Bow legged in front: a conformational fault of the forelimbs when viewed from the front. An imaginary line dropped from the shoulder passes through the medial portion of the carpal joint; the carpal deviates laterally, also known as a varus deformity.

Bow legged behind: a conformational fault of the hindlimb when viewed from behind. An imaginary line dropped from the point of the buttocks passes medially to the hock; the hock deviates laterally (hock varus).