Well, herer we go again. The trot by definition is a 2 beat gait...That means opposing legs hit the ground at the same time..I know this is hard to believe because we hardly ever see a dog that can do this. Because the dogs are faulty does not mean we change the definition of the perfect gait. Here in America we tend to surrender to the MAJORITY, CORRECT OR NOT. The GSD is supposed to have a "Flying Trot", just like an Afghan Hound or any other GOOD moving dog. We are NOT unique...The only difference in the Shepherds gait is the "Period of suspension" ,when all four feet are off the ground. Shepherds have a longer period because they usually have more rear drive which helps propel them foreward ,off the ground for a little longer than most dogs. A great moving dog in any breed, at a trot, has this exaggerated period of suspension or a "Flying Trot". There is all too much belief in the dog world that each breed moves different than the others...This is mearly a variation in the amount of angulation which dictates the reach and drive...Dogs are dogs are dogs...BooHoo and you thought we were unique and special...there are many special dogs out there. The only reason the hind feet of most shepherds touch down before the front feet do is that there is a long time fault in almost all shepherds shoulder assemblies.It takes only a 1/2 inch difference in upper arm length to alter the reach. Only a 5 degree variation in the shoulder layback to cause the same...These amounts are not measurable with the naked eye. When the front leg does not hit and the same time as the hind, there is something wrong. Because so many,many dogs do this, it does not make it correct...Gosh you mean my perfect dog aint so perfect???YES. Years ago, 35., there was a beautiful dog called Bar vom Weirturchen(sp?) he did a lot of winning...like number one GSD. Denny Kodner was his handler and when he came to Tacoma Washington, I was his VET...So I got to know this great dog inside and out....including where his shoulder bones were placed...The owner was told this dog had a beautuful shoulder assembly before she paid this hugh price for him. One day at his owners home she said to me, Do you think he has any faults?Or where would you fault him...Well I thought about his lifting front and it really did lift....I said his shoulder blade is pushed too far foreward..the owner exploded and called me a Son of ........ I said come over here and I will show you...I did and showed her how to trace the scapular ridge down the blade..She said "your right." those bast....... they all told me he had a perfect shoulder...I could see from his movement what his problem was long befoe I said anything...So...you see we often get defensive too soon...Again only listen to those who know....not tour friends etc. Because your dogs front and rear feet do not fully sincronize, it does not mean you dog is no good, it means he could be a little better to be perfect!!! Chuck Kruger dvm ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================