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Breed Standards For Gaiting

Where can you find them?

UKC Bench Show Rules:

30. "Dogs must be evaluated both while gaited and shown on the bench. In order to properly evaluate the coonhound, the dog must be compared to the standard on the bench to assess its conformation and then gaited to determine the efficiency and athleticism of the dog’s locomotion."

You can take that for what it is worth... sounds like a lawyer wrote that rule...!

Yep, leaves a little room don't it.

Male dog tries to water the flower pot at AO's he gets docked for throwing a hind leg as he gaits. LOL

Ops!!!!

Don't go there.

__________________
SHAWNEE HILL'S BLACK AND TANS

quote:

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Originally posted by Dale Young
Yep, leaves a little room don't it.

Male dog tries to water the flower pot at AO's he gets docked for throwing a hind leg as he gaits. LOL

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__________________
Milarken Kennels
Home of;
Ch. Milarkens Dog Of interest(Pita)
Milarkens Coronet. Bleu(Gandalf)
Milarkens Army of 12 Monkees(Pippin)
Gone but not forgotten
Grfch. Grch. Milarkens Reevewood Shi-Ster
Ch. Milarkens Sportie Shortie

what about the dog that just moseys along and still wins. every dog that just moseys will not move correctly. it will throw a leg out etc. why do judges (& that term is used very loosely) not care? why is the reason for not choosing a particular dog because the toe was turned? everythign else perfect? i think all ?KC's need to re-evaluate some of their judges, esp ones that have held license for a long time. things have changed, standards have changed, but they have not. jmo tho.

DITTO i would rather have 1 judging than show against me
lessons dont come cheap.

Gait refers to a pattern of limb actions that an animal uses repetitively during locomotion. Among different animals and within an individual animal over time, one can expect to see a variety of locomotion patterns. Usually, however, a particular gait pattern can be identified as an expression of one of the basic gait types. Types of gaits recognized in cursorial quadrupeds include: walk (& amble), trot, pace (rack), canter, and gallop.

The canter and gallop are regarded as asymmetrical gaits because right and left limbs have different actions (the actions are not mirror images). Asymmetric gaits favor turning toward one side or the other, and an animal is said to be in a "right/left lead" according to which side it is predisposed to turn toward, at the canter or gallop. Animals control which lead they are using, and they switch leads to suit external circumstances or to minimize fatigue.

Though quadrupeds have just a few defined gaits, an individual animal may exhibit great variation in gait. Some of the variation is due to species or breed conformation differences, some is due to training, experience, or health status, some is due to terrain, emotional status, degree of exhaustion, etc. Ultimately, an animal can be expected to choose a gait variation that is the most convenient under existing circumstances.

As you begin to study the limb patterns that.

Locomotion and diet are linked in evolution. Carnivores require multipurpose limbs (used for both running & manipulation); whereas, herbivore limbs, devoted entirely to running, can be more specialized for locomotion. Herbivores with roughage diets and bulky abdominal visceral have less flexible trunks and rely more on limb elongation. Carnivores are fast because they have flexible trunks, which is possible because they have a small-volume meat diet (which is why they need multipurpose limbs in the first place).

Biomechanical Considerations
Cursorial quadrupeds are designed for forward locomotion and they have relative difficulty moving backwards. The normal center of gravity (CG) is located just caudal to the thoracic limbs. The CG can be shifted forward by lowering the head and neck and backward by raising the head. Moving the head to the side shifts the CG laterally. The tail (depending on its length and mass) also contributes to longitudinal and lateral shifts in the CG.

Forward motion is generally initiated by one hind limb, which shifts the CG forward and toward the contralateral forelimb (which reaches forward to support the shifted CG). At slow gaits (walk) the CG rhythmically oscillates left/right and the trunk, head, and tail swing from side to side to maintain equilibrium. At rapid gaits, forward momentum and inertia are increased and there is less lateral oscillation (just like a bicycle). As speed increases, fewer limbs provide simultaneous support and the "feet" impact the ground nearer the median plane to maintain balance during propulsion.

The pelvic limbs are designed for propulsion. They accelerate the CG forward and upward. Pelvic limbs are relatively long and angular, heavily muscled, and connected directly to the vertebral column (coxofemoral and sacroiliac joints). Epaxial muscle contraction assists in elevating the CG. Locomotion proceeds by repetitively throwing the CG forward and then catching it. Elevation of the CG is necessary to extend the duration of forward motion which is temporally limited by the pull of gravity.

The thoracic limbs are designed for support (catching the CG). Relative to pelvic limbs, they are shorter and straighter and connected to the trunk by fibro-muscular attachments. They regularly provide upward propulsion and directional stability, but they contribute to forward propulsion only under certain circumstances (when retracting in contact with the ground while forward of the CG; when the animal is pulling a load that shifts the CG caudally).

Energy conservation. Both fore and hind limbs are designed to recapture some of the energy expended in elevating the trunk to counteract gravity. The weight of the falling trunk does work in stretching limb muscles and ligaments (storing potential energy) which can rebound (become kinetic energy) to elevate the trunk as the CG passes forward of the weight bearing limb. Due to elastic rebound, galloping gaits are metabolically more economical (less oxygen consumption) than the trot gait at high speeds.

Gait velocity. During locomotion each limb is swung forward and then retracted to contact the ground. As gait velocity increases, limbs are increasingly flexed during forward swing to decrease angular mass and facilitate speed of protraction. Ideally, at the moment of paw/hoof impact with the ground, the velocity of limb retraction should equal the forward speed of the animal (i.e., the speed with which the ground is receding). Thus the paw/hoof would impact the ground at zero velocity which minimizes potentially traumatic accelerations.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The walk is the least-tiring gait. It is a four-beat gait, in which each limb steps (lift/swing/support/thrust) sequentially. Several types of "walk" are recognized, based on variations in limb support, stride length, and step speed:

In the normal walk, two limbs alternate with three limbs in supporting body weight. Thus, eight different combinations of limb support occur during one stride: four combinations of three-leg support interspersed with four combinations of alternating two-leg support (right/left diagonal & right/left lateral support). For each limb, the duration of support exceeds that of swing.

The neck and head are lowered during forelimb swing and raised during forelimb support phases. The trunk undulates laterally as well as vertically, and the tail and head swing toward the side being laterally supported. Stride length is such that the hind paw approximately overlays the site occupied by the ipsilateral fore paw. If the dog is slow to lift its fore paw when placing its hind paw, interference can result (forcing the dog to side-step).

The power walk (see Power Walk) is used when pulling a load. Steps are shorter and slower and three-leg support predominates. Thus the phases of two-leg support are absent (or very brief) and lateral oscillation of the head and tail is unnecessary. The head may be lowered to shift the center of gravity forward, counteracting a load effect. The fore limbs contribute significantly to propulsion (vs. just hind limbs in the other walk gaits)

In the quick walk (see Amble), swing and support phases of a step are equivalent in duration. No more than two limbs simultaneously support body weight (diagonal support alternates with lateral support). The hind paw impacts in front of the impact site of the fore paw. The quick walk is also known as "running walk", "slow amble", & "long-striding walk". The Tennessee Walking Horse specializes in a quick walk (amble).

Other variations of the walk are seen in trained animals (e.g., dressage horses and Hackney ponies), in exhausted animals, and in animals with conformation deficiencies.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The slow amble (running walk; quick walk) is essentially an accelerated walk, but the limbs move in more rapid succession. It has four beats and the same sequence of limb impact as the walk. A typical stride cycle would be, e.g., right diagonal, left lateral, left diagonal, and right lateral.

In a fast amble the support is alternately one limb and two limbs. The support pattern in a typical stride cycle would be, e.g., right fore, right diagonal, left hind, left lateral, left fore, left diagonal, right hind, right lateral.

The elephant is used to illustrate a slow amble because that is an elephant's natural brisk gait. The amble is also a common gait for horses; in particular, the Tennessee Walking Horse employs it in association with long stride lengths. The amble is an unusual gait for dogs. They use it only briefly as a transition gait.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The trot is a two-beat gait. Right and left diagonals alternate in supporting weight, i.e., the right forelimb and left hind limb move in unison as do left forelimb and right hind limb. The diagonal is named for the involved forelimb (right/left).

Actually, the hind limb of the diagonal impacts slightly earlier than the fore limb, though they appear to impact simultaneously. The hind limb provides both vertical and forward propulsion. The trunk is carried rigidly, undergoing only vertical oscillations, and the neck and head are fixed in an upright position during the trot.

In the running trot (quick trot; brisk trot; flying trot) a suspension phase intervenes between each diagonal support phase. As the stride is lengthened in the running trot, interference can become a problem (the hind paw hits the ipsilateral forelimb). To avoid interference, the fore paw must be lifted before the ipsilateral hind paw arrives, or the hind paw must land to the side of the fore paw, or the animal must resort to crab-running (trunk at an angle to the line of progression).

In a slow trot, the suspension phase is absent, so the body is always supported by one diagonal or the other. If the support phase is prolonged and the swing phase is shortened, three-limb support may intervene between the diagonal support phases.

The trot is a common gait in all domestic quadrupeds. It is well-suited for rough, irregular ground and for traveling long distances at a fair rate of speed. Work is spread evenly over all four limbs, and diagonal support makes it easy to maintain equilibrium. The trot is the natural foraging gait of most wild animals.

Relative to other quadrupeds, the dog exhibits a greater variety of trot variations (dog-trot; thrown trot; swung trot). In a "dog-trot", the forelimb precedes the hindlimb at impact and lift. The German Shepherd typically exhibits suspension (running trot; flying trot) when it trots. It's long body and low center of gravity of precludes interference and the need for compensatory crab-running. The running trot is used by racing Standardbred horses. Interference is avoided by developing a long-bodied (long-coupled) horse, or the problem is minimized by using protective shoes.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The pace is a two-beat gait. The two lateral limbs are used alternately for weight support, i.e., the left forelimb and left hindlimb move in unison, as do both right limbs. The forelimb may cycle slightly earlier than the ipsilateral hindlimb.

A short period of suspension typically intervenes between the alternating phases of lateral support, particularly at increased speed (flying pace). At slow speeds (slow pace) the support phases increase in duration and diagonal support patterns may intervene between periods of lateral support (when a contralateral forelimb lands before the ipsilateral limbs lift). The rack gait is a rapid pace where the two ipsilateral limbs land separately instead of together, producing a four beat gait. It is a speciality gait of Racking Horses.

The trunk undergoes lateral oscillation in the pace as right and left limbs impact the ground beside a center line. Equilibrium is good with the pace, although the gait is not as stable as the trot. It seems to require less muscular exertion than the trot (less vertical oscillation).

The pace is uncommon among domestic quadrupeds, but it is a good endurance gait. Dogs and other domestic animals generally pace because of fatigue or a physical weakness. Dogs that are obese or out of condition often pace rather than trot. Also, dogs that have problems with interference, may find that it is easier to pace than to crab-run.

Puppies and foals often pace until their muscles are better developed, at which point they switch to the trot. The pace is a natural rapid gait for the camel, giraffe, elephant and bear. Some Standardbred horses pace naturally, others are trained to pace.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The canter (sustained gallop; slow gallop; middle gallop) is a three-beat gait that includes a period of suspension at fast speeds. The sequence of limb impact on the ground is 1-2-1: a hindlimb, then a diagonal, followed by a forelimb, and, when present, suspension.

The canter is an asymmetrical gait, i.e., limb patterns are different on the right and left sides. The dog is said to be "leading to the right/left" according to which forelimb is in the lead. The leading forelimb is the one that is not part of the diagonal (the one that lifts off just before suspension, at a fast canter). The leading limb bears weight for a longer period of time than the other forelimb.

When moving in a circular path, a quadruped nearly always leads with the forelimb closest to the center of the circle (otherwise it is more likely to trip). This is because the contralateral hindlimb shifts the animal's center of gravity laterally (toward the center of the circle) as well as forward. On a straight path, a dog will normally shift leads to alleviate fatigue or in preparation for turning.

The canter is a preferred gait for cruising or loping easily across a field because it is not tiring and it provides good support. It is often slower than a trot but it can be easily shifted into the faster transverse gallop. Because of the even distribution of support (tripod involving hindlimb followed by tripod involving forelimb), the canter is suited for rough ground or where footing is uncertain.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The transverse gallop (normal gallop; horse gallop) is a four-beat, single suspension gait. The fore and hind limbs of the transverse gallop exhibit a similar pattern, e.g., left hind & right hind; left fore & right fore [right lead].

The leading forelimb is the one that supports weight just before suspension. The leading forelimb makes a longer stride and remains in contact with the ground for a longer time than the non-leading forelimb. The hindlimb that impacts the ground immediately following suspension is diagonal to the leading forelimb.

Hind limbs supply the major propulsive force, and the hindlimb that lands second is more powerful in providing forward and upward thrust. The hindlimb that impacts the ground first following suspension is extended forward under the body and is more prone to injury because of the shock involved in catching the falling body weight.

The canter leads naturally to the transverse gallop (by splitting the diagonal of the canter so the gait becomes four-beat). The stride length of the gallop is about twice that of the canter, as increased momentum extends suspension distance along with the reach of each limb.

The gallop is used for speed, but it is a fatiguing gait. The transverse gallop is the primary gallop of the horse as well as cattle and other large ungulates. The trunk is held relatively rigid and undergoes a cranial-caudal rocking action. The dog and other carnivores also exhibit the transverse gallop but the rotatory gallop is their fastest gait.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

The rotatory gallop (double suspension gallop; jumping gallop) is a four-beat, double suspension gait. It is exhibited by carnivores and by rodents, swine, and small ungulates. The pattern of limb impact rotates, e.g., right hind, left hind, extended suspension, left fore, right fore, and collected suspension (as illustrated above). This rotatory pattern of limb impact and the double suspension per stride characterizes the rotatory gallop, in contrast to the transverse gallop.

Suspension periods follow lifting of the second-impacting hind limb and lifting of the second-impacting forelimb. As usual, the leading forelimb is the one that is lifted just before suspension (it is the right forelimb in the above illustration). By the same criterion, one can also designate a leading hind limb, which is the dominant propulsive limb for the gait (the left hind limb in the above cartoon).

The rotatory gallop is the fastest but also the most fatiguing of all gaits. The greyhound can achieve speeds of 60 km/hour (37 mph). The cheetah is even faster, though it usually runs for only 15 seconds at a time. Relative to their heights, the length of the cheetah's stride is about twice that of the horse. The three-pronged antelope uses the rotatory gallop most proficiently. It has been clocked at 60 mph and can cruise at 45 mph.

In carnivores, limbs are used for manipulation as well as for locomotion. Carnivore limbs are relatively short compared to many of the herbivores they prey upon. A carnivore gains stride length (and thus speed) by means of a flexible trunk. Flexion and extension of the vertebral column greatly increases effective stride length (compensating for anatomically short limbs).

Trunk flexion (via abdominal muscles) enables the hind paws to impact far ahead of the spot where fore paws impacted the ground. Trunk extension during hindlimb propulsion produces a leap that enables the forelimbs to impact far ahead of their static anatomical reach. Epaxial and hamstring muscles support body weight and elevate the body's center of gravity during the leap suspension phase. Abdominal wall muscles bring the pelvis forward during trunk flexion. Thus trunk muscles are significantly involved in locomotion.

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

We don't all just "make it up as we go along".......

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

coondog

Quote!
"esp ones that have held licens for a long time".
I have observed some that have not had theirs licens long that I thought should be evaluated. I will go a bit further WHEN YOU WEAR OUT SEVSRAL VEHICLES TRAVELING ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT AND NOW PAY WAY OVER $3.75 A GALLON FOR GAS YOU DESERVE MOER THAN JUST SOME"YAH HOO" PICKING THE BREED HE HUNTS OR SHOWS. I DON'T CARE IF HE OR SHE HAS HAD THEIR LICENS FOR A LONG TIME OR SHORT TIME.
What u think.
Jump right in.

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SHAWNEE HILL'S BLACK AND TANS

I will go one further:

I've been judging livestock, cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, for a lot of years. Not long ago, I took the test to be a UKC bench show judge.

Understanding the breed standards is one aspect of judging, but some of us that have experience judging animals other than dog, know that there is a lot more to picking a winner than who looks "pretty" standing on a bench....

From what I've seen at different shows, most folks that bench show dogs have never been shown the WHOLE picture. I'm looking more for what's under the skin than what color the dog is....sure, they have to meet breed standards, but this is a conformation show....not a beauty contest.

Because of my experience in judging livestock, most of the shows that I judge are won and/or lost on the ground, and not on the bench.

I've seen folks take a flat footed, cow hocked, "foot slinger" and put it up on a bench....and cover up every one of the dogs faults.....I've seen those same dogs win under the "beauty show" judges....the ones that barely even notice a dog while it is gaiting... That's not what I believe a coon hound bench show to be about....

To answer the original question, you won't find standards for gaiting spelled out anywhere in the UKC breed standards. Locomotion in dogs is not widely varied by the breeds, and not varied amongst the coon hound breeds....

A good gait is a good gait,....and a bad one is a bad one. Not bragging, but I can't count the number of times that I've noticed sore shoulders, or sore feet on dogs that have been shown...only to ask the exhibitor about it and they are amazed that I could tell.....

__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

Go Joe

we don't need a bench to show a dog on right. well why do we call it a bench show? just wondering. maybee we could call it a floor show, then my wife would not let me go and i could save a lot of $. You know the Auyumn Oaks Floor Show. na you aint going. what u think.

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SHAWNEE HILL'S BLACK AND TANS

Re: Go Joe

quote:

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Originally posted by H. L. Meyer
we don't need a bench to show a dog on right. well why do we call it a bench show? just wondering. maybee we could call it a floor show, then my wife would not let me go and i could save a lot of $. You know the Auyumn Oaks Floor Show. na you aint going. what u think.

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__________________
Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels

Aw Joe

I was a professional farrier for a long long time traveled all over the country shoeing horses, you know a cow hocked passer or trotter is a lot faster and does not interfer with the gait. come on now. Stack him on a bench. Not a floor show

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SHAWNEE HILL'S BLACK AND TANS

Hay Joe

Just wondering in your opinion which is wores a dog that line walks, pitches or wings with the front feet or is cow hocked ? just your opinion.
Stack him up or have a floor show

__________________
SHAWNEE HILL'S BLACK AND TANS

where does the power come from?

Well , I can see there's more than a little that I don't know about my dogs. On the other hand I've always maintained that a dog that has a decent gait has just that. From that point you move on to the breed standards and look for what you think is best from there. I've always had more trouble dealing with whats going on in a dogs head during a show and causing them to react the way they do to the crowd, loud speakers, and being inside a building. I swear I sometimes look down and wonder who are you and how did you get on the end of my leash?
I don't believe many have the knowlegde and experience that Oak Ridge has and likely the ones that do may not agree which aspect of it carries the most importence, which gives a variety of choices being made in the shows.

Re: coondog

quote:

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Originally posted by H. L. Meyer
Quote!
"esp ones that have held licens for a long time".
I have observed some that have not had theirs licens long that I thought should be evaluated. I will go a bit further WHEN YOU WEAR OUT SEVSRAL VEHICLES TRAVELING ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT AND NOW PAY WAY OVER $3.75 A GALLON FOR GAS YOU DESERVE MOER THAN JUST SOME"YAH HOO" PICKING THE BREED HE HUNTS OR SHOWS. I DON'T CARE IF HE OR SHE HAS HAD THEIR LICENS FOR A LONG TIME OR SHORT TIME.
What u think.
Jump right in.

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