Have you ever met a dog that appears to “walk sideways,” or with its body curved or at an angle? They move forward in a straight line, but it looks like their back legs are a bit off to the side from their front legs.
This unusual-looking walk can surprise people who haven’t seen it before, but it’s actually quite common. So common, in fact, that there’s a specific word for it: crabbing. According to the AKC Glossary, crabbing (also known as sidewinding) is “when a dog moves with its body at an angle to the line of travel.”
Read on to learn why some dogs walk sideways, and how to tell the difference between regular old crabbing and something more serious.
How dogs move
Before we look at why some dogs walk sideways, let’s consider how dogs move in general. Dogs have four main types of gaits, or patterns of limb movement (source):
- Walk: the dog lifts each foot from the ground one at a time in regular sequence (first one rear foot, then the front foot on that same side, then the other rear foot, then the front foot on that side). Three legs are in support of the body at all times.
- Trot: a two-beat diagonal gait in which the feet at diagonal opposite ends of the body strike the ground together; for example, front right with hind left, and front left with hind right. Between steps, their entire body is suspended in the air for a moment.
- Canter: a three-beat gait that is a bit slower than a trot. In a rotary canter, dogs move their feet forward in a pattern of 1-2-1: hind foot, then opposite hind foot and its front diagonal, then the other front foot. The foot they start off with is known as the “leading foot.”
- Gallop: a four-beat gait, and the speediest dog gait of all. While galloping, a dog starts with its spine flexed and two rear feet on the ground, the lead foot slightly ahead of the other. Next, the dog extends its spine, stretching its front feet forward, which hit the ground with one foot (the lead foot) slightly ahead of the other. The dog then flexes the spine to bring the rear feet forward to start the cycle again.
In addition to these four basic gaits, the amble and pace are also often included in lists of canine gaits. The study of dog movement is actually quite a large field, and different breeds have different expected gaits. Dog owners with questions about their specific breed’s typical gaits can look this information up or consult a veterinarian. The AKC page on canine gaits is a good starting place, as is this article with more detail on gait research.
What do gaits have to do with whether or not a dog “crabwalks?” Well, you may have noticed that dogs who walk sideways are able to run in a straight line. That’s because in a full-on gallop, the dog’s feet move in a parallel pattern with the spine leading the way, making for a straighter body alignment. In a walk, trot, or canter, on the other hand, their feet move diagonally. For some dogs, those diagonal gaits necessitate crabbing to avoid tripping over their own feet.
Why some dogs walk sideways
Now that you know about the different types of dog gaits, you may be wondering: why do some dogs walk sideways? Well, if you watch people walk down the street, you’ll notice that everyone has a distinct walk. Dogs are the same way; their shape and size, the condition of their joints, and their training all contribute to their particular way of walking.
For the most part, dogs who “crabwalk” with their back legs a bit off to one side from the front are just built that way. In particular, dogs with short body length and long legs can have a hard time trotting in a straight line because their back legs interfere with their front legs. Some types of dog are more likely to walk sideways:
- Border collies
- German shepherds
Any dog with long legs may be prone to “crabbing,” which helps them avoid tripping over their own feet. The body twists slightly to allow the back feet to pass to one side of the front feet. Dogs who “walk sideways” are actually moving forward and laterally at the same time (source).
Other causes of sideways walking
If your dog has always tended to crabwalk or sidewind, chances are, that’s just the way their body is built. But if their gait changes all of a sudden, it could be a sign of something else.
Some reasons dogs may alter their gait and start walking sideways:
- Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip ball and socket joint
- Vestibular Disease, a sudden, non-progressive disturbance of balance that commonly impacts older dogs (more info here)
- Injury or pain
If your dog’s gait changes suddenly and they appear to be uncomfortable, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. But if they’ve always walked that way and it doesn’t interfere with their other regular functions, don’t worry. The vast majority of sidewinding, crabbing, or sideways-walking dogs are simply moving as their body demands. It’s just one of the many quirks of your unique best friend!
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