Movement Matters: Evaluating the Poodle in Motion
A poodle can be picture-perfect when stacked, but true breed type and functional soundness are proven in motion. After all, a dog isn’t meant to stand still—it’s meant to move with efficiency, balance, and purpose. Evaluating movement gives insight into a dog’s structure, health, and suitability for work, performance, or breeding.
Why Movement Evaluation Is Critical
- Form Follows Function: Correct conformation should result in efficient, effortless movement. Faulty movement often reveals underlying structural issues that aren’t always obvious when a dog is standing still.
- Confirms Balance: A dog may appear balanced when stacked, but once in motion, imbalance (such as over-angulation or lack of front reach) becomes clear.
- Long-Term Health Indicator: How a dog moves gives you clues about how its joints, muscles, and skeletal system will hold up over time. Dogs who move inefficiently tend to tire quickly or develop injuries earlier in life.
- Preserving Breed Purpose: Standard Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers. Their movement should reflect their ability to cover ground effortlessly with stamina and agility.
What to Look for in Poodle Movement
- Effortless, Ground-Covering Gait: The stride should be long, reaching in front and driving from the rear with ease and grace. Poodles should not appear choppy or stilted.
- Head and Tail Carriage: The head should be carried high with a proud, effortless demeanor. The tail should be up, continuing the line of the spine without curling tightly over the back.
- Topline Stability: The back should remain level and strong while moving—no bouncing, roaching, or sagging.
- Footfall and Tracking: Poodles should single-track at a trot, meaning their legs converge toward the center line as speed increases. Watch for crabbing (side-winding), crossing over, or paddling.
- Symmetry and Timing: Each front foot should correspond with its opposite rear foot in rhythm. Equal reach and drive are key.
How to Properly Evaluate Movement
- Evaluate at a Moderate Trot: This is the ideal gait for identifying structure and efficiency. Move at a speed that encourages the dog to extend, but not race.
- View From All Angles:
- From the Side: Look for reach and drive, topline stability, and an effortless stride.
- A level topline from withers to croup—no bounce or dip.
- The head held high on a well-arched neck, showing pride without strain.
- Forelegs extending forward with reach, ideally with the paw landing under the nose.
- Hind legs driving back with strength, extending fully at the hock joint.
- The front and rear legs showing equal reach and drive—balanced movement.
- Feet close to the ground on extension—no wasted motion or high stepping.
- Tail carried up as a continuation of the spine, not tightly curled or dropped.
Description: “The Poodle’s side gait should be fluid, rhythmic, and effortless. Each stride covers ground efficiently, with no pounding or wasted energy. You should see the dog moving as if they could trot all day.
- From the Front: Watch for foot timing, proper placement, and any signs of toeing in or out.
- As speed increases, the legs converge toward a centerline under the dog.
- Feet land in a straight line, with no winging, paddling, or weaving.
- Elbows stay close to the body without pinching or flaring.
- The chest appears as a steady platform—no rolling or swaying side to side.
Description: “When viewed from the front, the Poodle’s movement should be clean and true. The feet converge toward a centerline as speed increases, but there’s no interference between the legs.”
- From the Rear: Observe for parallel movement, hocks driving straight, and convergence to center.
- Hind legs moving parallel to each other.
- Hocks driving straight back—no cow-hocks (hocks turning in) or bowing out.
- Pads of the feet visible as they push off the ground.
- No weaving, crabbing, or spinning out of the hocks.
Description: “From behind, you should see two strong, parallel limbs driving the Poodle forward, with hocks extending in a straight line. There should be no wobbling or inefficiency in the motion.”
- Footfall Pattern:
- The sequence of steps showing a diagonal trot: left front moves with right rear, and vice versa.
- Convergence toward a centerline without crossing over.
- Clean, purposeful strides—no unnecessary lift or drag.
Description: “A correct footfall pattern at a trot demonstrates diagonal coordination and balance. The stride is efficient and rhythmic, helping the Poodle conserve energy while maintaining speed and agility.”
- Evaluate on Different Surfaces: Movement should be smooth on grass, dirt, and hard surfaces. Some faults are more visible on uneven ground.
- Use Video for Review: Filming movement allows you to slow down the gait and spot minor issues you may miss in real time.
- Evaluate More Than Once: Dogs move differently depending on energy level, footing, and mood. Multiple evaluations give you a fuller picture.
Source: Poodle Club of America Illustrated Study of the Standard Poodle Breed 1992
Best Practices for Movement Evaluation
- Conditioning Matters: A fit dog moves differently than an out-of-shape one. Ensure the dog is in appropriate condition to evaluate.
- Don’t Over-Handle: A natural gait shows more than a forced, over-handled one. Let the dog move freely on a loose lead.
- Experienced Handlers Make a Difference: Have someone experienced gait your dog if you’re watching, or film yourself if alone.
- Compare Generations: Evaluate movement over generations to track improvements or issues developing in your line.
- Tip: Evaluate the Trim in Motion and on the Table
➤ The best way to evaluate your Poodle trim is to see it on the table as well as in motion. What looks balanced and correct while stacked can sometimes exaggerate or hide faults when the dog is moving. Watch for breaks in the outline, uneven scissoring, or areas where coat may hinder the view of the dog’s true structure and gait. Clean, balanced trimming complements correct movement.
The Bottom Line
Movement is the ultimate test of structure and balance. As breeders, we must prioritize correct, efficient movement to ensure we are preserving the Poodle as a versatile, athletic, and sound breed. It’s not just about winning in the ring—it’s about producing dogs that can live long, active, and healthy lives.
Here’s a solid list of the primary, most respected books on canine movement—essentials for anyone serious about understanding structure and gait in dogs. These are frequently recommended by breeders, judges, and handlers:
📚 Books on Canine Movement
- Dog Steps
By Rachel Page Elliott- Considered the foundational book on canine movement. It uses clear diagrams and slow-motion photography to explain gait and structure in an easy-to-understand way.
- First published in 1973, but still highly relevant today.
- Bonus: There’s also a companion DVD for visual learners.
- Dog Locomotion and Gait Analysis
By Curtis M. Brown, DVM- More technical, with a scientific deep dive into gait analysis and movement.
- Great for those who want to understand the biomechanics behind different gaits.
- Canine Terminology
By Harold R. Spira- While not solely about movement, it offers detailed explanations of the terms used to describe canine structure and movement.
- Essential for understanding what judges and breed standards are describing.
- The New Dog Steps: A Better Understanding of Dog Gait Through Cineradiography
By Rachel Page Elliott- This is an updated, enhanced version of Dog Steps, with additional insights and motion studies.
- It’s a great companion to the original, with updated visuals and explanations.
- Structure in Action: The Makings of a Durable Dog
By Pat Hastings & Erin Ann Rouse- Focuses on how structure and movement impact a dog’s ability to perform.
- Combines theory with practical application, great for breeders and performance enthusiasts.
- The Dog in Action
By McDowell Lyon- Classic and comprehensive. Explores the principles of movement and structure, with detailed diagrams.
- Dense but informative—perfect for someone who wants depth.
- Advanced Canine Reproduction and Puppy Care
By Myra Savant Harris- While not exclusively about movement, it includes important notes on structural soundness and how it relates to longevity and breeding decisions.
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