Heelwork walking is a command that competitive obedience and working dogs are trained to perform. Unlike other canine sports, the research for competitive obedience sport is limited and no research regarding biomechanical gait adaptions during heelwork walking has been published. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in vertical ground reaction forces, paw pressure distribution (PPD), and center of pressure (COP) of Belgian Malinois during heelwork walking. Ten healthy Belgian Malinois were included in the study. The dogs walked first without heeling (normal walk) and then while heeling on a pressure platform. The comparison between normal and heelwork walking was performed using mixed-effects models. Post-hoc analyses were performed using Sidak's alpha correction procedure. During heelwork walking, a significant decrease in the vertical impulse and stance phase duration (SPD) and a significant increase in the craniocaudal index and speed of COP was observed in the forelimbs compared to normal walking. At the hindlimbs, a significant increase in vertical impulse and SPD was observed during heelwork walking. Regarding PPD, a significant decrease of vertical impulse was observed at the cranial quadrants of the right forelimb and craniolateral quadrant of the left forelimb during heelwork. The area was significantly decreased at the craniolateral quadrant of the left forelimb and the time for the peak vertical force was prolonged significantly at the caudal quadrants of the right forelimb during heelwork walking. The vertical impulse was significantly increased in all quadrants of the hindlimbs except the craniolateral quadrant of the left hindlimb. The effect of these changes on the musculoskeletal system of working dogs should be investigated in further studies, using electromyography and kinematic analysis.

ObjectiveTo describe a caudomedial instrumental portal for caudal pole meniscectomy (CPM).Study designExperimental ex‐vivo study.Sample populationTen cadaveric hindlimbs of 10 large breed dogs.MethodsEach hindlimb was used for establishing the caudomedial portal for CPM. The surgical time was recorded. Specimens were disarticulated afterwards, and the completeness of CPM was documented. Iatrogenic injuries to the articular cartilage and the intra‐ and periarticular structures were assessed.ResultsThe extent of the CPM (mean ± SD, percentage of the resected medial meniscus) was 29.8 ± 12.9% of the area of the medial meniscus. There were no injuries to the medial collateral ligament or caudal cruciate ligament. The mean iatrogenic articular cartilage injury (IACI) was 3.71 ± 1.78% of the area of the medial meniscus.ConclusionThe establishment of a caudomedial portal for CPM in canine cadavers was feasible and allowed to perform a partial caudal pole meniscectomy.Clinical significanceA caudomedial portal may be considered for CPM in selected cases when caudal tears cannot be accessed through the standard portals.