Walk |
1 One rear foot 2 Ipsilateral( same side) front foot 3 Other rear foot 4 Front foot on that side |
1 RR 2 RF 3 LR 4 LF |
Two or three feet are on the ground at any given time. Only canine gait in which there are ever three feet on the ground. |
Amble |
1 One rear foot 2 Quickly followed by the ipsilateral front foot 3 Other rear foot 4 Quickly followed by the front foot on that side( Begins to appear as if the ipsilateral feet are moving forwards together) |
1 RR 2 RF 3 LR 4 LF |
A faster form of the walk but not the preferred gait. Moments when three feet are on the ground can be observed on close inspection or in a slow-motion video. Very inefficient gait. The rear end sways from side to side; the rear feet are not lifted very high and often scuff along the ground, wasting horizontal energy. |
Pace |
1 Ipsilateral legs move forwards together while the other two legs bear weight 2 Moment when the body is suspended in the air 3 Other two legs move forwards together( Only two feet on the ground at any given time) |
1 RF – RR 2 No ground contact 3 LF – LR |
Abnormal gait for all dog breeds. Very inefficient gait: the centre of gravity keeps shifting from side to side; energy is expended to recentre the weight. Cannot respond quickly when a change in speed is required. Wide range of speeds for movement is unavailable unless the dog slows to an amble or speeds up to a trot. |
Trot |
1 Two contralateral( opposite side) front and rear feet move forwards 2 Movement when the body is suspended in the air 3 Other contralateral front and rear feet move forwards together |
1 RF – LR 2 No ground contact 3 LF – RR |
Most effective gait. Often the gait of choice for gait evaluation. The front and rear legs must support the body without help from the opposite legs. |
Rotary canter |
1 One rear foot 2 Both feet on the other side move together 3 Other front foot( Different lead legs in the front and rear) |
1 RR 2 LR – LF 3 RF |
Predominant canter in dogs( used in about 90 % of cantering). Allows very sharp turns with greater drive from the rear. Referred to as cross-cantering in horses. |
Transverse canter |
1 One rear foot 2 Other rear foot and contralateral front foot move together 3 Other front foot( Same side leads in the front and rear) |
1 RR 2 LR – RF 3 LF |
Less effective gait for dogs than the rotary canter. Used in only about 10 % of cantering. Used predominantly by horses. |
Rotary gallop |
1 Spine flexes with both rear feet on the ground; the lead foot is slightly ahead of the other 2 Spine extends, stretching front feet forwards, which hit the ground at the same time, one slightly ahead of the other, with the lead front leg on the opposite side of the lead rear leg 3 Spine flexes to bring the rear feet forward( different lead legs in the front and rear) |
1 RR – LR 2 LF – RF 3 RR – LR |
Preferentially used by dogs. |
Transverse gallop |
1 Spine flexes with both rear feet on the ground; the lead foot is slightly ahead of the other 2 Spine extends, stretching the front feet forwards, which hit the ground at the same time, one slightly ahead of the other, with the lead front leg on the same side as the lead rear leg 3 Spine flexes to bring the rear feet forwards( the same side leads in the front and rear) |
1 RR – LR 2 RF – LF 3 RR – LR |
Uncommon in dogs. Gallop used by horses. |