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The Gordon standard goes into considerable detail both as to the gait seen
going and coming, and from the side. What is wanted is a long, smooth stride,
with the head up, tail flagging. The tail, by the way, should be carried
horizontally. Describing gait as seen from the front or rear is a matter
of semantics. The Gordon standard talks about the forefeet moving up and
down in straight lines so that the shoulder, elbow and pastern joints are
approximately in line. When viewed from the rear the hock, stifle, and
hip joints are approximately in line.
It should be pointed out that a small dog is much better at this than a
large dog who, because of his height, must tend towards a single track
to keep his balance when gaiting.
The hackney gait is not wanted, and sickle hocks will create gait problems.
Both hamper and cause lack of endurance. |
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Gait: The action of the Gordon Setter is a bold, strong, driving,
free-swinging gait. The head is carried up and the tail "flags" constantly
while the dog is in motion. When viewed from the front the forefeet move
up and down in straight lines so that the shoulder, elbow and pastern joints
are approximately in line with each other. When viewed from the rear, the
hock, stifle and hip joints are approximately in line. Thus the dog moves
in a straight pattern forward without throwing the feet in or out. When
viewed from the side the forefeet are seen to lift up and reach forward
to compensate for the driving hindquarters. The hindquarters reach well
forward and stretch far back, enabling the stride to be long and the drive
powerful. The overall appearance of the moving dog is one smooth- flowing,
well-balanced rhythm, in which the action is pleasing to the eye, effortless,
economical and harmonious. |
