Movement of your Dog - What is Pacing?

When showing your dog, the movement of your dog is very important. A judge can tell if your dog is structurally sound and in proportion just on its movement. The main pattern asked for by a judge is a triangle. A Triangle shows the rear movement when going away from the judge, the side movement or profile when moving across the top of the triangle and the front movement when coming back towards the judge. 

One of the main problems we come across in movement is Pacing, also referred to as Ambling.  Pacing is when your dogs front and back leg on the same side moves forward at the same time. The correct movement of your dog should be a Trot, when the front left leg and the back right leg move forward at the same, in a diagonal.  In some larger breeds pacing is acceptable, check your KC breed standard under Gait / Movement.

A dog may Pace because its tired as this movement conserves energy. Some large animals such as the camel move in this way. It may also pace because it is being moved too slowly. 

Structurally, your dog may Pace because it is too short in the loin or upright in shoulder. However, this is only marked as a fault in adults as puppies may still be developing. 

Pacing can usually be rectified by the handler, by moving a little quicker, or a small lead correction. 

Below are some of the terminology used to describe faults in movement.

• Too close behind - when the back legs almost rub together
• Cow Hocked - when the hocks point inward
• Toeing In - When the front or rear feet point inward
• Single Tracking - When the front or back feet land in the same track as the other one. This is acceptable in some breeds such as Collies. 
• Hackneying - When the front legs lift up too high, like a Hackney pony. (Although this is desirable in Miniature Pinschers)
• Crabbing - When the rear legs move out to one side
• Pacing - When the same side legs move forward at the same time.