Running diagonally??

[LoveEcho]

I've come to notice that Echo runs ever so slightly at a diagonal. Like...how a horse does leg yields. I've read that it's a puppy thing (he's still pretty awkward and lanky at 16 mos), I've read that it's a conformation thing, I've read that it's a hip thing, I've read that many GSD's do it because of a long gait. I have NO idea what to think about it...if it's a conformation issue, ok, but my primary concern is it being indicative of HD?? Does anyone else's dog do this?

He is a sloppy sitter and a sloppy layer (if that's a term...he rarely lays square with his hind legs underneath him, although it could be a function of training...he will do it if he's super focused), no limping issues, can go on long hikes without problem... was x-rayed at 7 months, no problems then.

[carmspack]

give a side view of the dog -- front and rear are not balanced, might be more rear than front

[carmspack]

when the front can not move out of the way, the hind leg interferes , and has to get out of the way , so the compensation is a bit of a sideways motion (from the rear ) known as sidewinding or crabbing.

[LoveEcho]

Getting him to stand squarely is hard, ughh... he's a little hunched up, but here goes...






He only crabs sometimes.... hm...

[LoveEcho]

I'll try and take a better picture outside tomorrow when he's standing a little more naturally... he's normally a little "longer" if that makes any sense, he's all hunched up here...

[LisaT]

How freely does his tail move when out and about. Looks like it has some issues. , which can be a sign of low back issues. Hard to tell without seeing him move.

[carmspack]

I'm laughing , poor fellow sure doesn't look so happy playing statues. Just as I thought , his rear end is actually quite nice - but his front end belongs to another dog. He is lower at the front than rear, he needs to have a better wither height (scapula) , he definitely needs a longer better placed upper arm (humerus) which is why he can't reach forward . So when his longer stride from the rear bumps into the front opposite leg , he has to adjust his rear foot placement out of the way of the front which moves him off a single line track .There's not much you can do , this is his conformation.

Your dog looks fit , well cared for , nice rear and back , good feet .

[carmspack]

his tail is his attitude , he is not pleased - you would see it plainly if the dog were to move , take a few steps

[chelle]

This is interesting, as I've thought my dog was "dogtracking" when he trots... but not when he's full out running? Could be my imagination. I'm glad you brought this up, I'm hoping to learn more about what causes this.

[LoveEcho]

Out and about his tail and hind end move freely without issue (aside from the occasional crabbing ) He was a little nervous, I've never really asked him to stand like that before so I don't think he knew what was going on.... I'm trying to find pics of him running (and failing... I need to take more pics of my dog playing, sigh). With all the conformation issues my rescue horse has I try and pay attention, I've never noticed any other gait abnormalities or stiffness... I asked our trainer (who also breeds police k9's) and he said there weren't any gait abnormalities that he could see... I'll take a video tomorrow and post it.