Movement- Putting it all together!

  

"If they're made right, they'll move right." I have heard this comment numerous times when speaking of movement. I have come to find that is statement isn't necessarily true. Have you ever seen a dog that looked wonderful stacked, but fell apart when moving? Or how about that dog that went unnoticed until it moved?

There is so much more to motion than anatomy, even though that is the vital starting point.  There are dogs that outmaneuver their angles because of great athleticism and flexibility. Some well structured dogs do not move well because they lack the athleticism and flexibility. 

The correct angulations are the most important, but the correct muscle, ligaments, and tendons all play a very important role in pulling it all together. 

It is possible for dogs to have too much flexibility or too much angulation. Too much flexibility can cause more stride than the dog can effectively control.  Too little flexibility will restrict stride. Too much angulation causes wasted time and energy because it takes both to straighten out the joint. Too little angulation causes the dog to work twice as hard to perform routine exercises. 

The angulation that works in favor for the dog in one area may work against him in another. If the dog has that perfect 90 degree scapula-humerus angle, working for a long stride, and too much angulation in the pastern causing excessive pressure and subsequent breakdown, it cause the dog to be off balance. 

Patricia Craige states, "The expression "body texture" has been used as the total composite of those things aside from bone structure that make an animal great. This ideal combination of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and flesh means that the animal can store the optimum amount of energy. The more energy for it's weight that the animal can store, the more endurance and class it will exhibit at work."

Trying to avoid the "more-is-better" syndrome in breeding programs, it has been revealed that too much bone makes an animal clumsy and unable to trail game with out tiring. The most athletic bone had proven to be oval rather than round. Some breeders understanding of the versions of  round bone might be misinterpreted and lead to exaggeration in bone.  A dog with sufficient bone will accumulate muscle around that bone, and  if the dog is exercised properly and regularly it will also lay on or build bone. Recent studies on Osteoporosis support this theory.  Strengthening and building muscle will give the illusion of rounder bones without the clumsiness caused by being over boned. 

"In dealing with muscles, it is important to understand that the intrinsic muscles belong to the animal by virtue of the fact that animal exists. The involuntary rhythm of the heart muscle is such an example. Extrinsic muscles are those that you see and are voluntary muscles. The intrinsic muscles control the internal force and action, and extrinsic muscles provide range of movement and the limiting factors of their action.

Muscles acting in harmony with bone lengths and angles produce the potential of the canine machinery in motion. Natural muscle mass can do everything from working to prevent hip dysplasia to working to produce speed. When a breed standard calls for arch of the neck, it is referring to the muscles that create the arch and give the neck strength. If an animal's neck is too short, the muscles are thick and stuffed, and the smoothness required of the arch is lost. Because muscles work from end to end, their length as well as their strength and efficiency develop in proportion to the leverage made available by their angulation. The muscles of the hindquarters are large, thicker and more powerful than those of the front." says Craige. 

When a dog gaits it is just as dependant on the central and peripheral nervous system as it is on that of bones and muscles. Without the central nervous system sending the correct signals, bones and muscles could not act in the proper manner. The nervous system must be in perfect working order for everything to fall into place for correct movement.  

Fuel supply is equally important in the resulting of proper movement. The biochemical metabolic system's full consumption is a large part of the animals ability to tolerate exercise. Energy comes from the glucose and fatty acids and muscle being able to oxidize these fuels. According to Dr. David Kronfield (AKC Gazette), "The animal's muscle health is a most delicate balance of aerobic and anaerobic processes, utilization of muscle fuels intra-muscularly and extra-muscularly, and correct metabolizing of carbohydrates and fat while exercising. For these processes to function perfectly, the protein buildup of muscle and red blood cells must also be in sync."

Looking for a dog that has the correct angulations (skeleton), you hope the assembly of the bones will be accompanied by the appropriate "body texture" for that specific dog. Having that said, do you have the dog that is build right and moves right? 

 

Craige, Patricia V., Born To Win: Breed To Succeed, Doral Publishing, Inc.., Wilsonville, Oregon, 1997.