Iv been noticing that husky's tend to look like they walk a little funny, I thought maybe something was wrong with my pup then you tubed a bunch of huskies and they all seem to have that "Stiff" look to there back legs. Anyone know why this is???

Maybe you could video tape? I'm not sure what you mean.

Freya looks like that sometimes. I was considering getting her hips x-rayed when she goes in for her spay next month. just to see if there was anything related to her hips.

I will try to the next time I am at my dads, It looks like stiff knees, Ill show you a video I found on you tube, he looks just like this when he walks. https://youtu.be/IID5mRvwemc notice the knees seem stiff, thats how Thunder walks, and every husky I have seen does too, I must admit I got scared it was something wrong with the knees/hips but the vet said everything was normal.

Blaze walks different with his right back leg than theleft one.. I ask the vet about it he did not x-ray but did check him felt he would not extend his knee on his back legs.. Kerian does he show me using her how it should be.

I'm sure my 2 look stiff as well, like the knees don't bend, never thought it was odd.

Omg, yes! When I noticed Mya walking like that I thought it was her hips and took her to the vet, but then we got Kody and he walks like that too. So does Asia! Let me see if I have a video of them walking. I think I might...

I think that you can sort of tell on Kody in this video....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2OSY_xe7Vc

It has to be a husky thing, A lady saw me walking him and asked me "Whats wrong with his legs" now I have to explain that its nothing just a husky trait I Guess lol. So I am not insane for noticing this lol.

I guess I don't see it. They look like they walk like other dogs to me.

I think this is an all dog thing...

SaraB wrote:

I guess I don't see it. They look like they walk like other dogs to me.

Yea I agree, most dogs don't bend there knees when walking or trotting.

It's not a bending knee thing. It's more of a stiff hip walk thing...lol. That probably makes no sense, but I know what she means!

Balon's gait is definitely different then Ruby's (lab) he sort of prances lol.

two of mine have a stiff hip gait. I always thought it had to do with genetics and being breed to pull. More of a 4WD as apposed to 2WD.

Melissa I am glad you understand what I am trying to say lol.

SaraB wrote:

I guess I don't see it. They look like they walk like other dogs to me.

I'm the same, I've never seen a husky that walked different from any other dog.

Hmm, I am not sure if I know what you mean. But there is a website with video/motion capture of dog gaits that is used for teaching people about hip dysplasia, and it has video of a normal dog gait too. So you could look at that if you find it useful: http://www.heathercaprette.info/COTA_741_sp04/CanineLO_090504.html. It's a greyhound that they have for the normal gait, not a husky, but maybe it will still look like a familiar gait. You have to click 'begin' and then click 'skip to normal walking' and choose the video option (it goes automatically to the motion capture). Hope it helps.

The only husky I've seen recently who walks with a really stiff hip gait I'm pretty sure she has HD, cause she limps too.

Maybe it just looks off to me because someone mentioned it, he walks like all the other huskies iv seen.

I know what you mean because I obsess over my dogs and noticed that on Chili - had the vet check him over for hip dysplasia and he's fine (just like Melissa said!). After watching more huskies and other dogs walk, I realized it was normal and I was just being crazy husky mom. It's normal! hehe

hypers987 wrote:

SaraB wrote:

I guess I don't see it. They look like they walk like other dogs to me.

Yea I agree, most dogs don't bend there knees when walking or trotting.

i think this totally hits the nail on the head. i have noticed this in Thor. He can walk normally, but for the most part, he trots or prances, which is what i think you are describing. My bf and i have a running joke that his attitude (high head/prance/not listening to us when he doesn't want to) just screams "f* you, i am majestic."

There was just a conversation about this on my other forum! We were talking about form and function and someone brought up how it seems like dogs that were bred for pulling heavy loads have a stiff look to their walk, and their back legs look shorter than, say a herder, who needs the agility to get around a flock or herd while on rough terrain. Those dogs tend to be leggier and have a more loose gait. Now it was pretty much speculation based on observations, but it makes sense!