HOW STRUCTURE AFFECTS MOVEMENT

Page 3

Showing how the length of the upper arm affects timing:

Correct As this dog is balanced front and rear he does not need to lift his feet high off the ground to extend forward Each foot will flex and bend as it comes forward without excessive lift in a smooth almost ground skimming action The action is smooth and rhythmical

Short Upper Arm + strong rear As this dog does not have balanced angulation front and rear he will need to lift his front feet higher to allow time for his excellent rear angulation to come forward with the desired drive. The front feet will lift higher and have a goose "stepping action" The action will not look as smooth and rhythmical as the correct dog

The second dog will need to use more energy to cover the same distance

---

Showing how less rear angulation but good front angulation affects timing

Correct As this dog is balanced front and rear he does not need to lift his feet high off the ground to extend forward Each foot will flex and bend as it comes forward without excessive lift in a smooth almost ground skimming action The action is smooth and rhythmical

Straighter Rear Angulation + good front As this dog does not have balanced angulation front and rear he will need to bend and lift his front feet higher to make allowances for his poor rear angulation timing.(cadence) The front foot will lift in an almost hackney action The action may look pretty but it is not correct

The first dog will need less steps and energy to cover the same distance
T

---

Now compare a dog with less front and rear angulation

Correct Viewed from the front and rear this dog's legs will come closer to the center of his body (kinetic balance) He will extend his front and rear legs smoothly to their full extent of his excellent angulation - but will not roll! (Well angled puppies may roll as their muscles are not as firm)

Straight front and rear angulation As this dog has poor angulation front and rear he is balanced His front feet will extend without needing to bend or lift excessively as his rear feet do not need additional time for cadence. His action will look smoother than the two unbalanced dogs above, but is not correct From the front and rear his feet will NOT converge as much as the correct dog. This may look prettier and more controlled to the novice, but is incorrect! He will need to take many more steps to cover the same distance as the dog on the left

Many judges make the mistake of putting up the second dog.
They mistake kinetic balance with toeing in! (Toeing in or out is a ligament problem)

Always look for the easiest, most ground covering, energy saving movement!