Hi
Does anyone have any experience of a dog with a floating rib?  I am considering taking on an 8 month pup that was born with a floating rib on the near side.  There is no impact on her performance, energy levels etc and her own vet said it was of no significance.  Has anyone had any experiences to the contrary?  Also, (purely out of interest as I don't show) would a floating rib count against her in the show ring?

Cheers

Also, (purely out of interest as I don't show) would a floating rib count against her in the show ring?

It would in a breed like Bassets where this can be a problem in the breed yes.  Most seminars I've attended on the Basset Hound make a point of explaining to judges new to the breed that flaoting ribs should be considered a fault... obviously you judge the dog as a whole.

Debs

Hi Debs
Thanks for your info....the breed is not Basset.  However, other than being deemed a 'fault' conformationally have you ever known of floating rib to cause any problems medically/performance wise?Many thanks.

All dogs have two floating ribs (the last two)

Hi
OK....now I feel a right numbskull, having read your reply and done a Google.   :-)  Help me! on the near (left) side the last rib was definately shorter than its counterpart on the right side.  It's end was smooth and round - no sharp edges!  I am not that clued up on canine anatomy, but from my equine knowledge assumed that the cartilaginours part was missing.  However, didn't appreciate then that all dogs have a floating rib.  So..............any ideas as to what this may be?

Thanks.   

GUnner I hav a dog like this.  Have to go now but will reply again later about it :)

Hi
As someone has already said all dogs; in fact all mammals have floating ribs. They are more prominent in some breeds and can move around more in energetic dogs thus varying on a day to day basis. My bitch regularly gets placed at shows and her rib can be very noticeable. Apparently it is possible to manipulate it so that it is not noticeable but I have never tried - sometimes it's visible sometimes it's not. I think if you are wanting to show then how close the pup matches the breed standard is more important and of course the nature of the dog.
Hope this helps