Gait analysis for sound dogs at a walk by using a pressure walkway

The purpose of this study was to evaluate spatio-temporal and pressure parameters in two different sized dogs: large-breed (Retriever) and small-breed dogs (Beagle), by using a pressure sensors walkway. 55 healthy adult dogs from 1 to 4.5 years old: 28 Retriever (mean weight: 29.7 kg) and 27 Beagle (mean weight: 10.8 kg) were tested by GAITRite (R) system. It is a portable pressure walkway of 4.3 meters long and 16128 sensors, which measures spatio-temporal and pressure parameters. Data collected included: stance time; relative stance time (stance time/stride time), stride time; stride length; peak vertical pressure, number of activated sensors by each paw; cadence and walking velocity. Symmetry left/right and ratio fore/hind limbs were also calculated. No significant difference for mean of velocity for Retriever (1.09 m/s) and Beagle dogs (1.14 m/s), but a significant different for the cadence between large (1.6) and small dogs (2.09) stride/s. No significant difference between the left and right forelimbs or left and right hind limbs for any parameters in either group. But the differences were significantly for all parameters between two groups. The values of fore/hind limb ratio in both groups showed a more significant distribution on the forelimb than the hind limb for stance time; relative stance time; the peak vertical pressure and were significantly difference between large and small dogs (1.07 versus 1.12; 1.08 versus 1.15 and 1.60 versus 1.45, respectively). The GAITRite (R) analysis system enables measurement of the spatial-temporal parameters of the dog at walk. The study of symmetry and ratio allow an easier and quicker gait analysis. The size of dogs influenced the fore/hind ratio and significant difference; however the left and right symmetry did not seem to be modified. Pressure, relative stance time and number of activated sensors were more important in the forelimb than for the hind limb.