Forging on today, I think I have a slightly better understanding of how to put the scapula and humerus in relation to the rib cage; they are the bones that support the muscles right up between the front legs.

Starting point for the femur seems to be roughly halfway along the ribcage. It sort of matches up with what I see with live wolves; the rear haunches have a distinct region of non-movement, which seems to fit what I'm seeing in the skeleton.

I hope to further split the combined paw/metatarsal/carpal combination as I see distinct shifts of form in that region, and that would warrant it's own bone structure, me thinks.