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.
Some breed standards specify characteristics that are undesirable, some of these being disqualifying faults.
Some breed standards specify characteristics that are undesirable, some of these 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.
Central Line
An imaginary line along the direction of travel.
Hind Foot
The foot of a caudal (anterior) limb.
Down in Pastern
Structural weakness causing the pasterns to slant at an excessively horizontal angle, or to bend excessively when weight is borne.
At its extreme, being down on pastern is to stand or move on the pastern as well as the toes.
At its extreme, being down on pastern is to stand or move on the pastern as well as the toes.
Pastern
The metacarpal region of the forelimb, between the carpals (wrist) and forepaw
or
the metatarsal region of the hind limb, between the tarsal (heel) and hind paw.
or
the metatarsal region of the hind limb, between the tarsal (heel) and hind paw.
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.
