CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Aimeetess on November 21, 2017, 12:38:11 PM

Title: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: Aimeetess on November 21, 2017, 12:38:11 PM
It seems a lot more common than I thought when looking at pictures of Cockers on forums, Facebook etc.

Mine has slight QAL's when he sits in certain positions which does make me worry sometimes, his legs definitely aren't perfectly straight like they should be but not a bad case. My vet has said to ignore it, as he grows they should straighten out.

Hes got very strong FTCH lines in him and a few look to have slight QAL's.

Hes a lovely lad, a gorgeous red colour and I planned on mating him to a friends dog in the future but I won't be now as of his slight QAL's.

Is it something to worry about? I've been told they get arthritis quicker and a few people seem to take the piss of 'bowed legged Cockers'  >:( as they call them.
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: ips on November 21, 2017, 01:02:40 PM
I have seen this on a couple of ess but personally never noticed it on cockers.
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: JeffD on November 21, 2017, 03:58:39 PM
not uncommon in cockers some field trial champs have had qal's lots of dogs go through life without any problems if not severe,  best not to breed from them though
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: Aimeetess on November 22, 2017, 12:45:04 PM
Thanks Jeff,

I won't be breeding from him unless it straightens out, like the vet thinks it will but I'm not so sure.


A x
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: PennyB on November 24, 2017, 11:06:58 PM
My oldie working cocker girl has them - not severe but you can tell
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: its.sme on November 25, 2017, 08:17:08 AM
Thanks Jeff,

I won't be breeding from him unless it straightens out, like the vet thinks it will but I'm not so sure.


A x

Would his offspring still be affected and so possibly be worse off than him ?
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: Helen on November 25, 2017, 01:52:17 PM
I would never breed from a dog with QA legs

this is from a vet who breeds and works gundogs (Gillian Averis in her book "Veterinary Advice for Gundog Qwners")

"A lot of working dogs have poor elbows which turn out giving them a 'Queen Anne' front. They are more likely to be injured and it requires more energy from the dog in order to move, but most dogs cope with this handicap though they would be faster, and have a longer working life, if their conformation was correct"

A lot regard QA legs as a form of elbow dysplasia, a condition with a strong hereditary component, so I wouldn't ever want to pass it on. 

They are more prone to arthritis in those joints as well.

Basically I wouldn't breed from a dog without good conformation  :-\
Title: Re: Queen Annes Legs in Cockers
Post by: Helen on November 25, 2017, 01:53:39 PM
I have seen this on a couple of ess but personally never noticed it on cockers.

I've seen a fair few - strangely the majority of which are red/gold so some line must be throwing them.  I think we have one on her Beri or Bramble from a few years ago?