Dog Gait or Movement Terminology
The gait or movement of dogs is a complex subject as different breeds move in different ways. Some of these gaits are exaggerations from the normal like the Miniature Pinscher with its hackney gait, the Afghan Hound with its style of high order and the Old English Sheepdog with its amble or pace. Additionally some breeds are capable of a double suspension gallop. This section describes some of the different types of movement found in different breeds of dogs.
Trot with balanced 'Reach' and 'Drive'
This Airedale Terrier is moving at a trot similar to that of a trotting horse. The front legs move like the pendulum of a clock and the topline remains level. The forward movement of the front legs is called 'reach' and the backwards movement of the hind legs is called 'drive'. Correctly balanced movement at a trot is when the reach equals the drive as shown in the accompanying diagram.
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The Unique Gait of the Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has a unique specialized gait described in its Breed Standard as ‘smooth and springy with a style of high order’. The Afghan’s typical effortless, graceful but unique gait is correctly achieved by the exaggeration of these three components:
- Longer bones with more muscle strength in both front and rear assemblies relative to its body weight compared to that of a normally built dog, giving the hound power to have definite spring in its gait.
- Greater reach and drive in both the front and rear assemblies than is shown for ‘balanced reach and drive’ in the example of the Airedale above. This requires greater flexibility in the pastern which acts as a shock absorber to cushion the greater reach and drive as well as the spring. When combined with an equivalent flexibility in the hock joint and length from hip to hock, the hound is able to move gracefully and smoothly.
- Higher head and tail carriage compared to a normally built dog, giving the Afghan its proud carriage or style of high order.
This unique combination produces the co-ordinated smooth and springy gait with the style of high order so admired in an Afghan Hound.
Hackney Gait
The name hackney gait derives its name from the hackney horse. At a trot, this hackney gait is an exaggerated high knee and hock action due to very good flexion of the joints. This action should be straight and true with a distinct pause or moment of suspension at the top of each stride. The front legs should reach up high with sharply bent knees that are stretched well forward with a ground covering stride. Combine this with a similar high stepping action of the hind legs that are well propelled underneath the dog with a similar exaggeration, we have the hackney gait. Whilst correct for a Miniature Pinscher, it is incorrect when seen in other breeds.
Pace or Amble
A Pace or Amble is when two legs on one side move together and then the two legs on the other side move together. This is in contrast to legs on the same side moving in opposite directions as shown by the balanced reach and drive of the Airedale and Afghan Hound above.
While this gait is typical of the Old English Sheepdog pictured here, it is incorrect gait for the show ring in other breeds.
Double Suspension Gallop
This is the gait typical of hounds like the Borzoi pictured. Here the front legs extend between the back legs when the dog is in full stride in a series of gigantic leaps which leave the dog totally air borne.