01 Paw Injury Sudden

The paw is the first place to check. Cuts, thorns, glass, cracked or burned pads, grass seeds between the toes, broken nails, or foreign bodies embedded in the skin can all cause sudden lameness. A dog with a paw injury often licks the affected foot as well as limping. Check between the toes and on the pads carefully before anything else — sometimes the problem is visible and simple to identify.

Grass seeds need same-day attention as they can migrate rapidly through tissue. Anything bleeding significantly, or where a foreign body is embedded but can't be removed cleanly, should be seen by a vet rather than handled at home.

02 Sprain or Soft Tissue Injury Sudden

Sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries are among the most common causes of acute limping — usually following a sudden movement, a jump, a slip, or a collision during play or exercise. The dog may be weight-bearing but reluctant, and the area may be slightly swollen or warm. Rest is usually the first recommendation, but persistent lameness lasting more than 24 to 48 hours warrants a vet check to rule out more significant injury.

03 Osteoarthritis (Joint Disease) Gradual

Arthritis is very common in older dogs and is one of the most frequent causes of progressive limping in middle-aged and senior animals. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the joints wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Classic signs include stiffness after rest that improves with gentle movement, reluctance to use stairs, difficulty getting up, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Arthritis is a condition to manage rather than cure, and there are effective veterinary approaches available — including pain management, controlled exercise, physiotherapy, and joint supplements. Early diagnosis makes management more effective.

04 Hip Dysplasia Gradual

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint doesn't form correctly, leading to instability, wear, and eventually arthritis. It's hereditary and most common in large and giant breeds — Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers are among the breeds most frequently affected, though it can occur in any breed. Signs typically develop in younger adult dogs and include a swaying gait, reluctance to exercise, difficulty rising, and hindlimb stiffness. Diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray.

05 Elbow Dysplasia Gradual

Elbow dysplasia covers a group of developmental conditions affecting the elbow joint, most commonly seen in large breeds. It causes forelimb lameness, often first noticed in young dogs between four and twelve months of age. Like hip dysplasia, it's hereditary and leads to progressive arthritis if not managed. Signs include a front-leg limp that worsens with exercise and stiffness after rest.

06 Cruciate Ligament Injury Sudden

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (the equivalent of the ACL in humans) is one of the most common orthopaedic injuries in dogs. It causes sudden, significant hindlimb lameness, often during exercise or play — though it can also occur as a gradual, progressive weakening of the ligament before complete rupture. The dog will often be very reluctant to put the leg down and may hold it raised.

07 Bone Fracture Sudden

A fracture almost always causes immediate, complete non-weight-bearing lameness. There is usually a clear history of trauma — a road traffic accident, a fall, a collision, or a significant injury. The limb may look deformed, swollen, or at an abnormal angle. Fractures are always a veterinary emergency.

08 Luxating Patella Either

A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its normal position. It's particularly common in small breeds — including Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Bichon Frisés, and Yorkshire Terriers — though larger breeds are also affected. The lameness is often intermittent: the dog will skip on three legs for a few strides, then continue normally once the kneecap has returned to position. Over time, it can cause progressive joint damage and arthritis. Depending on severity, treatment ranges from management and monitoring to surgical correction.

09 Spinal Disc Problem (IVDD) Sudden

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) occurs when a disc in the spine bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord. It can cause hindlimb weakness, stumbling, pain, and in severe cases, sudden paralysis of the back legs. Dachshunds, Corgis, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels are among the breeds most commonly affected, though any dog can develop it.

10 Panosteitis (Growing Pains) Either

Panosteitis is a condition affecting the long bones in young, large-breed dogs, typically between five and twelve months of age. It causes intermittent lameness that moves between legs over weeks or months — sometimes called "wandering lameness" because it shifts unpredictably from limb to limb. German Shepherds are particularly prone to it. The condition is usually self-limiting and resolves as the dog matures, but pain management is often needed in the meantime. Veterinary diagnosis is important to rule out other causes.

11 Lyme Disease Gradual

Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It's present in the UK, with higher risk in areas with large deer and wildlife populations — particularly parts of Scotland, the New Forest, the Thetford Forest area, and Exmoor. Joint pain and shifting lameness are recognised signs, alongside lethargy and fever. Not all dogs exposed to infected ticks develop disease, and not all limping dogs in tick areas have Lyme disease. Blood testing is needed for diagnosis. Tick prevention reduces risk.