The other night I was noticing the way Boonie walks. It's different from the way Skeeter and Fella walk, and I wondered about it. Wouldn't you know, I stumbled across this on thestraightdope.com today:
"Dear Cecil:
Why is it that some dogs walk by moving both legs on one side of the body at the same time, while others (most?) walk by moving the front leg on one side at the same time as the rear leg on the other side? --Tim Silva, Washington, D.C.
Dear Tim:
You won't believe this--I didn't believe it, until I checked the files--but there is actually an answer to this question. Moving both legs on one side of the body forward at the same time is called "pacing." It's generally considered an easier, slower method of locomotion. Moving diagonal pairs of legs forward at the same time is called "trotting." It's more efficient since the body doesn't roll as much and is usually regarded as a step up from pacing speed- and coordination-wise. There are many exceptions to the foregoing; some dogs can move pretty fast while pacing. Personally I'm content to locomote on two legs rather than four, except when I've had a very, very bad night.
--CECIL ADAMS"
Boone is a Pacer in every respect-he is slow, less coordinated, and has a roll to his gait. In addition, he is a small, wide dog.
Skeeter and Fella are Trotters.
What do you have?
Rudy does both - depending on where he wants to be ! I have noticed when he pacing (I think of this as a canter, like a horse) - he usually traverses (sp?) across the sidewalk.
Brandy is a trotter - but is is more like prancing !!! She also has a little skip in one of her hind feet - not ever step. I also notice the skip more often when it gets cold.
Interesting question !!!!
Pacing is an unnatural gait for horses, which have to be trained to pace. Hence, trotters are horses that run trotting races pulling a jockey who rides a sulky, and a pacer runs by pacing.
Pacing is also the gait for Paso Fino horses and I think Tennessee walkers.
I was very surprised to read that dogs - or any animal for that matter - would pace on their own. Unless the animal was something really funky.
Karen :heart:
My two are trotters. Winston sometimes skips like others have described. He also does this thing where he prances like a deer.
Porky is a trotter. I think it should be obvious why we call him wiggle butt, when he walks. :wink: He looks so hilarious when he knows someone is watching him, he'll trot a little faster, stink his nose in the air, and wiggle that butt. :2funny: I wish i had a videocamera to share it with everyone.