I can see the advantage in a dogs front feet turning out a little (better balance & more drive especially moving from side to side) like for example: the dog suddenly changing direction, therefore I see the dogs feet turning out 'slightly' as a good thing (advantageous) as like we see in many working breeds where their feet turn out slightly.

However, when a dogs front feet are facing more inwards (more towards each other) then in regards to moving from side to side and/or changing direction, with the leg that their pushing off from, the foot is facing inward which results in the dogs foot getting turned inward even more putting a ton of pressure on the dogs legs/joints etc, and stripping the dog of all his/her potential drive & power also, with more likelihood of the dog injuring himself/herself.

Over the years I have seen the occasional German Shepherd dog (like out on walks for example) with this serious fault (front feet turning inwards) just wanted to post this on here to hopefully highlight the seriousness of this particular fault and how it affects a dogs well being, and I just wondered if this fault has been seen in many other breeds as well ....?

In many breeds you don't want feet which turn in or out. Both are faults. You want straight legs and feet. Is there a breed you've seen where they are supposed to be ten to two as they are called (feet turning out), can't see how this would benefit any working dog compared to straight legs and feet

I agree Sue, feet facing forward is o.k. The dogs feet facing outwards 'slightly' would be more akin to 'five to one' (on a watch/clock) and there has to be a degree of flexibility in the dogs pasterns also, so that a dog is not too rigid in this area.

Dogs feet turning more towards each other (even slightly) will affect the way a dog moves from side to side.

Also, there are some dogs that have straight front legs & feet that can turn out a little (five to one) when the dog is sitting/standing relaxed, which I believe is o.k. in my honest opinion.

Saluki, Ibizan Hound and basset standard allows some slight turning out of frount feet

I've only seen it in some photos of exotic American bullies.

Saluki, Ibizan Hound and basset standard allows some slight turning out of frount feet

Makes perfect sense to me Jo for a dogs feet to turn out 'slightly' especially when the dog is standing relaxed.

Wolves feet also turn out slightly when their relaxed and there is good reason for this, here's what it says about Wolves,

"Wolves have four toes on each paw, as well as another toe, the dew claw higher up on the front legs. The structural dynamic of inward-turning elbows and outward-turning paws results in a highly efficient gait that puts little or no stress on the shoulders"

> and basset standard allows some slight turning out of frount feet

For sure, but that's turning out, not in.   'Most' breeds call for straight front legs, with no turning out, or in in the front legs.   The problem would be affecting, or affected by? the elbows.     My current Basset turns out too much because he had premature closure of the growth plates, another Basset probem  LOL.   Noel Fitz corrects this 'turning out' fault frequently but I've never seen him to a turning in op.  The Breed Standard allows some turning out, as the front legs should wrap round the deep chest.

its sad to hear about problems in Bassets M.B. as with many other breeds including breeds that I absolutely love like German Shepherds, I have had the pleasure of meeting Bassets while out on walks and they are nice friendly little dogs, it just breaks my heart when I hear the various health problems within a number of breeds. All breeds need to be bred to be the best they can be (physically healthy).

@ compassion.   Compared to other breeds, happily the Basset isn't that bad.   It is however, a 'man-made' breed, bred from the same root as the Bloodhound (The St.Hubertus Hound), breeding the smallest to the smallest until a hound that allowed hunters to hunt on foot not on horseback.   And the breed is no longer on the KC At Risk list which related to excessive haw and meant BOBs had to be checked by the vet on duty at each show, before they were passed to go into the Group.   It is however, a breed which is a challenge to breeders, particulasrly when it comes to shoulder placement.   In recent years exaggeration has been too often rewarded in the ring although again, the Breed Standard was updated (wording) to try to prevent such exaggeration.   Dwarfism does tend to have it's problems however.

I'm glad you meet some that are as they should be.   I'd not call them little however -  my current lad weighs in at 35 kg.

It is however, a breed which is a challenge to breeders, particulasrly when it comes to shoulder placement.   In recent years exaggeration has been too often rewarded in the ring although again, the Breed Standard was updated (wording) to try to prevent such exaggeration.

I found this pic in the link below M.B. she looks quite good to me in regards to being less exaggerated, I seen other photo's of Bassets that I would rather not post on here, one in particular showed the dogs 'you know what' actually touching the ground simply because his legs looked too short, but as he is someones beloved pet I would prefer not to comment on such photo's.

https://ifokus-assets.se/uploads/621/621f5d9610d33952678194cc2a8f1d48/basset-artesien-normand-15152.jpg

The Basset linked here is a Basset Artesien-Normand, as stated.   Not 'a Basset'.   She's way too long in the leg for the Breed.  Years ago, another was one of 3 imported into the UK, Grims Ulema de Barly.

https://www.facebook.com/Ambrican/photos/grims-ulema-de-barly-basset-artesian-normand-sire-sans-souci-de-boucevillex-dam-/572447199468520/
This dog was influential within the Breed at a time when the gene pool was reduced.

This was one of my hounds, bred in Canada and she came home with us, and our other hounds at the time, taking her UK title.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/basset_hound/dog.html?id=843213-verulam-morgan-le-fay

Nice pics M.B. I can see why you like Bassets, they are nice