Energy consumption in active dogs

Janne Karin Brodin

Hunting dogs and sports dogs are long distance runners who expend large amounts of energy in hours of running each day, and often for several days in a row. A survey has been conducted at IHA to examine how much energy dogs expend under varying running conditions. The dogs used in the experiments are bird dogs, and the energy consumption is measured during practical winter hunting, running alongside a bike using a Springer, and on a treadmill.

The results will form the basis for calculating the optimal composition of feed energy concentration and energy distribution between the main nutrients. It is known that dogs are capable of utilising fat as an energy source efficiently while running, while e.g. humans need carbohydrates as their main energy source.

Hund i det fri Photo: Even Bergseng

The method used to measure energy consumption has been injecting small amounts of markers into the dogs before training begins. These markers, which are isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium 2H) and oxygen (18O) mix with the water in the body, and are secreted with it. The method makes it possible to measure the carbon dioxide production, which is an indirect measurement of energy consumed. The isotopes are eliminated from the body in accordance with energy consumption. Through plasma samples taken after the isotopes have been injected and when the exercise is over some days later, secretion can be measured and energy consumption calculated. The method also gives the opportunity to measure water metabolism in the dogs and calculate their need for water. Dogs need a lot of water while they are in physical training, and must be given sufficient amounts of it. More water is needed in high temperatures, but also during winter training, dogs can be observed eating snow while running.

While running free, the dogs were equipped with GPS boxes which measure relatively accurately the distance they have been running – on a horizontal plane. The boxes weigh only 80 g, and are put in small pockets on the dog’s blanket. Preliminary results show that bird dogs on winter hunting expeditions run from 6-12 km per hour, depending on the dog’s hunting interest, the topography of the terrain and snow conditions. The point of comparing energy consumption during free running and running under more controlled circumstances, as on a treadmill, is to get an idea of whether the GPS measurements turn out the same results per distance covered. While the dogs are running free, energy consumption may be higher than the distance would indicate, since the dog may have physical activity without it being registered as movement. Besides, outdoors temperatures and snow conditions may influence energy consumption in addition to the distance covered.

Preliminary results from winter hunting show that energy consumption per day of three hours’ running increased 2-3 times depending on the distance covered. The dog that ran the longest distance – about 30 km during the three hours – increased its energy consumption from 3300 kJ per day of normal activity to 8800 kJ per day. In order to cover the dog’s energy requirement without it losing body weight, the feed should probably have a high concentration of energy. Normal dog food (dry) contains about 12000 kJ per kg. The dog of our example weighed 14 kg. It must eat about 0.75 kg dry or about 2 kg wet of this kind of feed in order to cover its energy consumption. It will be difficult to get the dog to eat this much: 5% of its body weight of the dry feed or 14% of the wet feed. A more energy rich feed with a higher fat content (24000 kJ/kg) will more easily satisfy the energy requirement, since the dog will need to eat only half as much.

Data on water consumption and effects of exercise on digestibility will be targeted in the next phase of the project.

Updated: 26.04.11
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