LizB
Well-Known Member
We have noticed something about Busa, our Dane x GSD, and his gait. We have a flagstone path that goes from the deck to the back yard, which has a tall hedge on one side and a picket fence on the other, so when the dogs are going out to the yard ahead of you, you can see their gait directly from behind.
Busa trots (he does not do this when walking) with a sidewinding gait, in that his left hind foot lines up with his right fore foot when moving ahead. I was riding my bike with him this weekend and my husband was riding behind me, and he commented on it too. He does not move sideways, in that when he's trotting alongside my bike he doesn't creep over into me, or creep out towards the middle of the street, but his body is oriented sideways, moving straight ahead. He seems quite comfortable when trotting beside me but the bike rides are very short - not quite a half-mile one way - going from our house to my sister's house for dinner or play date with her pup.
I am sure there is nothing that we can do about it, but I was curious if this was an indication of HD or other issues. I will bring it up with my vet next visit but that isn't until the spring. I don't want to continue biking with him if it is bad for him, and will stick to regular walks if indicated. I am 5'0" with short legs, so with him being so tall (31.5") walking alongside me is absolutely no strain on him, lol!
Busa trots (he does not do this when walking) with a sidewinding gait, in that his left hind foot lines up with his right fore foot when moving ahead. I was riding my bike with him this weekend and my husband was riding behind me, and he commented on it too. He does not move sideways, in that when he's trotting alongside my bike he doesn't creep over into me, or creep out towards the middle of the street, but his body is oriented sideways, moving straight ahead. He seems quite comfortable when trotting beside me but the bike rides are very short - not quite a half-mile one way - going from our house to my sister's house for dinner or play date with her pup.
I am sure there is nothing that we can do about it, but I was curious if this was an indication of HD or other issues. I will bring it up with my vet next visit but that isn't until the spring. I don't want to continue biking with him if it is bad for him, and will stick to regular walks if indicated. I am 5'0" with short legs, so with him being so tall (31.5") walking alongside me is absolutely no strain on him, lol!