Contribution to the Understanding of Angulation in Three Sighthound Breeds

The present study investigated morphometric characteristics and the relationships between limb angulation and selected height parameters in three sighthound breeds: the Kazakh Tazy, Iranian Tazy, and Kyrgyz Taigan. A total of 86 adult dogs were included in the study: 29 Kazakh Tazies, 28 Iranian Tazies, and 29 Kyrgyz Taigans. The analyzed parameters included the shoulder, elbow, stifle, and hock joint angles, neck angle, croup angle, sternum apex height, and stifle joint height. Morphometric measurements were performed using standardized methods, while statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test, and multiple linear regression analysis. The results demonstrated breed-specific differences in several morphometric parameters. The Iranian Tazy showed generally more open limb angulations, whereas the Kyrgyz Taigan exhibited greater stifle joint height, likely reflecting adaptation to mountainous terrain and specific environmental conditions. Differences between males and females were generally small.Correlation and regression analyses revealed no statistically significant relationships between limb angulation and the analyzed height parameters. However, significant correlations were identified between certain joint angles, particularly between the hock joint angle and croup angle in the Kazakh Tazy, and between the stifle and hock joint angles in the Kyrgyz Taigan, indicating functional relationships within the locomotor system. The findings suggest that sighthound morphology represents a complex biomechanical system shaped by functional adaptation, environmental conditions, and locomotor demands.