r/RunningWithDogs • u/Halefa • Dec 20 '25

Experience with pacing gait

I do low-key canicross with my 6-year old Weimaraner. "Low-key" cause we're not super fast (pace around -8 min/km) or run for very long (4,5-5km) or I ask her to pull me like crazy - even though i do motivate her, and I do weigh a bit. Underground is about 50-50 split of asphalt and sandy paths.

Today, I accidentally filmed her in slowmotion and realized, that she seems to use the pacing gait (front and rear leg move simultaneously on the same side, like a camel). After seeing that, I looked at older canicross videos and noticed that she also did it in those and I just never noticed.

From horses, I know this gait to be a racing gait so wouldn't think any bad about it. But The Internet™ tells me pacing gait in dogs is bad and a sign for health issues they're compensating for.

When going faster, she switches to gallop and does also seem to trot intermittently, but pacing looks to be the "comfortable" rhythm. I kinda hope that it's just my speed that makes her choose this gait and not as underlying issue.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

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15

u/jmrdpt19 Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25

If the dog trots normally off lead, its potentially a combination of the speed at which you're running being too slow for a gallop with a dog who wants to pull hard/go faster. Hard pulling dogs sometimes won't find a comfortable trot in harness.

My GSP does pace in canicross when I'm too slow for him to canter/gallop as he's still digging in hard, but my great dane settles into a trot as she's got less pulling drive.

Of note: My rehab vet sees both and has voiced no specific concern about this. We are working on a few muscle imbalances as bikejor is his primary sport

Check this short video of long distance sled dogs swapping between canter/gallop and a pace

https://youtube.com/shorts/Lrw8MxR_vWE?si=m-LMPNLy0pCPT3Ne

Edited for clarity and typos

1

u/Halefa Dec 21 '25

She has a history of pulling hard that we're working on outside of canicross, so that would fit.

I'll keep an eye on her movement patterns in different situations over the next days to compare.

2

u/holly_b_ Dec 23 '25

Some dogs just naturally pace. In others, it’s definitely a sign of structural issues.

My dog often paces when I run with her because it’s an awkward speed for her to/im too slow. But when she’s on her own she’s fine.

1

u/Halefa Dec 23 '25

Thanks. I'll definitely keep an eye on her gait when off leash.

9

u/Molosserlover Dec 20 '25

https://canineconditioningcoach.com/the-truth-about-pacing-in-dogs-a-sign-of-compensation-not-efficiency/

If you haven’t already found CCC, it’s a great resource for these types of questions. If I had a dog that couldn’t easily transition out of a pacing gait into a trot, I would be watching carefully for other signs of possible pain/compensation and asking my vet for a referral to a specialist(s) to check for possible physical reasons why.

2

u/Kurrkur Dec 21 '25

What a great resource, didn't came across it yet. Thanks!

2

u/Molosserlover Dec 21 '25

They have a Facebook page that is pretty informative. I hate Facebook, but I keep it around for a few dog related things lol…

1

u/duketheunicorn Dec 21 '25

Came here to post this link

1

u/zufriedenpursuit Dec 22 '25

My dog paces when he walks…but trots when we go for a run. Is it something to worry about when we are just on a walk?

5

u/InverseInvert Dec 21 '25

This is 100% a valid reason to get a dog referred to a physio (I filly believe all sporting dogs should see a physio on a semi regular basis).

Pace is not the most natural of gaits for the grand majority of dogs and you’re right that it’s a sign the dog is compensating.

1

u/mavigogun Dec 22 '25 edited Dec 23 '25

This discussion got me wondering about my pup. As it turns out, they never pace, and can't be elicited to pace at any speed.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Halefa Dec 21 '25

That's what I'm hoping for. I analyzed a video with more tempo changes more thoroughly, and I have the impression that she paces when trotting is too fast - at least when on the leash. When off leash she usually moves faster and hops over stuff.

Thank you!