Page 15 - Chow Life - 2025 01 Spring

Retaining Stilted/

Pendulum Gait

A Different Angle

by BERNICE LEROY, Ciao Chows, South Africa

There is international lament for loss of the Chow
Chow’s unique and millenniums old stilted/
pendulum gait. This being a major defining
characteristic of our breed, it is a very serious
matter. Few can explain technically why the Chow
Chow stilts, and equally few have actually seen
correct stilted / pendulum gait. If the greater
number of breeders cannot technically understand
what exactly brings about stilted/pendulum gait,
how can they produce it, select for it or educate
judges? If the greater number of judges do not
Bernice Leroy has technically understand or see correct stilted/
been involved with pendulum gait, how can they accurately reward
chow chows since it? Most are looking for a quick and easy answer,
1995. Whilst showing they are ‘too busy’ to do in-depth research – typical
on a limited basis, she of our fast-paced instant gratification society.
has bred and owned Vague explanations such as the misleading half-
"in Show" winners truth ‘it is because of the straighter stifle’ lead
and championed 26 to atrocities such as the 2008 apparently poorly
chow chows, amongst researched program aired on the BBC, supported by
which 17 homebreds predominantly laymen, Animal Rights Activists and,
since 2002. She has at least initially, inappropriately responded to by UK
been privileged to Kennel Club.
count amongst her
mentors some of FRONT
the Chow Chow As with the stilted/pendulum rear gait, there is a
world's, as well as growing voice of concern amongst knowledgeable
some of dogdom's, breeders, specialist and all-breeds judges with
greats - attributing regards to the prevalence of incorrect fronts on
her understanding Chow Chows. Is it just by chance that along with
to this in-depth and the loss of the true stilted gait in the rear, we
generous mentorship.
have incorrect fronts escalating? Could it just be
coincidence that elbow health statistics for the
breed are not good as incorrect fronts increase?
Why do we say that the front assembly will affect

13