Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We all know what the Cane Corso movement looks like, but what is the correct gait if we have to explain it in words? How to successfully analyze movement in a Cane Corso? How much movement reveals about Cane Corso anatomy? While we are watching the dog in gait, a static – frozen moment in gait, you will be able to see its quality the easiest and fastest. But what about dynamic, while the dog is moving? Could you recognize movement potential in the Cane Corso puppy? This time I will talk about the Cane Corso movement, so let’s start from the beginning for better understanding.

The Cane Corso movement is free-flowing and powerful, yet effortless, with strong reach and drive. Long stride which means extended trot. As the dog accelerates, the feet converge toward a center line of gravity in a near-single track. When viewed from the side, the topline remains level and strong, but minimal roll or bounce is acceptable.

To be able to learn everything about the Cane Corso movement, we must delineate 4 segments in the movement, and those are:

• The space segment;
• The practicality segment;
• The segment of flexibility;
• The coordination segment.

The space segment

The space segment implies that the dog must have an optimal, proportional step-out (reach) of the front and rear legs provided by the standard. This segment includes a competitive walk-step and maximally fast trot. In those cases, the hind legs exceed the track of the front paws. While the front legs must take up enough space.

The front and rear reach of the dog is of the same length. The shoulder blades’ crest and tips are the highest points of the top line, which must remain firm and well-connected. Only anatomically harmonious Cane Corsos with good angulation of the legs may have an excellent Cane Corso movement. The optimal trunk length and angulation enable ease in the stride, not excessively long back and short legs.

The practicality segment

The practicality segment refers to rational, that is, the economical consumption of energy. This segment is closely related to the previous one. Due to bad angulation, the dog has less reach and gains less space. That is why the dog is forced to increase the frequency of steps to reach the same speed as a well-built Cane Corso. As a result, energy is wasted and the dog gets tired faster.

There are dogs with too long a stride. Such an appearance is a consequence of the rear legs being too angulated. Due to too-long lower legs and too-long steep upper arms which is not making the good Cane Corso movement.

A high swinging of the front legs ( like a horse parade) causes the dog to waste energy. At the same time, the reach is compromised. To people who are not experts, this seems attractive, but this is wrong.

The flexibility segment

The flexibility segment concerns the stretchability and flexibility of the “softness” muscles and the suppleness of the movement. For a dog to have a flexible and optimal gait, it must have elastic muscles, ligaments, and elastic joints. Shoulder and pelvic-femoral joints – hips. The knee joint as well as the ankle joint bears the greatest load.

Good angulation and elasticity of the dog’s front legs are especially important because they cushion the Cane Corso movement of the hind legs. Dogs with open angulations and steep forelegs with metacarpus (pastern), walk stiffly and have a short step because they have no flexibility and the paw collides directly with the ground without cushioning.

Figuratively and hypothetically speaking, such a dog looks like he is walking on stilts. His joints and ligaments bear heavy loads, so such an individual gets tired more easily. Heavy Corsos, dogs with more than optimal muscle mass, due to muscle stiffness, lack flexibility, their reach in movement is short.

The coordination segment

The coordination segment implies that the dog must have a proper sequence of steps at every moment. This segment concerns the neuro-muscular processes, correct structure, and psychomotor maturity of the individual, it is very important how old the dog is. Young dogs, up to a year old, do not have good coordination.

This is understandable because it is achieved by the maturation and strength of bones, training, and maturation of muscles. Which would mean only in the second year of life. Proper coordination of Cane Corso movement allows the dog to maintain body stability when moving.

These explanations were individual when it comes to the regions and areas of the front and hind legs. In combination with the movement, they function as a whole, and as one complex very thing. This requires special attention when evaluating the quality of the Cane Corso movement. In contrast to statics, the dynamics of movement are much more difficult to observe and define, so it requires a lot of practice for a Cane Corso expert to correctly and accurately observe small nuances in the differences in length at high speeds. Excellent theoretical Cane Corso knowledge, and then the practical study of live dogs and comparison of individuals provide an excellent basis for a proper evaluation of the dog’s way of moving.

In some of the upcoming articles, I will talk about movement types and explain in very detail the right Cane Corso movement.