue - they tend to straighten out with maturity. In fact, some breeders would be concerned if they are perfect at this age because then they might tend to toe in with maturity.......... and being a little east/west is preferable to toeing in.

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reisende

in addition to the above very good advice, too-smooth flooring, like tiles, would make the front paws face outwards to get a better grip on the floor. you could try throwing large rugs around on the floor to prevent your dobe from skidding. however, I like my floors bare (that's the whole point of having a non-carpeted floor) - it's cooler. so what I do is to take him out to play as much as I can, instead of playing in my apartment. he mostly sleeps when indoors, or just paces/walks around, patrolling my apartment.

RedDobieCHAMP

Thanks for the replies.

Maybe I'll throw down another rug.

I was looking at him closely yesterday, and I would say they are not just a "little" turned outward, they are outward at about a 45 degree angle.

Champ has kind of weird body shape IMO, he's very thin but his chest is very large vertically, what I mean is his body is very tall but when looking down at him or directly at him he is very thin. He weighs almost 60 pounds at 6 mos, and this is my first dobe, his chest just appears to have dropped alot already.

gracieface

eastie westie is the term for the feet facing out, don't worry, it takes time but as the chest expands it pushes out his elbows and the feet turn in to the front. don't be in a hurry, remember 2 years to finish growing.

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DLS

It depends on his comformation. Was he always a narrow bodied dog even when he was an 8 week old pup? SOme dogs ribs never spring they are what we call slab sided, so they will always be a little eastie-westie or sometimes fiddle fronted. Normally a 6 month old pup who has adequate rib spring will go a little out in the front when they go up on leg, but as the chest drops the elbows are more secure against the body and the legs come back to square. Can you post a picture of your boy?

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berkdogg

My boys feet were doing the same thing (eastie-westie), now I am noticing they are not so pronounced.