Which signs indicate poor gait symmetry in a dog?

• A. Even stride length and symmetrical movement
• B. Head bobbing without stride length change
• C. Uneven stride length, head bobbing, and favoring a limb with abnormal vertical movement or stiffness on one side
• D. Normal vertical movement and balanced weight bearing

Answer: (C)

Assessing gait symmetry centers on recognizing coordinated, equal limb movement and balanced weight bearing. When gait symmetry is poor, you’ll commonly observe uneven stride length between limbs, head bobbing with each step, and the dog favoring a limb that shows abnormal vertical movement or stiffness on that side. This combination signals the animal is compensating for pain or dysfunction, producing an asymmetric gait. In contrast, signs of even stride length with symmetrical movement or normal vertical movement with balanced weight bearing indicate a normal, symmetric gait. Head bobbing alone without a change in stride length is less indicative of true asymmetry and can reflect other issues.