Gaits: learning to read movement

Gaits are the different ways a dog organises its limbs to move. At a show, observing them lets you assess its coordination, its balance and the movement characteristics expected in its breed.

Recognising the main gaits

Gait	How to recognise it
The walk	The feet land one after the other, in a four-beat rhythm.
The trot	The limbs move in diagonal pairs: left front with right hind, then the reverse.
The pace	The limbs on the same side move together: left side, then right side.
The gallop	A fast gait, with a succession of footfalls and phases of suspension.

These pointers are described in the American Kennel Club's official glossary. [1]

The trot is generally used for the presentation in movement. Among other things, it lets you observe the coordination between front and rear. [2]

Careful: a transition to pacing or a few strides at the gallop isn't enough to identify a structural fault. You need to watch several sequences, take the conditions into account and check the standard.

What is a good gait?

There is no single ideal movement that is the same for every breed.

The judge looks for movement that matches the standard, with a dog able to move without difficulty. The FCI asks for a balanced whole both standing and moving. [3]

For example, the German Shepherd standard describes a steady trot with long reach, without apparent effort and without noticeable movement of the topline. [4]

This pointer applies to that breed: you shouldn't expect every dog to reproduce its movement.

A few useful words

Reach: the length of the stride.
Drive: the action of the hindquarters that helps propel the body forward.
Coordination: the way the front and the rear work together.
Regularity: the consistency of the rhythm over several strides.

A gait can look spectacular and yet be poorly suited to the standard. Faster and longer doesn't automatically mean better.

Beginner — 3 tips to find your feet

1. Learn to recognise the trot

Have your dog filmed from the side over a short run. Look at the diagonal pairs, in slow motion if necessary.

Start by telling the trot apart from the walk and the gallop. You'll then understand more easily what is happening in the ring.

Your exercise: spot a few strides of steady trot in a video.

2. Find a comfortable speed

Try small changes of pace on a straight line. Look for a speed at which your dog trots easily, without being pulled along or having to catch up with you.

Depending on its size and stride, you may walk briskly or jog gently beside it.

3. Keep the lead loose

Go with its movement without artificially lifting its head.

The FCI asks for a natural presentation on a slack lead and forbids pulling the dog upwards by the neck or the tail. [3]

Intermediate — 3 tips to gain consistency

1. Work on starts and changes of direction

A rushed start or a tight turn can break the trot.

Practise gradual starts and turns that are wide enough. Reward your dog when it calmly finds its rhythm again.

2. Watch from several angles

Film from the side, then from the front and the back. Each view gives different information.

Watch several strides in a row: a frozen frame can give a misleading impression of a limb's position.

3. Keep a natural posture

Avoid holding a treat near its nose for the whole run: your dog may turn its head or change its path to follow it.

Work on an attention that lets it stay with you while still looking where it's going.

Advanced — 3 tips to refine your analysis

1. Link your observations to the standard

Note the exact terms in the “Gait” section of your breed's standard.

For each one, work out what you can observe in a video sequence. If a term remains unclear, ask a judge or an instructor who knows the breed to explain it.

2. Change one variable at a time

To understand an irregularity, compare runs on the same surface, at a similar speed and on a loose lead.

Then change just one element. You'll find it easier to tell what comes from the pace, the handling or the environment.

3. Separate training from physical discomfort

An imprecise path can be worked on. Lameness, a persistent asymmetry or difficulty breathing deserves a vet's opinion.

Don't increase the speed to make discomfort disappear visually. Mobility and breathing without difficulty are part of the official requirements. [3]

The pointer to remember

First learn to recognise the gait, then to appreciate its quality according to the breed.

Your role is to help your dog show its natural movement, at a suitable pace and with smooth handling.

The nine tips are practical recommendations. The FCI texts set the rules cited; the AKC resources provide definitions and teaching explanations.