Pets’ Anatomy: How Many Bones Does a Dog Have?

All dog breeds have between 319 and 321 bones in their skeleton. The main difference comes from the number of bones in their tails, meaning that dogs with short tails have fewer vertebrae than those with longer tails. Additionally, some breeds have extra toes (dewclaws) in the back legs.

Did you know this? 🤯 I was also surprised when I was counting my furry friend’s toes, lol.

Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s skeletons…

How Many Bones Does a Dog Have?

The dog’s skeleton system is constituted by 319 and 321 bones approximately. These are grouped into 3 sub-categories that are: Appendicular skeleton (bones of the limbs), Axial skeleton (bones in the skull, spine, sternum, and ribs) and the Visceral skeleton (smaller bones, such as those in the inner ear).

An approximate distribution of the dog’s bones is as follows:

• Dog’s skull: 50.
• Vertebral column: 50.
• Ribs and sternum: 34
• Heterotopic skeleton (baculum): 1
• Thoracic limb: 90
• Pelvic limb: 96

Common Bone Diseases In Dogs

Luxating Patella

It is when the patella (kneecap) pops out of its normal position within the groove of the femur (thigh bone) and causes temporary hopping but then usually goes back to its normal location as if nothing happened. 

Toys and small breeds such as Maltese, Chihuahua, French Poodle, and Bichon Frise are more prone to this condition because of a genetic predisposition.

Panosteitis

It is a painful inflammation of the long bones of the legs. It mostly affects large and giant breeds during the rapid growth phase, that’s why it is also known as “growing pains”. This condition is characterized by sudden and spontaneous lameness, that may go from one bone or leg to another, without an antecedent of trauma or excessive exercise. It goes on its own as the dog reaches skeletal maturity. 

Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD or OD)

It is an inflammatory condition that occurs when an abnormal development of cartilage separates from the bone. OCD usually develops in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, and causes limping, lameness, swollen and warm joints, and pain. 

This condition mostly affects large breeds during the rapidly growing phase, and often in male dogs. 

Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)

HOD is another disorder seen in rapidly growing large and giant breed pups. It causes inflammation of the growth plates in the long bones, which are areas of actively growing cartilage that later hardens into bones. Signs can include pain, fever, reduced appetite, fatigue, and reluctance to move.

Hip Dysplasia

The hip joint is formed by the head of the femur and a socket joint in the pelvis. Normally, during growth, both the ball and socket should grow equally. However, in patients with hip dysplasia, this does not happen, resulting in loose articulation. 

It is a genetic condition that can be triggered by diet, weight, exercise, muscle mass, and hormones. Mostly seen in larger dogs such as German shepherds, Saint Bernards, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Old English sheepdogs, and bulldogs.

A special note about Senior Dogs

Arthritis is the most prevalent bone disease among older pups, as it affects 80% of dogs over the age of 8. It can be caused by any of the bone conditions we have explained previously during puppyhood, or it can also develop after trauma. It is a painful and degenerative condition, but fortunately, there are many strategies to help your senior dog with arthritis.

Why do dogs have so many more bones than humans?

Humans have 206 bones. That is 113 – 115 fewer bones than dogs. This is easy to explain because dogs have more bones in their vertebral column and teeth compared to humans, and they also have happy tails!

In fact, there are many other differences between human and dog skeletons. Let’s see some fur facts:

Differences between Human and Dog’s Skeletons

• The number of bones— we already know this one by now.
• Bone distribution: Humans have 106 bones in their hands and feet, with 27 bones per hand and 26 bones per foot. Dogs, on the other hand, have fewer bones in their legs and paws. Most of their bones are vertebrates and teeth.
• Tail: Dogs have between 6 and 23 vertebrae in their tails
• Shoulder structure: Dogs have disconnected shoulders and do not have a collarbone. This allows for better shoulder movement and helps them run faster.
• Teeth: Dogs have 42 sharp and pointy teeth, which are ideal for ripping flesh from prey. Humans, on the other hand, have 32 teeth.

However, despite these differences, both human and dog skeletons serve similar functions, such as providing support, protecting vital organs, storing minerals, enabling movement, and facilitating hematopoiesis (blood production).

How many bones do puppies have?

The number of bones in a dog’s body remains relatively constant as they grow and develop. Therefore, puppies and adult dogs have the same number of bones in their skeleton— that is between 319 and 321.

The difference is that the bones in a puppy’s body are not fully fused together yet, and they have softer and more pliable cartilage, which allows for growth and flexibility. As the puppy matures into an adult dog, the bones will eventually fuse and harden, resulting in a stronger skeletal structure.

Puppies’ bones are also more fragile because they are less dense and prone to fractures. A dog’s skeletal system reaches maturity after puberty.

How many bones does a dog have in its tail?

Most dogs have from 6 to 23 vertebrae in their tails, depending on the tail length.

Some dog breeds are naturally tailless (e.g., Australian Shepherd or Pembroke Welsh Corgi), while others may have naturally shorter or longer tails.

The tail vertebrae, known as caudal vertebrae, are usually smaller and more flexible compared to the vertebrae in the spinal column. The number of tail vertebrae determines the length and mobility of a dog’s tail.

Do dogs have more bones than cats?

Yes! Cats have between 230 and 250 bones in their bodies, with an average of 244 bones, while dogs have between 319 and 321 bones.

But there are also similarities between both species. They have 2 main categories of bones: The appendicular skeleton composed of legs, arms, and feet bones, and the axial skeleton composed of head, neck, spine, and rib cage bones.

Cats also have variation in the number of bones between breeds because some have longer tails than others, and some have extra toes.

And both, male dogs and cats, have an extra bone in their penis called an os penis, that humans don’t have.

What animal has the most bones?

Phytons!! 🐍 These are giant snakes that can be over 20 feet long, and they have 1800 bones in their bodies! You can find them in nature in rainforests, grasslands, swamps, woodland, rocky outcrops, desert sand hills, or scrublands of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Final Thoughts

This is the end of the anatomy class for now 🤭. Hope you learned something new today and enjoyed reading this article as much as I did writing it.

I will leave my notes here:

• Dogs have between 319 and 321 bones in their body, depending on the length of the tail and the number of toes.
• A dog’s tail can have anywhere between 6 and 26 bones.
• Puppies and adult dogs have the same range of number of bones, with the difference that puppies’ bones are not fully fused yet.
• Dogs have more bones than humans and cats. Humans have 206 bones, while cats have between 230 and 250.
• Phytons are the vertebrates with the most number of bones in their body: 1800 bones.

Related Articles:

• How to Help a Senior Dog with Arthritis
• Comprehensive Guide to Senior Dog Dental Care
• Best Joint Supplements for Senior Dogs
• Is Your Senior Dog Suffering from a Hunched-Back? Find out how you can support them