dogtrot

[ dawg-trot, dog- ]

/ ˈdɔgˌtrɒt, ˈdɒg- /

a gentle trot, like that of a dog.

South Midland and Southern U.S. a covered passage or porch linking two parts of a house; breezeway.

to go or move at a gentle trot or a dogtrot.

Origin of dogtrot

First recorded in 1655–65; dog + trot¹

To conserve his strength and wind he kept his pace to a dogtrot.

The Golden Skull |John Blaine
John continued on a dogtrot towards home, and a moment later was pestering Mrs. Fletcher at her work in the kitchen.

A Son of the City |Herman Gastrell Seely
(Fannie was evidently referring to the breezeway or dogtrot, down the middle of many small plantation houses).

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves |Work Projects Administration
On the first alarm, the chief of police, accompanied by a good half of the day force, came at a dogtrot.

Old Judge Priest |Irvin S. Cobb

Brown saluted the second time, and started off at a dogtrot.

A Volunteer with Pike |Robert Ames Bennet

dogtrot

/ (ˈdɒɡˌtrɒt) /

a gently paced trot