Printer Friendly  Dog Physiology - Level 1  How Dogs Move  Learn
the footfall patterns of the normal canine gaits and discover
which are most efficient. By M. Christine Zink, DVM, Ph.D.  With
the increasing numbers of dogs competing in performance events,
such as agility, and in fun casual physical activities, there’s
a developing interest in understanding exactly how dogs move.
Canine gaits are the foundation of all performance events. For
example, in conformation, dogs must move efficiently and
correctly in the ring. In agility and obedience, dogs use the
walk, trot and canter at different times; dogs that move
smoothly between gaits will perform better and be less likely to
suffer injuries.  By understanding the appearance of the normal
canine gaits, you can recognize a gait abnormality that might
indicate an injury or fatigue, and take timely actions, such as
resting the dog or making a veterinary appointment.  The Dog’s
Unique Gaits When studying how dogs move, it’s important not to
borrow too closely fr