The moving examination: four legs, lots of information!

At this request, you may be tempted to speed up to add some flair. Yet the right pace is the one that lets the dog show his natural gait, in line with his breed.

Movement completes the standing examination: the judge looks at how the dog uses his construction to move, with balance and ease. The FCI requires that every dog be able to demonstrate unimpeded locomotion. [1]

What does the judge look at?

When your dog moves away: the rear

The judge observes the movement of the hind legs, their footfall and their stability.

When your dog comes back: the front

They examine the movement of the front legs, in particular the path of the feet and how the elbows work.

When your dog goes past side-on: the whole picture

They assess the coordination between front and rear, the length of stride and the balance of the body in motion. These complementary views are part of the gait evaluation described by the American Kennel Club. [3] Everything is interpreted according to the breed standard. A spectacular gait is not automatically a correct gait: the judge must assess movement appropriate to the dog being examined. [2]

Why is the trot generally requested?

At the trot, the legs work in diagonal pairs: the left front with the right hind, then the reverse. This rhythm makes coordination easier to observe. [3]

The judge may ask for an up-and-back, a triangle or a lap of the ring. Always listen to their instruction: the route is there to give them the angles of view they need.

And what if your dog does a couple of bounds at the start? Calmly find the rhythm again. The rules are aimed in particular at situations where jumping or a refusal to move makes assessment impossible; a small isolated incident does not automatically mean "Cannot be judged". [1]

Beginner — 3 tips for finding your rhythm

1. Learn to recognise the trot

Ask someone to film you from the side. Check whether your dog trots steadily or alternates between walking, bounding and galloping.

Test small changes of speed until you find a comfortable pace. Depending on his size, you may walk briskly or jog gently beside him.

Your goal: a few steady strides, then a reward and a pause.

2. Give a clear direction

For the up-and-back, choose a marker in the line indicated by the judge and head towards it.

Avoid looking at your dog at every step: you risk zigzagging. Keep an eye on him while looking ahead.

3. Keep a soft hand

Adjust the length of the lead to guide your dog without pulling his head upwards.

The FCI requires a loose lead and forbids lifting the dog by the neck or tail. [1] In training, look for a dog who moves along with you without having to be towed.

Intermediate — 3 tips for a smoother route

1. Work on about-turns

A change of direction that is too sudden can break the rhythm or send the dog in front of your legs.

Slow down slightly, turn with enough room, then gradually pick your speed up again. Practise this transition separately from the rest of the route.

2. Let the dog look where he is going

A treat held near his nose can encourage him to stare at you, turn his head or drift sideways.

Work on enough attention to stay together, while leaving him a natural posture. Reward after a successful sequence rather than luring him constantly.

3. Protect your space in a group

Keep a distance that lets your dog trot without catching up with the one in front.

If space gets tight, follow the judge's instructions. Avoid sudden bursts of speed and improvised overtaking: they easily disrupt the rhythm.

Advanced — 3 tips for refining the gait

1. Link video to the standard

Read the "Gait" section of your breed's standard, then film your dog from the front, from behind and from the side.

Compare sequences taken at a steady speed. A single frozen image can give a misleading impression: watch several successive strides.

2. Adapt your pace to the ground

On a slippery floor, carpet or uneven grass, your dog may change his footing.

Spot the surface before your run and adjust your pace to keep movement safe and fluid. Don't try at all costs to reproduce the speed you use in training.

3. Tell presentation and locomotion apart

An imprecise path or a tight lead can be worked on. Lameness, persistent discomfort or breathing difficulty calls for a veterinary assessment.

If a movement seems unusual to you, stop looking for the "right speed" to make it disappear. The dog's welfare and ease are part of the official criteria. [1][2]

The benchmark to remember

Clear direction, steady rhythm, soft lead. With these three benchmarks, you help the judge observe your dog in good conditions.

The nine tips are practical recommendations. The FCI texts govern the rules cited; the AKC articles offer an educational perspective on observing movement, without replacing the FCI rules.