Front Matter

26 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

pelvic limbs with adducted and internally
rotated tarsi and abducted/externally rotated
feet such that the tarsi are closer together
than the feet, sometimes referred to as cow
hocks (Figure 2.7). This may be an adaptation
for herding; having this type of rear confor-
mation is thought to provide improved stabil-
ity for lying down and standing up (to reduce
or increase pressure on the sheep, respec-
tively) and to help the pelvic limbs push off
when turning.

Another adaptation of the trot gait seen in

Border Collies is a relatively reduced forward

reach and rearward extension (drive) when the

limbs are viewed from the side. It is thought

that this apparent lack of reach and drive is an

adaptation that allows the dog to turn more

rapidly, much as a spinning figure skater turns

more rapidly when their arms are closer to the

body (Carr et al., 2015).

The trot is the gait that is best used to detect

lameness, because it is the only gait for which

Figure 2.5 This dog is moving efficiently at the trot, swinging the thoracic limb well forward and kicking the pelvic
limbs back.

(A)(B)

2

2

1

1

Figure 2.4 (A) When a dog is trotting, the pelvic limb that is moving forward steps into the spot where the thoracic
limb on the same side just left the ground a moment before. (B) When viewed from the side, the front foot can be seen
lifting just before the rear foot lands. Source: Photo by Diane Larsen.