Bunny Hopping

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

When Cooper is excited, or is having great fun playing outside, she will bunny hop. Now, while this is so cute to see, it worries me a little. Ive read that bunny hopping is a sign of hip displaysia. 

 

I know its usual for puppies to bunny hop, but when do they generally grow out of it? Cooper is a standard ALD, 1 year 8 months old. She is from a great breeder (here on DK) and her parents were tested. But I know there are no guarentees.

 

Am I being an overly worried parent or should I be concerned?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think you're being an overly worried parent. Bunny-hopping is a sign of HD. And we have had other doodles here who have had HD, even though they are from very reputable breeders and both parents' hips were tested. I would definitely check with your vet. I hope the results show that you are being overly worried, but I think it's important to check it out, because if there is something going on, it's better to catch it sooner rather than later.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My two bunny hop in the snow and when playing sometimes. Adina had posted a great video about recognizing abnormal gaits but who knows how to find it since the search function doesn't work. Adina may have it bookmarked somewhere. But I don't think this bunny hopping alone would be a cause for concern.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I came in here to tell her the same thing about Adina's video and post. 

Take a video and post it here on DK.  Maybe others with past experience will recognize or hopefully not recognize the signs.    Any other signs: clicking?

Take a video and show it to the vet.   It would be hard for a vet to go out into an open field and see what you are describing.    Do keep us informed. 

[Ellen]

I'm glad that you posted this because I've noticed recently that my Riley tends to bunny hop when running, and I'm interested in the replies that you get.  

 

Does anybody have a link to the hip dysplasia videos that Adina posted?  I remember seeing them, but I can't seem to find the link via a word search.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Both of my guys bunny hop when they're playing in the snow.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Found I found it by searching through adina'sdiscussions. weird how a few of the search functions work.
http://accad.osu.edu/~hcaprett/COTA_741_sp04/CanineLO_090504.html.

[Ellen]

Thanks!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

http://accad.osu.edu/~hcaprett/COTA_741_sp04/CanineLO_090504.html

 

I had it on my favorites.

[L.M.]

When my pups reach a certain speed when they run, I notice that they seem to bunny hop too.....Only if they are running really fast and doing lots of turning/ circling when running.  They also do this in the snow as well.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/cooper-in-the-snow

 

this is the best video of her I have right now, taken a few weeks ago - it shows her bunny hopping as well as walking and trotting

 

Having checked out the hip dysplasia video I think Cooper is ok.... at least for now.... she is still young so i will keep and eye on her. She does seem to walk somewhat stiffly but having seem young poodles do the same I think maybe its a poodle thing. ill try to get a video of her inside walking 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

After watching the video twice there was nothing unusual that I could see--thank goodness.  I'm no expert though.

[F, Calla & Luca]

No expert either but I'll second that. I'd be really surprised if anything's wrong. She runs , walks and trots beautifully.