Difference between dogs Pacing, Trotting, & Galloping

[binkerduster]

Very interesting! I have recently picked up on this with my spanish catalan sheepdog, he paces most of the time when walking and trotting. My staffyx whippet, tends to pace when walking slowly, which in her case is very rare and she then goes into a normal trot pace. No injuries are apparent but he has a high hip score and so could be at risk for HD?

[careanimalclinic]

The first pacing is ambling being defined as rear foot leaves the ground first. It requires slow motion to see this. The third clip is a canter... it doesn't look like it is circular but a cross canter. The "run" is the gallop in the dog where twice in a cycle all feet are off the ground together.

[grackle67]

Thanks for the info! I have a three year old lab...I just had him to the breeder and she picked up that he was pacing...I had not noticed but then again I am not normally looking at him from the side. It is good to know that there are dogs that are sound that pace normally....keeping fingers crossed the my guys xrays come back clear.

[mariah1397]

@grackle67 Good luck, hope everything goes well!

[grackle67]

Would love to know if you dog has any ortho problems....I just was told my dog paces and that is is not a normal gait for a dog and that he must have a problem. Would love to know if there are dogs that "pace" naturally and not because of pain.

[mariah1397]

@grackle67 Nope, no ortho problems with Tiger.. though, I think older dogs tend to pace more often instead of trot (if your dog is older). Some breeds also tend to pace more often than others.. I wouldn't be worried as long as your dog isn't limping.

BTW -- I am the poster of this video, just logged onto my new account.

[boswell255]

This just settled a bet with a friend of mine! ... i lost :(

I was convinced dogs didn't move they're legs in parallel like a camel, I assumed they'd sway.