BACK: The portion of the topline between the loin and the withers.
CROUP: The muscular area above and around where the tail connects to the body.
DEWCLAW: A fifth claw which is located in the inside of the front feet, and is higher than the other toes. Some dewclaws are removed as a puppy to prevent injuries (dewclaws can get ripped or torn – always keep your golden’s dewclaws trimmed short).
HOCK: The joint on the rear of the back legs, between the rear pastern and stifle.
LOIN: The section of the body located on both sides of the backbone between the ribs and the hips.
MUZZLE: The front part of the jaws.
PASTERN: The section of the leg below the knee of the front leg or below the hock of the hind leg.
STIFLE: The knee joint of the hind leg. “Hindquarter Angulation” refers to the angle formed at this joint.
STOP: The frontal portion of the skull between the eyes and the top of the head.
WITHERS: Located just behind the base of the neck. A dog’s height is measured at the withers.
