Front Matter

28 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

the second leg strikes the ground in a location
cranial to the first leg to strike the ground. In
the case of the transverse canter, the dog uses
the same lead leg for both the thoracic and pel-
vic limbs. In Figure 2.8.A, for example, the lead
legs are the left pelvic limb and the left thoracic
limb. If the dog were using the right legs as lead
in a transverse canter, the order of footfall
would be LR, RR and LF, then RF.
Interestingly, dogs as well as wild canids
much more commonly use a rotary canter than
a transverse canter. The order of footfall for the
rotary canter is: RR, LR and LF, then RF
(Figure  2.8B). Note that while, on the second
step, the thoracic and pelvic limbs are consid-
ered to strike the ground together, in fact the
thoracic limb strikes the ground just after the
pelvic limb. In the rotary canter, the dog uses

opposite leads on the pelvic limb (in this exam-

ple, the left lead) and the thoracic limb (in this

example, the right lead). If the dog were using

the right lead on the pelvic limb and the left

lead on the thoracic limb, the order of footfalls

would be LR, RR and RF, then LF.

The rotary canter gives the dog a rolling

appearance, particularly when the dog is

viewed from the rear, as the two ipsilateral

legs frequently abduct as they swing forward

together. This motion should not be mistaken

for lameness. The rotary canter provides dogs

with a distinct advantage in gaiting, particu-

larly when turning. Regardless of whether a

dog is using a transverse or rotary canter,

when turning it uses the thoracic limb on the

side to which the dog is turning as the lead

leg. In other words, if a dog is turning to the

right, it uses the right thoracic limb as lead.

During the rotary canter, dogs can turn with

greater efficiency and accuracy. Using the

front lead leg that is on the side to which the

dog is turning, the dog abducts that thoracic

limb and pulls itself in the direction of the

turn. Then, because there is a point at which

both pelvic limbs are on the ground in the

rotary canter, the dog effectively pushes off

with both pelvic limbs in the direction of the

turn (Figure 2.9).

The gallop

At the gallop, the dog uses the power of its

highly muscular and flexible spine and abdo-

men to produce two moments of suspension,

one after the thoracic limbs and one after the

pelvic limbs leave the ground. Starting

with the dog in the air after the thoracic limbs

have left the ground, the dog flexes the entire

spine, bringing the pelvic limbs forward under

its body (Figure  2.10). The two pelvic limbs

strike the ground, one foot slightly before the

other. The dog then pushes off with the pelvic

limbs in extension and extends the spine,

reaching forward with the two thoracic limbs.

There is a moment of suspension as the dog is

driven through the air with its spine in full

extension, then the thoracic limbs land on

the ground, one slightly ahead of the other.

The dog then pulls the thoracic limbs under

3

(A) (B)

3

2 2

2 2

1 1

Figure 2.8 The canter. (A) Footprints of a dog using the
transverse canter, in which the thoracic limb and the
pelvic limb are both on the same lead (in this case the
left). (B) Footprints of a dog using the more common
rotary canter, in which the dog uses a different lead in the
rear (in this case, the left) and the front.