Growing Beagles and Foxhound-Boxer-Ingelheim Labrador Retriever mixed breeds show a forelimb-dominated gait and a cranial shift in weight support over time during a kinetic gait analysis.

Objective: To collect kinetic gait reference data of dogs of 2 breeds in their growth period during walking and trotting gait, to describe their development, and to investigate the weight support pattern over time.

Animals: 8 Foxhound-Boxer-Ingelheim Labrador Retriever mixed breeds and 4 Beagles.

Procedures: Ground reaction force variables (GRFs), peak vertical force and vertical impulse, and temporal variables (TVs) derived therefrom; time of occurrence; and stance times were collected. Body weight distribution (BWD) was evaluated. Six measurements, each containing 1 trial in walking and 1 trial in trotting gait, were taken at age 10, 17, 26, 34, 52, and 78 weeks. The study period started July 17, 2013 and lasted until October 7, 2015. Area under the curve with respect to increase was applied. The difference of area under the curve with respect to increase values between breeds and gaits was analyzed using either the t test or the Mann-Whitney test. Generalized mixed linear models were applied.

Results: Significant differences in gait and breed comparisons were found. Growing dogs showed a forelimb-dominated gait. The development of GRF and TV values over the study period were described.

Clinical Relevance: Reference values for GRFs, TVs, and BWDs in growing dogs were given. A cranial shift in weight support over time was found during trotting gait. Smaller, younger dogs walked and trotted more inconsistently.