Dogsteps E-Book

Rachel Page Elliott

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Seitenzahl: 79

Beschreibung

Legendary breeder and world authority on canine movement Rachel Page Elliott's classic volume Dogsteps has been the definitive manual on canine movement for four decades. Dog show judges and breeders around the world have relied upon this straightforward text and its "cineradiographic" illustrations to gain a more complete understanding of canine gait. Even with the passing of its famous author in 2009, no other volume has stepped in the path of Dogsteps.Upon its publication in 1973, the Dog Writers Association of America bestowed upon Dogsteps its highest award "Best Book of the Year." More than an analytical look at canine gait, the book teaches the reader about canine anatomy and how each body part contributes to a dog's correct movement. In the show ring, judges evaluate a dog's movement to determine whether or not the dog is correctly structured: Dogsteps explains what the judge is—or should be—looking for in lay man's terms, making this book essential for all breeders, judges, exhibitors, and students of purebred dogs.The book begins by explaining the terminology commonly encountered in describing canine anatomy (e.g., stop, occiput, withers, hock, croup, etc.) and showing three comparative skeletons (dog, horse, and human), pointing out critical similarities and differences between each. The author describes the eight natural gaits of dogs and how each is accomplished in specific dogs; these include: walk, amble, pace, trot, hackney gait, suspension, canter, and gallop.Individual chapters are devoted to the topics of angulation, toplines and tails, front assemblies, and shoulder assemblies. Each chapter is illustrated with "moving x-rays" to give the reader a clearer picture of how each anatomical region affects the dog's gait, pointing out common flaws, the importance of correct structure, and how balance and ease of movement are achieved in a properly put-together dog.In an effort to provide dog breeders with a manual for breeding sound dogs, Rachel Page Elliott makes a case for correct structure as the most important aspect of keeping a breeder's line going strong. Recognizing faults in movement and structure, while not the primary intent of the book, allows the reader to be more aware of the many structural pitfalls that threaten the quality of many purebred dogs today. Beyond having a great breeder as a mentor, Dogsteps is the single best source for learning all there is to know about canine anatomy, structure, and movement. The author concludes, "Experience is a good teacher, but knowledge—with a little luck!—steers the shortest way to lasting success."

Leseprobe

Dogsteps — A New Look

A better understanding of dog gait through cineradiography (“moving X-rays”)

by RACHEL PAGE ELLIOTT

Illustrations, motion sequences and diagrams by the author. Additional drawings by Eve Andrade, Marcia Schlehr and Chris Lewis Brown.

Copyright © 2001, 2009, 2014 by i-5 Publishing, LLC™

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording, or by any information retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication

Elliott, Rachel Page.

Dogsteps : a new look / by Rachel Page Elliott ;

[edited by] Lisa Liddy ; illustrations by the author, Eve Andrade,

Chris Lewis Brown, Marcia Schlehr. -- 3rd ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

LCCN: 00-105573

ISBN: 0-944875-73-4

1. Dogs--Anatomy. 2. Gait in animals. 3. Dogs--

Breeding. I. Liddy, Lisa. II. Title.

SF767.D6E38 2000 636.7’089276

QBI00-699

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62187-096-8

i-5 Publishing, LLC™

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618

www.facebook.com/i5press

www.i5publishing.com

Dedication

To my husband, whose patience made it possible.

Cineradiography — What Is It?

At Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, a specially-equipped laboratory makes possible the simultaneous photographing and fluoroscoping of dogs as they move at controlled speeds on a treadmill. This procedure, known as cineradiography, is similar to “moving X-rays.” To make the films more graphic for the layman, Mrs. Elliott has traced them in simple drawings that enable us to clearly see what happens “inside” at the corresponding stage of the dog’s movement.

Foreword

There has long been need for understandable information on various points of great concern to dog breeders.

Too often, people supervise the breeding of dogs without knowledge of what they are doing to the breed from a hereditary standpoint. Of the many faults that can be produced, probably the most obvious are those which contribute to lameness or poor gait.

Mrs. Elliott has recognized this need for the education of dog breeders in the basics of sound gait and performance. Based upon her years of association with show and field trial dogs, study of reel after reel of movie film, and the application of her findings to her own dogs, she has prepared this fine book.

It is especially aimed for the layman, with clear, simple wording and easy-to-understand drawings. Study of this material will aid in recognizing what is good and what is faulty action, and the application of what is learned should produce rewarding results for the conscientious dog breeder.

I compliment Mrs. Elliott for her deep insight into problems, her tireless work, and her devotion to the improvement of dog breeds by careful selection of parents. I hope this high quality book will be the first of a series clearly showing what can be achieved by proper breeding of dogs.

—E.W. Tucker, D.V.M. (Past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and of the Massachusetts Veterinary Association.)

One of the most valuable and pleasurable experiences of my life has been my long association and cherished friendship with Rachel Page Elliott. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel with Pagey, primarily during the 1970’s and ’80’s, accompanying her to numerous seminars throughout the country. My job was to give a presentation on canine anatomy as a preliminary basis for her inspirational film and lecture on canine movement, and how a dog’s gait is correlated with his structure and soundness. I had the good fortune to spend many hours of discussion and deliberation with her on this subject during these trips, as well as the opportunity to come to know the remarkable person that she is. Pagey has always been an inquisitive, persistent and tireless worker in her pursuit of information. She has also been truly dedicated to her desire to help the dog enthusiast, whether he be novice or long time exhibitor, breeder or judge, to better understand the fundamentals of sound movement. I personally learned a great deal through my association with Pagey, and I consider her my highly respected and valued mentor, not only for her expertise in this field, but also as a most knowledgeable and devoted authority on her beloved Golden Retrievers.

Based upon her lectures came the publication of the first edition of her book Dogsteps in 1973. This reference work was a much needed and well-received addition to authoritative canine literature. Since then, she pursued her research with diligent and painstaking work utilizing cineradiography with Dr. Farish Jenkins at Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. In 1983, she shared these radiographic findings on canine bone and joint motion with the dog fraternity in the second edition, entitled The New Dogsteps. These new findings were received with controversy from some individuals, but as a veterinarian with great interest in canine anatomy and movement, I am thoroughly convinced that there should be no contention over facts she so clearly presented.

It is with great anticipation that we have been looking forward to this latest revision of Mrs. Elliott’s authoritative book, if indeed there can be further additions or improvements over the previous version. This valuable work needs to be studied thoughtfully and thoroughly, if we are to fully understand and appreciate good canine movement.

—Elizabeth Trainor, D.V.M.

A strong, even gait is desirable in all breeds…

no matter the size… the shape… or purpose.

Author’s Introduction

Dogsteps—A New Look is designed to make easier the recognition of normal and faulty ways in which the dog moves.

Gait tells much about a dog’s structure that is not revealed when he is standing still, as it reflects his physical coordination, balance of body and soundness. The correlation between gait and structure is frequently misunderstood and—in a time when growing interest in dogs as family pets tends to lessen awareness of the need for stamina and working ability—its significance is often overlooked.

Sound movement contributes to the health and normal lifespan of all dogs. It is as desirable a feature in the family pet as it is important to the usefulness of dogs for hunting, farm work, police duty or racing; and without it show winners can never achieve true excellence. Also, sound dogs are happier dogs. This emphasis is not to detract from the value of type and temperament, which are necessary for the preservation of any breed, but rather to underline the truth of the old saying, “As a dog moves, so is he built.”

Dogs do not all move alike. Differences in size and shape influence their way of going. The flashy step of a small terrier, for example, or the brisk trot of a Welsh Corgi, is not the same as the easy, loose stride of Bloodhounds or Newfoundlands. And the spirited drive of proud-headed Setters lends contrast to the patient scent- trailing action of BassetHounds. Through the centuries man has developed various kinds of dogs to meet his needs and his fancies, and their individuality today is the result of long years of selective breeding.

Varied as dogs are, however, the principle by which they cover the ground is the same for all and is dictated by nature. This is the law of balance and gravity, which is constantly directed toward efficient forward motion with a minimum waste of effort—the key to good movement. When man upsets this law through inattention to sound structure, nature has to compensate for his mistakes with counterbalances which show up in faulty gaiting patterns.

Incorrect movement, either temporary or permanent, can also occur as a result of lameness due to sprains, breaks, cuts, bruises or other reasons, but these should be recognized for what they are and not confused with inherited defects. Faults vary in severity and frequency from dog to dog and from breed to breed, but they are universal to the canine world—constantly challenging our search for perfection.

While one does not have to be a student of anatomy to appreciate dogs, the ability to recognize good and poor movement is basic for a working knowledge. To be sure, movement is quicker than the eye, but the educated eye knows better what to look for, and the eye that understands is not easily deceived. In the course of my study on this subject, I have taken slow-motion movies, from which I have drawn animated sequences showing various phases of leg action at different angles to the viewer. Included also, are a few skeletal suggestions to help the reader visualize bone and joint movement beneath coat and muscles. Some of the illustrations may appear to be exaggerated— actually they are not; most are tracings from frames of my movie films.

There is no intention to associate any of the technical sketches with a particular breed—for all are vulnerable. Except for some of the pencil drawings showing dogs at work, most of the studies portray dogs moving at the trot, as this gait is generally considered best for evaluating movement as it relates to build. However, some examples of other gaits have also been included for identification and comparison.

For newcomers, interest in Dogsteps—ANew Look may be simply in owning a good dog. Nevertheless, we hope there is something of value here for all dog fanciers, and particularly the many breeders who are striving to raise better puppies.

Addendum