The Skeleton and Bones

The skeleton. The axis of the skeleton is the spine, or vertebral column, made up of different types of vertebrae. Attached to the spinal column are 13 ribs, ten of which are connected by the sternum to form the rib cage. The skull is joined to the first cervical vertebra, the atlas, which is in turn joined to the next vertebra with a pivoting joint that allows the head to turn in every direction about the axis formed by these two vertebrae.

- The hind limbs. The hind limbs provide power for locomotion. They are attached to the pelvis at the hip joint. The pelvis is connected to the vertebral column by a complex system of ligaments. The forelegs, which play a less important role in locomotion, are attached to the vertebral column by the scapula and its adjacent muscles.

- The bones. The bones consist of a calcified fibrous structure. Calcification occurs progressively during fetal development and growth. Since the growth period is very long for large-breed puppies, careful attention should be paid to calcium supplements in the food, in order to avoid deficiencies or overconsumption. Throughout a dog's life, the calcium in its bones provides a calcium reserve that increases or decreases according to the amount of calcium in the blood, which remains constant. The center of the bones contains bone marrow, a spongy tissue that produces red corpuscles.

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