SYMPTOM
Skipping gait
A distinctive hopping or skipping movement where the dog briefly lifts one hind leg during normal walking or trotting.
Patellar luxation
Medial or lateral patellar luxation is the most common cause of a skipping gait in dogs, particularly in small and toy breeds. The patella intermittently displaces from its groove on the femur, mechanically locking the knee in a flexed position for a few strides before the quadriceps muscle repositions it. This produces the characteristic pattern of a sudden hop or skip followed by a return to normal walking. The frequency and duration of skipping episodes can vary from rare and brief to frequent and prolonged, depending on the grade and stability of the luxation.
Intermittent musculoskeletal pain
Brief episodes of pain originating from joints, muscles, or tendons can produce a momentary gait change that resembles skipping. The animal may favour the affected limb for a few strides when the pain is provoked by a specific movement or weight-bearing angle, then resume normal gait when the pain subsides. This pattern can be seen with early osteoarthritis, soft tissue injuries, or minor joint instabilities that produce intermittent rather than constant discomfort.
Neuromuscular
Some neurological conditions can produce intermittent gait abnormalities that may resemble the skipping pattern associated with patellar luxation. Conditions affecting the nerve supply to the hind limbs, or those producing intermittent muscle spasm or involuntary contraction, can create momentary gait irregularities. The pattern may differ from patellar luxation in its consistency and the specific limb movements involved, but the distinction may not always be obvious to the observer.
Habitual or learned behaviour
In some dogs, a skipping gait pattern that originally developed due to a structural cause may persist as a learned movement pattern even if the underlying cause has been resolved. Additionally, some dogs develop gait asymmetries or movement quirks that are not associated with an identifiable pathological process. However, a new or progressive skipping pattern generally warrants investigation to identify any underlying structural or functional cause.
Why timing matters
Early observation
When a skipping gait is first noticed, it may occur infrequently — perhaps once during a walk or only during specific activities such as trotting or turning. The episodes may be so brief that they are initially dismissed as a stumble or a momentary hitch in the stride. In small breed dogs, the association with patellar luxation is strong enough that even rare episodes of skipping warrant attention to the kneecap's stability. Early skipping may occur only in specific circumstances such as when the dog is excited, moving quickly, or changing direction, reflecting a patella that luxates under particular mechanical conditions but is otherwise stable.
Later presentation
As the underlying cause progresses — whether through worsening patellar instability, developing cartilage damage, or accumulating secondary osteoarthritis — the skipping episodes may become more frequent, last longer, and occur during lower-intensity activities. The dog may begin to show additional signs such as hind leg stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump, or a crouched gait in the hind limbs. In bilateral cases, alternating skipping between both hind legs may develop. The transition from occasional skipping to a more persistent gait abnormality often reflects progressive structural deterioration and increasing functional limitation.
The trajectory of a skipping gait depends heavily on the underlying cause and its grade of severity. Many dogs with low-grade patellar luxation maintain a stable, intermittent skipping pattern for years without significant worsening. Others experience a gradual increase in frequency and duration of episodes as the supporting structures stretch and the groove erodes. A sudden worsening — from intermittent skipping to consistent lameness — may indicate a change in the joint such as cruciate ligament compromise, which is a recognised secondary complication of patellar instability. Understanding whether the pattern has remained stable or is progressing is important for determining the most appropriate management approach.
Conditions commonly associated
Luxating Patella in Dogs
Skipping gait is the hallmark sign of patellar luxation, occurring when the kneecap displaces from its groove and momentarily locks the knee in flexion before the quadriceps repositions it. This produces the characteristic brief hop or skip followed by a return to normal walking.
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Dogs with hip dysplasia may develop compensatory gait patterns including occasional skipping to reduce loading on painful hip joints.
Patellar Luxation
The characteristic intermittent hop occurs when the kneecap temporarily moves out of its groove then returns.
When to explore further
A skipping pattern that is increasing in frequency over weeks to months, occurring with less provocation, or lasting for more strides before resolving may suggest progressive instability or worsening of the underlying structural cause.
When skipping is accompanied by other gait changes such as stiffness after rest, a crouched hind limb stance, or reduced willingness to engage in activities involving the hind legs, the combination may indicate that the condition is producing secondary joint changes beyond the primary instability.
A sudden change from intermittent skipping to persistent or severe lameness in a dog with known patellar instability may suggest a secondary complication such as cruciate ligament injury, which can occur at a higher rate in knees with abnormal patellar mechanics.
Skipping that develops in a medium or large breed dog, or that affects the forelimbs rather than the hind limbs, may have different implications than the typical small-breed hind limb skipping associated with medial patellar luxation, and may warrant investigation of alternative causes.
Capturing video of the skipping episodes on a smartphone can be particularly valuable, as the behaviour may not occur during a veterinary visit when the dog is in an unfamiliar environment. Recording the gait during normal walks, play sessions, and transitions from rest to activity creates a visual record that can be shared with veterinary professionals and compared over time to assess whether the pattern is changing. Noting the specific circumstances that tend to trigger episodes — such as pace, direction of travel, surface type, or duration of activity — can help build a picture of the mechanical conditions under which the gait abnormality occurs.
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026 · Dr Alastair Greenway MRCVS