The muscles in the upper thigh of an adult male should be so massive that an average man's two hands cannot span them. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. When the dog is standing, the short, thick rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground and, viewed from the rear, parallel to each other. The feet are large, round and compact with well-arched toes and thick, elastic pads. Feet do not turn in or out.
Rear feet are just slightly longer than front feet.
Rear dewclaws may be removed. Flat or splayed feet. The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick and muscular at the base and tapers to the tip. When the dog is in repose, the tail just reaches to the hock.