Hi,
I have a Patterdale 2.5 years old. She is my first terrier so am unsure whether 3 legged running is normal in the terrier breed, I have friends with other types of terrier and they have told me it is a terrier thing and I shouldn't worry, however I do worry. She walks and runs very fast on 4 legs, but when she trots it is usually on 3 legs with one of her back legs held up. I don't think she is in pain or discomfort it seems more of a habit than anything joint related.
Are there any terrier owners out there that can put my mind at rest. Obviously if I felt she was in pain I would be waiting at the vets door at daybreak, however if it is a terrier 'thing' then I will just ignore it.

Luxating patella from what I've read can be a problem that causes the dog to not want to put it's foot to the ground even though they show no sign of pain.

They could have been running around quite merrily then the knee pops out so they stop putting the foot down and walk/trot three legged.
Then when the knee moves back into place they walk or run as normal again.

I would perhaps consider a vet check even though there is no evidence of pain

That sounds very much like luxating patella; the kneecap slipping in and out of its groove. It's very common in certain terriers and other small breeds.

Sounds like luxating patella to me too. It is very common in terriers, but I find it strange how many people accept it as being okay--any wear on a joint will lead to arthritis. I had a terrier who had a very successful op for this and she lived to a great age, with no arthritis in her hind legs at all.

I had a Jack Russell with slipping patella.She would sometimes carry a leg and other times skip between steps. She was diagnosed at around 2 years of age,i put her natural  anti arthritis supplements including fish oils,glucosamine and tumeric and she lived a very active life including flushing out pheasants on shoots working all day until she was 16 years old. I would only go down the surgery route if it was severe... my vet told me it actually lessens with age as the joint becomes less moblie which is exactly what happened with her...it was just important to try and keep any arthritis as minimal as possible.

>but I find it strange how many people accept it as being okay

I'm with you on this one Zan.   I had a Toy Poodle with the problem, and she had both legs done.  Naturally, I didn't breed from her, but she lived a very good life, and I had her until just before her 17th birthday.

I would tell anyone that it's worth it.  She never had arthritis problems, and could do a standing jump to my shoulder.  It was an extremely successful operation, worth every penny.

Sadly Luxating Patellas are so common among some terrier types that people think it's a typical trait.

Many thanks for all your replies, it seems my gut feeling was correct. I couldn't just accept something as normal when it didn't look or feel normal to me.  I have an appt with the vet this morning with my spaniel ( yearly check up ) and I will discuss my Patt with him and try and get another appt tomorrow so he can see her.
Thanks for giving me the advice

I managed to get an appt this evening with her. The vet could feel movement in her knee, but more worrying he pointed out that her back legs were very straight instead of the typical 'dog leg' shape. He has put her on anti inflammatory tabs for a week and she goes back next Thursday.
Fingers crossed it improves without needing an op and without future problems

her back legs were very straight instead of the typical 'dog leg' shape

Lack or angulation is a conformation fault that will often go hand in hand with slipping patella however little angulation does seem to be the norm in many terriers no doubt the reason why so many do suffer from slipping kneecaps.

Just and update.
One week of anti inflamms. has made no difference at all, so this morning my vet made arrangements to have her in tomorrow to do X-rays and full examination under anaesthetic.
He told me that he only scrapes the channel of bone out to make a deeper recess in very bad cases, he usually prefers to tighten by way of a tuck in the ligament ( ?) that keeps popping out ( sorry layman's terms) So I guess it all depends on what he finds in the morning

My stomach is churning already for my baby !!!

Loads of luck for tomorrow