The accuracy and reliability of linear measurements of the ulna for anthropometrical studies in dogs

This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of measuring the distance between two surface landmarks (the point of the tuber olecrani and the proximal aspect of the stopper pad) as an indication of ulna length in the live dog. It was found that the chosen skin landmarks did correlate well with the length of the ulna bone. The reliability of such measurements was high when performed by a single person, however this fell to unacceptable levels when multiple people were used to make the measurements. It was concluded that if this technique was to be used in studies to serially record the bone length in live growing dogs, then the measurements should be taken by a single person.