Glossary
Gait
The pattern of movement of animals during (terrestrial) locomotion.
Gaits used by cats and dogs include the walk, the amble, the pace, the trot, the canter and the gallop.
Gaits used by cats and dogs include the walk, the amble, the pace, the trot, the canter and the gallop.
Fault
A characteristic of a pet that deviates from the breed standard.
Breed standards specify characteristics that are undesirable, some being disqualifying faults.
Breed standards specify characteristics that are undesirable, some being disqualifying faults.
Trot
A symmetrical, two-beat gait in which diagonally contralateral limbs move in unison.
This is an endurance gait, which allows coverage of ground at a reasonable speed but without expending maximum energy. The trot may, therefore, be maintained for hours.
This is an endurance gait, which allows coverage of ground at a reasonable speed but without expending maximum energy. The trot may, therefore, be maintained for hours.
Forefoot
The foot of a cranial (anterior) limb.
Limb
An appendage to the main body of an organism.
Hind Foot
The foot of a caudal (anterior) limb.
Tarsal Joint
A joint in the tarsus.
Equivalent to the joints in the human ankle.
Equivalent to the joints in the human ankle.
Carpal Joint
A joint in the carpus.
Equivalent to the joints in the human wrist.
Equivalent to the joints in the human wrist.
Hock
The tarsal region or tarsal joint of the hind leg of a quadruped.
Also known (colloquially) as the heel or ankle.
Also known (colloquially) as the heel or ankle.
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Knuckling Over
Carpal or tarsal joints (hocks) are incompletely extended (buckled) causing the limb to be angled forward, and the joint to protrude.
Explicit fault in many dog breeds (e.g. Basset Hound, Border Terrier and Dachshund).
Also known as over at the knees and (colloquially) as buck-kneed, goat-kneed and knuckled over.
