I don't know if this is a problem, but I am concerned. When my labradoodle runs, his back two legs don't follow the front two legs; they go down a separate path. I don't know how to explain this really. It's like seeing a car driving down the street with a crooked frame. It's just not straight. Is there something wrong with my dog? He is a year old.
2007-05-20 17:17:09 · 7 answers · asked by denise1985palm 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
There are a couple of reasons your dog may be "crabbin." It's possible that your dog is short in the back, which causes the rear legs to come up too close to the front legs when running. The angulation of your dog's shoulders may also be a problem. If the front legs can't reach like they should the rear legs will move to the side. In puppies, the gait is sometimes thrown off because of rapid growth of the rear legs. The only way he can run is to step aside the front legs. Rapid growth should be settled by the time your dog is a year old, however. This doesn't mean there is something wrong with him, it's just not good breeding for structure and movement. He will still be a great dog--he'll just run a little goofy!
2007-05-20 17:32:14 · answer #1 · answered by Bullymom 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It may just be puppy lankiness BUT, if your dog seems to get tired and start bunny hopping and favoring his back end, you want to get him to the vet and have his hips X-rayed for dysplasia. Both the lab and the standard poodle could be dysplastic and the sad thing about all these large cross breeds being offered for hundreds and thousands of dollars is that nobody seems to want to spend the bucks to Xray the parents to be certain that they have sound hips themselves!
It is a problem among purebred breeders as well, it's just a crime that the cross breeds sell for more money and you would think with all that positive cash flow that the breeders would spend some on mom and dad to be certain they are healthy from a disease that is known in their chosen breed.
For your peace of mind you might just make an appointment with your vet anyways to do a hip Xray just so you will know. And call the breeder and ask whether the parents had been xrayed on their hips.
2007-05-20 17:35:04 · answer #2 · answered by joanie m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh can be hard to tell, would need more info. things like, does your dog bunny hop as well when it runs ? (both legs moving at same time) does he have problems jumping up on things? has it been something you have recently noticed or something that has been there all the time?
I would encourage you to go to the vet and get it checked out, it may only be something minor now but if left could slowly cause more damage as your dog grows older, and given that it is not a small dog...........could be many causes to this though.
2007-05-20 17:24:39 · answer #3 · answered by nattiej1976 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. sounds like hip problems. Labradors and poodles both have genetic predisposition for hip problems, especially in the really high bred varieties... and a labradoodle is likely to carry on the tradition.
You may want to talk to a vet and see if you'll need a special diet for your dog to prevent future hip dysplasia and back problems.
2007-05-20 17:25:47 · answer #4 · answered by Theresa A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His shoulder anglation probably doesn't exactly match his rear leg anglation. That or he's short backed. He could still grow out of it if he's barely a year old...
2007-05-21 00:20:17 · answer #5 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever had him to the vet in the past? Has your vet ever checked his hips? and joints? more then likely they have if his check ups You can take him to the vet and there problem going to tell you he is fine...
2007-05-20 17:33:42 · answer #6 · answered by Tcamp67 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your dog is mentally challenged!!!
2007-05-20 19:35:17 · answer #7 · answered by Emerald Eyes 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋