Bichon Frise with a double hop

[Jules35]

Bought my father a Bichon from a reputable breeder in Ontario. The dog is great, but we notice that when she walks, she tends to pick up her left rear leg, and double hops on the right rear leg to compensate. We've taken her to two different vets, who can't find anything wrong, however, no x-rays were done. The dog is not in pain, and can run like the dickens. There's nothing wrong with her feet, and when you palpate her whole left leg, she doesn't react, it's as if nothing's wrong. She lifts the leg when she walks in the house, on the street, but not on the snow. It's not a limp, she definitely picks the leg up.

I've observed her closely, and I think she lifts her leg from the hip, and her whole rear end tends to lift up for the double hop on the right rear leg. What do you think is wrong?...and...what if any diagnostic tests may assist in determining the cause?

[homer]

Hi Jules,

Can you be sure that the dog did not have some kind of recent accident while playing?

Maybe the dog was injured recently, or pulled something badly? Maybe it happened a while ago, and has since healed improperly?

You never know...