The tarsus or collection of bones of the hind leg forming the joint between the second thigh and the metatarsus similar to the ankle in humans: The hocks are the joints located on the hind legs, similar to the ankles of a person.

The hocks are very important in the movement and stability of a dog.

An anatomical abnormality in dogs in which the ankle joins turn out, causing the feet to toe inward: The disorder of spread hocks can inhibit the mobility and ability of a dogs to do certain activities.

The joint on the hind limb, or leg, located between the lower thigh and the rear pastern: The hock joint is very complex and is made up of many bones, including the tibia, fibula, and the talus.

A dog walks on its toes like a horse, not the soles of his feet like a bear or a human. The human wrist is analogous to the canine pastern joint, the back of the hand is the dog's pastern, and the fingers form the dog's paws.