‍Ask A Judge 

‍Answers By 

‍Sid Marx

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‍“There seems to be some talk amongst judges about what is more important, the down & back or side movement?  What is your opinion?"

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‍This is a question that does not have a simple answer. I believe both are important and each shows different things to a judge. First of all, the answer will partly depend upon the breed in question and the purpose of that breed. By that I mean that side gait means a great deal for a breed like a Brittany (who is a wide-ranging hunter) or a German Shepherd Dog (who patrols a perimeter), whereas down and back may be a bit more important to a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, which is a breed whose purpose does not require great extension. However, both are important to every breed to some extent.

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‍When a judge examines a dog, he is trying to feel muscle and bone structure as well as he can. What he finds – or doesn’t find – should be confirmed by the dog’s movement. Unfortunately, it is not always that easy. We can’t feel ligaments and tendons. We aren’t always able to determine true muscle strength.

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‍I also think there is a human factor involved, By that I mean I see a lot of exhibitors who are continually pulling back on their dogs because they can’t keep up with them. We also see those who believe moving their dog means to see how fast you can run. Neither of these exhibitors allow their dog to move properly. To a great extent, I think we train our dogs to move with us. Very experienced dogs know they will have to turn at the end of the ring, and start doing so early. This also hides true movement.

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‍Movement shows a lot of things. The ease with which a dog moves is important. Foot-timing goes along with this. Effortless movement – down and back or side-gait – tells us a lot about the dog’s balance. I believe balance in every breed is important, and smooth, easy movement tells us a lot about the dog’s balance. (True balance is both physical and mental).

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‍A dog’s head position and spine will also determine what is proper movement. Down and back movement indicates a lot about the dog’s skeletal structure. Different faults are shown during the down and back. One example is side-winding. Sometimes this is an indication that the rear angulation is considerably more than that of the front, and the dog has to move like this so that his rear has some place to go against a straight front.

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‍Certainly, there are breeds that do not require the same type of movement that is necessary for a Sporting, Working, or Herding breed. But every breed – no matter the size or purpose – tells us a lot about its structure and health during the down and back.

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‍Most breeds call for short hocks on a dog. Long or weak hocks can cause a dog moving away from you to move with the hocks on the wrong angle – instead of straight up and down. Improper musculature can also cause a dog to cross over either in the rear or front – or both.

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‍Straight shoulders or a front without proper shoulder layback (which might be the hardest thing to correct in a breeding) does not allow a dog to reach out properly. Often this causes the dog to flip his front toward the side when moving. Restricted movement is never correct movement. Consider the human being. As we get older – and more-stiff or brittle – our stride shortens or we see people who seem to waddle (like a penguin). Our movement is affected by our structure just as it is in dogs.

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‍Side-gait tells us other things. Does the dog hold his topline firm when he moves or is there weakness in his back (which would not be good when working in the field or for the dog’s future health as he gets older)? Reaching out front tells us a lot about whether there is proper shoulder layback or if there is restriction there. In the Brittany for example, which calls for the rear legs to reach into the same spot that the front leg has just left or a little beyond that. This is a dog who is bred to work in the field all day without tiring. If the front and rear angulation is not balanced, the dog cannot do this. Instead, the dog will sidewind or find another way to move so that he is comfortable – maybe pacing (although pacing is a comfortable long-distance gait for a dog).

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‍So, I don’t believe one movement is more important than the other, Both tell us a story about the dog’s structure. Our hands and eyes see and feel how we believe the dog is built. Movement removes a lot of doubt.

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‍I hope this helps. Enjoy your dog.

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‍Once again Thank You judge Sid Marx for giving us great answers to great questions.  For those of you who have enjoyed reading this column, you may also read his column, The Judge Marx the Spot in Dog News magazine and online at: https://www.dognews.com/sid-marx-0

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