Terriers running on only one back leg - an informal survey!

[fussbucket]

You know how terriers often run using only one back leg to post themselves along? I was watching one of my charges do this earlier and realised it was always her left that she was not bothering with. I checked for injuries just in case, but she was fine, so I think it must be a habit with her, but it made me think, are dogs left or rightlegged like we're handed? If you've got a terrier or terrier type who does this do they use both legs equally or one for preference, if so which one?

Mine changes from one to the other, not sure if she favours one though- haven't noticed it.

I only noticed it today, and I've been walking her for a year now. People are going to think I'm a crazy lady, I'm going to be looking at their dog's rear ends

You mean like skipping...where they lift one leg and run on the other? If so, it's caused by a condition called luxating patella where the kneecap is slips out of position temporarily. In some dogs it can be quite serious and require surgery where the knee joint is so misshapen that the luxation can't right itself. but it seems to be congenital in some terriers (particularly JRTs and similar types) and doesn't cause them too much bother other than the characteristic gait.

My old JRT used to do this on both legs - I don't recall him having a preference. Never seemed to cause him any problems, he did a mean agility round and kept up with a mountain bike on long walks, not so much as a touch of arthritis by the time he passed away.

I never knew it was an actual medical condition! Just thought Jack Russells did it out of habit - but then frankly I've never really thought about it at all until today.

we have a Westie - he uses BOTH back legs together as if one leg - he lovvvvvvvvvvvves to run - both front legs are used together too - my goodness he can go!

I'm trying to visualise a Westie bounding along with front legs and back legs operating in synchronised pairs!
I've had two Westies to look after in the past, I think the bitch used to do hopalong on one leg, but the dog didn't.

fussbucket - it is a complete blur - bounding sounds too slow for him - it is more like he just skims along the grass - you know, like skipping stones on a lake.....

We have a JRTx and I have to say I've never noticed her do this - she seems to run equally on both. Having said that, she seems to walk slightly sideways when she's tired, always has. That worried me a bit but vet cannot find any problems.

BTW1 pm me if you ever put it on Youtube!

I'm racking my memory, I think about half the JRT's I've had to look after have done it occasionally. Musicposy it might be a minor league version of AnEcMat's luxating patella, the important thing is that if it's not making her unhappy, don't worry about it. Although it doesn't sound like you do now that the vet's reassured you.