[Jem121]

I have 3 jack Russells. And my female Holly does it, and there's nothing wrong with her knee caps or joints just something she does. Like the ever so famous 'jack Russell shakes'

 

[Happy Paws2]

Thinking about it about it the JR we had when I was still at school did that, and I've seen lots of JRs doing the odd little skip just thought it was a JR thing.

 

[Ceiling Kitty]

Patella luxation. Usually not painful, the dogs are fine.

Occasionally can cause pain or problems if it's high grade, in which case surgery is recommended. It usually doesn't come to that.

It is a congenital deformity, common in small breeds.

 

[cheekymonkey68]

Toby has serious terrier shakes, but the hoppy thing, only if he has something stuck in or between his pads...

 

[bella2013]

Tess does this she has a grade 1 luxating patella, the vet said it wont bother her and he said it in no way warrants an op, she does agility and runs round like a loom, she hops more when she is sort of trotting rather than running.

 

[astra]

My Mums Bichon has it in both back legs, but thankfully very mild. The vets have said he's fine, and could go all his life without the need for surgery.

 

[Sarah H]

It's more commonly referred to as "the terrier hop", very common, most JRT's have this hop to their gait. I can't ever remember seeing a terrier without one, that's not to say there haven't been any, I just can't remember one.

My Floyd does it too when he's on the lead, but never when he's running full pelt after his ball, he needs all his feet then!

I had a discussion recently about the 'terrier hop' with a kennel worker as one of the jrt's had quite a bad one, and he said he'd hardly ever seen one without a hop!

I have 3 jack Russells. And my female Holly does it, and there's nothing wrong with her knee caps or joints just something she does. Like the ever so famous 'jack Russell shakes'

My old PRT had the terrier shakes all his life (but never the hop), whereas I've noticed Nooka does a hop, usually when going from a trot to a run (or from a run to a trot). So when we're next at the vets I'll get them to have a feel. She doesn't do it a lot so it's probably only mild PL, but better safe than sorry

 

[Guest]

My grandparents' dog (not a terrier) needed surgery for her luxating patella, but she seems to be fine now.

 

[Sosha]

Terrier shakes but only hops when he's trodden in something. I do occasionally get a "he's hurt his foot" when he stands with a front paw in the air - he hasn't - he's smelt something. OH's border will occasionally throw a skip in.

 

[Muze]

It's usually low grade luxating patellas.

My Mum's staffy had it very severely and need corrective surgery.

Find it odd how people casually dismiss it, just because the dog 'does ok' with it, doesn't mean they are fit to be bred from IMO.... most small breeds seem to be prone to it nowadays, presumably partly because of that attitude

 

[Rafa]

It is usually some degree of patella luxation that causes them to hop this way. It doesn't usually cause lameness.

My JR has this in both hind legs, but my vet is reluctant to operate. It doesn't seem to trouble her or stop her from doing anything.

It is more common in small breeds, but particularly the shorter legged ones.

 

[metaldog]

I agreed it's caused by patella luxation. Pippi JRT doesn't hop, ever

What is Jack Russell Shakes? Pippi trembles when she's excited but has to sit still, is that what it is?

 

[Mum2Heidi]

Heidi used to (Westie x JR) but now you mention it, I realise she's stopped.
One of 2 reasons - either a course of Mobile Bones supplement or less exercise during the hot weather.

Will keep a close eye on her and try to keep it this way.

 

[Davescalez]

I wondered if there are any terrier owners or breeders could tell my why a jack russ may lift one of their back legs up and keep it up for a couple of steps. Is there a problem or is it due to breeding line? or is it just normal, My boy is 11 and has always done it and i noticed other russells do it. Im just very curious any ideas?

I have the same issue and wondered if I could be walking him too much

 

[Happy Paws2]

We had and JR that always ran like that, nothing wrong with her legs.

 

[Davescalez]

oh no hes been like it 11 years, the vet couldnt find anything wrong but I didnt have it xrayed, it does seem to be a trait in may jack russells is it due to their breeding

One thing if observed is that he will run at the speed of light! At young age I suppose could sprain or twist his leg somewhere, it does stop after a lot of rest, he falls over himself sometimes trying to keep p with faster dogs