Symptom guide
Dog Limping
Favoring a leg, reluctance to jump, or stiffness — could be joint, injury, or paw issue.
Triage
Depends on severity
Mild stiffness or intermittent limping after activity is often manageable with joint support and rest. Sudden severe limping, inability to bear weight, or obvious swelling needs an in-person vet.
Common causes
- •soft-tissue injury (strain, sprain)
- •hip or elbow dysplasia
- •cruciate ligament tear
- •arthritis (especially in older dogs)
- •paw injury or foreign body
- •nail injury
When to call the vet now
Any of these signs means telehealth isn't enough — get in-person vet care today.
- ⚠cannot bear any weight on the leg
- ⚠obvious swelling or deformity
- ⚠limping lasts more than 48 hours with rest
- ⚠yelping or crying when leg is touched
- ⚠fever or lethargy with limping
Breeds most prone to limping
Not exhaustive — any dog can have this. These breeds are just more commonly affected.
Labrador Retriever
large · AKC #2
Golden Retriever
large · AKC #3
German Shepherd
large · AKC #4
Rottweiler
large · AKC #8
Bernese Mountain Dog
large · AKC #22
Great Pyrenees
giant · AKC #65
Cane Corso
giant · AKC #21
Rhodesian Ridgeback
large · AKC #43
Doberman Pinscher
large · AKC #19
Dachshund
small · AKC #9
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
small · AKC #13
What can help
Products and services matched to this symptom.
Dutch
24/7 vet care and prescriptions delivered
- •Unlimited vet chats
- •Rx delivered to door
- •$11/month
- •Covers anxiety, allergies, derm
Vetster
Book online vet appointments with licensed professionals
- •Licensed vets online
- •24/7 appointment access
- •Video, chat, and voice
- •Prescription support where permitted
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Related symptoms
Barkly is not a veterinary service and does not diagnose or prescribe. This is educational content to help you understand your dog's symptoms. For diagnosis and treatment, talk to a licensed vet.