Malicloy Park
Find us on Facebook
  • Home
  • Ben as a Specialist Judge
    • Ben's Blog on Bernese
  • Our Males
    • "THUNDER" - Aust Ch. Werlwind's Celtic Thunder Down Under (Imp. USA)
    • "BRONSON" - American Grand Ch. Adesa's Stepping Up The Beat (Imp. USA)
    • "CUR" - Moldavian GrCh Po Prostu Courvoiser z Deikowej Doliny (Imp. POL)
  • Our Females
    • "GLADYS" - Algrand Berni Red Star Magic Glade (Imp Russia via USA)
  • Puppy Plans
  • Puppy Enquiries
  • Major Show Wins!
  • Gallery
  • Winning Visitors of Malicloy
    • "COSI" - Ch. Zanzebern Cosi Fan Tutte
    • "JACK" - Ch.Kraigoaks Buster
    • "HAYLEY" - Ch. Branbern Darbie Doll
    • "WILBUR" - Aust/Eng. Ch. Branbern Royal Garter
  • Rainbow Bridge
    • "JIMI" - Romanian GrCh, Russian, Polish & Australian Ch. JIM JUM z Deikowej Doliny (Imp. POL)
    • "KEITH" - Aust Ch. Malicloy Hit The Ground Runnin
    • "HARRY" - American Ch. Malicloy Now You See Me
    • "SASHA" - Malicloy Eyewishes
    • "VIENNA" - Aust Ch. Malicloy Edelweiss
    • "DORY" - Malicloy Kickstart My Heart
    • "HOOTABELLE" - Malicloy Never Been Kissed
    • "ESME" - Malicloy Just More Hot Gossip
    • "LUCY" - Ch. Vegamo's Lady Of The Midnight Sun (Imp. NOR)
    • "STORMIE" - Branbern Storm In A Teacup
    • "RAPUNZEL" - Malicloy Qiss This
    • "SUNDAY" - Malicloy Long Hot Summer
    • "POPPY" - Aust Ch. Vindissa Passion Pop
    • "PINGU" - Ch. Malicloy Against All Odds
    • "DEREK" - Ch. Malicloy Blue Steel
    • "MAX" - Ch. Alpenhund Brutus Maximus
    • "ELI" - Ch. Alpenhund Elite Edition
    • "PHOEBE" - Ch. Branbern Saturn's Moon
    • "CLAUDE" - Ch. Alpenhund Claudius Ceasar
  • BMD Breed Standard
  • Our Clydesdale Horses
    • Paddy
    • Magnus
    • Annie
    • Clancy
  • Contact Ben & Holly

Foot Timing and movement?

2/24/2017

6 Comments

 
Ever seen a movement photo posted by friends and read comments regarding the photo "superb example of movement.... love the reach and drive"?
Sometimes this is the case, but rarely do I see photos that exhibit good foot timing which is essential to a correctly structured and balanced Bernese.
Picture
Take for example the photo here. At first glance one would say that she is displaying the correct "M" in movement and I don't mind saying that many years ago I used this photo, thinking it was a great example of how movement should be.  A good friend of mine and mentor had the sense to tell me that this wasn't an ideal movement shot of my dog. It took me a while to understand why?
  • Notice that the Front left paw is above the ground, yet the rear right paw is still in contact with the ground?
Now I hear some of you say..."if the dog could lower it's head, it would allow the front paw to be in contact with the ground." Sometimes this is the case, however this brings me to my second point... Notice you can see that the Front right pastern is still straight (not flexing) and the paw is still in solid contact with the ground whilst the left rear paw has finished it's extension and left the ground altogether. Therefore the opposing legs are not displaying correct foot timing either.
This photo whilst displaying a good top-line and some other good attributes of what was a great example of the breed for her time, does not display correct Bernese movement and certainly doesn't show correct foot timing.
At a trot, a Bernese should display a two beat rhythm in it's movement. Each opposing paw on the dog (Front-Right together with Rear-Left and Front-Left together with Rear-Right) should strike the ground at the same time. This is true for a Bernese moving at a slow trot or at a faster paced Flying trot.​

Picture
This photo better shows correct foot timing with front right and rear left paw contacting the ground at the same time. Notice the left front pastern is flexed and has left contact with the ground, as has the hind right paw.
6 Comments
Marieke link
2/24/2017 09:55:16 pm

Thanks for sharing Ben !

Reply
Valerie Hughes
2/25/2017 02:35:56 am

Very interesting

Reply
James stevens link
2/25/2017 06:23:57 am

Good point Ben well explained, exactly the same with horses, because of the size sometimes easier to observe. !!!

Reply
Kathy Worley
2/25/2017 07:01:05 am

Thanks for a concise explanation. Wish people would video tape their dogs and veiw them in slow motion. Another useful tool to help understand basic foot placement.

Reply
Wendy Pros
2/25/2017 08:43:32 am

Thanks for sharing this Ben, some very useful info.

Reply
Nancy Melone link
2/25/2017 11:08:12 am

Can you integrate into the discussion of foot timing the influence length of back has, if any?

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Ben Taylor and I am passionate about Bernese Mountain Dogs. I am an avid reader and will always be a student of the breed.

    Archives

    May 2018
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed