Many dog breeds have short legs. The Welsh Corgi, for example, stands only 10 to 12 inches. The short legs don’t hold the Corgi back, however, because Corgis can run and jump just as good as any other breed. Corgis were originally bred to herd sheep, and their short legs protect them from suffering kicks from an angry flock.
Small dogs with short legs are also adept at hunting small, burrowing animals like rabbits and moles. Short legs allow many breeds of dogs to traverse narrow pathways without sacrificing their strength. In the Dark and Middle Ages dogs with short legs were kept because of their ability to penetrate thick bushes during hunting expeditions.
Dachshunds were used by German foresters to track a variety of varmints including foxes, badgers, and wild boar. Beagles are also known to have short legs. For these dogs, the short limbs are often caused by poor breeding.
Though short-legged dogs can usually run and jump well, they shouldn’t be expected to keep up with taller, larger dogs, or running humans. Short legs can also affect a dog’s swimming ability. The Basset hound, for example, has such a long, heavy body that it should never be expected to swim.
Many times a short-legged breed will have trouble reaching their food and water bowls. This obstacle can be easily resolved with an elevated food bowl. These types of dogs may also find getting up steep stairs achallenge, and owners may want to try using ramps for elderly dogs.