Flying trot? - Page 3

That thread  is relevant because the topic here is the trot of the GSD, and it stresses that an extreme sidegait does not necessarily mean a dog has good conformation. Preston mentions Dingo specifically, and how his structure had its flaws, even though his trot is considered nearly perfect.

I had heard about the program "Pedigree Dogs Exposed", and have seen parts of it, especially the ones related to the GSD. However, it was never aired here in Canada, and I didn't connect Jemima with it until now. Since it was filmed in Britain, most of the threads Jemima has posted in are the ones about what's going on over there, and of course, the hot topic of debate is the German GSD vs. that abomination, the British type GSD or Alsatian.  So, without actually reading the threads, that's what I assumed. And yes, I know there's a lot more to it than that, but couldn't be bothered dredging up the details.

Not the best quality photo but I like this one:

That looks like excellent extension, but too bad he's pulling so hard that it distorts his topline and neck.

Another trotting video:  www.youtube.com/watch

I'd be interested in hearing comments on this one, please.

Sunsilver is 100% CORRECT in her initial assertion on the flying trot or full gait being two point.  Stick to your position, Sunsilver, you know more than you give yourself credit for.  And knowledge of horse movement is a great way to lwearn about dog movement too.  Linda Shaw is quite INCORRECT on a number of things.  The GSD she shows as ideal has a very faulty front construction, typical of American Shepherds.  She does not really understand what the FCI/SV standard requires.  Upper arm and scapula too far forward, deficient prosturnum, upper arm too steep, scapula too flat, etc. 

Slo mo filming proves her wrong.  Dingo's video is still the best example of terrific movement that is correct, even though his construction is not perfect.  But he uses everything very well.  That is why his grandfather Canto was used so much by Walter Martin. 

The West German showline dogs have always had a significant number with short backs, short in loin.  That is why you will see so many of them pacing at slower speeds.  Pacing is moving the legs on the same side of the body the same way (gaiting is the opposite with moving the legs in opposition).  Pacing is a more efficient way of moving for a more compact GSD.  Personally I like to see it and prefer a shorter coupled GSD.

One very important thing to remember.  When a GSD or an ASD is gaited on a tight lead, many faults in movement can be covered up.  It is absolutely necessary to move the dog off lead as the Germans do during the individual exams and the regular show for a time, or loose lead.  Anything less than this shows nothing.  The very best German and European breeders and breed wardens can watch a GSD walk on loose lead or off lead and make a fairly good judgement on how the dog will move.  In the AKC and AKC/GSDCA ASD showrings, only some of the judges require the ASDs to be moved loose lead.  Without this any win means nothing.  Along back can cover a lot of faults as it is simply geometry.  It provides extra leverage to help stabilize an imbalance between the front and the rear.  But usually the back flexes too much and the dog has less stamina.  That is why so many ASD that are long have sickle hocks and extreme driving rears which work only several times around the ring and then start losing strength.  The faulty fronts that reach, lift and hold so well give this long struide in the rear time to complete its cycle, making these dogs appear to be extreme and correct sidegaiters to the misinformed and uninformed when they are not.

Preston wrote:"The West German showline dogs have always had a significant number with short backs, short in loin. That is why you will see so many of them pacing at slower speeds. Pacing is moving the legs on the same side of the body the same way (gaiting is the opposite with moving the legs in opposition). Pacing is a more efficient way of moving for a more compact GSD. Personally I like to see it and prefer a shorter coupled GSD."

I'm a bit  astonished to read this. Are you telling me you don't see pacing as a fault?

Jemima

Preston is referring to Pacing when the dog is effectively moving at a slow pace where some are able to gait at this speed. This is where iI think he perfers the Pacing as described , please correct me if I am wrong.
At a faster speed Pacing is then replaced by as  Penny puts it "changing gear" to gaiting. Unfortunatly when trying to explain our breed  to Jemima her lack of understanding in the written word of how our breed moves concerns me because no one would expect that a dog that was moving faster fully extended when  gaiting would be more comfortable  and use less energy if it was Pacing.

Which is why I asked... Pacing is often seen as a fault in other breeds.

Jemima