Walking at the feet with the handler watching is a command that is taught to competition and working dogs in obedience. Unlike other canine sports, research in the area of competitive obedience is limited and no research has been published regarding the biomechanical adaptations of walking at the foot with handler tracking. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in vertical ground reaction forces, paw pressure distribution (PPD) and centre of gravity (COP) in Belgian Malinois during footfall gait. Ten healthy Belgian malinois were included in the study. The dogs first walked without handler monitoring (normal gait) and then with handler monitoring on a pressure platform. A significant decrease in vertical impulse and standing phase duration (SPD) and a significant increase in craniocaudal index and COP velocity were observed in the thoracic limbs during the foot gait compared to normal gait. For the pelvic limbs, a significant increase in vertical impulse and SPD was observed during stance gait. Regarding PPD, a significant decrease in vertical impulse was observed in the cranial quadrants of the right thoracic limb and the craniolateral quadrant of the left thoracic limb during gait with handler monitoring. The area was significantly reduced in the craniolateral quadrant of the left thoracic limb, and the time for peak vertical force was significantly prolonged in the caudal quadrants of the right thoracic limb during gait with handler monitoring. Vertical impulse was significantly increased in all quadrants of the pelvic limbs except the craniolateral quadrant of the left pelvic limb. The effect of these changes on the musculoskeletal system of working dogs should be investigated in further studies using electromyography and kinematic analysis.
AK Vet Med
