The "happy jack skipping gait," sometimes called the "Jack Russell tick" or "happy skip," is a distinctive movement seen in Jack Russell Terriers and other terrier breeds. It’s characterized by a playful, intermittent skip or hop, often during walks or moments of excitement, where the dog briefly lifts a hind leg or bounces. While patellar luxation—a condition where the kneecap slips out of place—is a common cause of skipping gaits in small breeds, there’s anecdotal and some veterinary acknowledgment that terriers can exhibit a non-patellar-related skip that’s more behavioral or idiosyncratic, tied to their energetic and spirited nature.

So, what might be going on?
 

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