Search

Simple Summary Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. There is a growing concern within the dog sports community that some disciplines and breeds may be at higher injury risk. This study aimed to describe the frequencies and types of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Through a questionnaire survey, information about 1582 dogs was collected. During their lifetime, more than half of the dogs (n = 928, 58.7%) had suffered from an injury whether it appeared during training, competition, or outside of sport. Key findings were that muscular, joint, and dermatologic injuries were most commonly reported and the most common injury locations were the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine, paw, head, shoulder, and stifle. In a multivariate analysis, Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, and higher age at the time of report increased the odds of injury history. Our results provide more understanding of injuries in sporting and utility dogs and contribute to injury prevention strategies that potentially enhance canine welfare.Abstract Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. This study aimed to describe the types and frequencies of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs (n = 1582) through a cross-sectional survey. The overall proportion of dogs sustaining any injury during their lifetime, whether it was during competition, training, or outside of sport, was 5

Simple Summary Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. There is a growing concern within the dog sports community that some disciplines and breeds may be at higher injury risk. This study aimed to describe the frequencies and types of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Through a questionnaire survey, information about 1582 dogs was collected. During their lifetime, more than half of the dogs (n = 928, 58.7%) had suffered from an injury whether it appeared during training, competition, or outside of sport. Key findings were that muscular, joint, and dermatologic injuries were most commonly reported and the most common injury locations were the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine, paw, head, shoulder, and stifle. In a multivariate analysis, Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, and higher age at the time of report increased the odds of injury history. Our results provide more understanding of injuries in sporting and utility dogs and contribute to injury prevention strategies that potentially enhance canine welfare.Abstract Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. This study aimed to describe the types and frequencies of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs (n = 1582) through a cross-sectional survey. The overall proportion of dogs sustaining any injury during their lifetime, whether it was during competition, training, or outside of sport, was 5

Simple Summary Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. There is a growing concern within the dog sports community that some disciplines and breeds may be at higher injury risk. This study aimed to describe the frequencies and types of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Through a questionnaire survey, information about 1582 dogs was collected. During their lifetime, more than half of the dogs (n = 928, 58.7%) had suffered from an injury whether it appeared during training, competition, or outside of sport. Key findings were that muscular, joint, and dermatologic injuries were most commonly reported and the most common injury locations were the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine, paw, head, shoulder, and stifle. In a multivariate analysis, Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, and higher age at the time of report increased the odds of injury history. Our results provide more understanding of injuries in sporting and utility dogs and contribute to injury prevention strategies that potentially enhance canine welfare.Abstract Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. This study aimed to describe the types and frequencies of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs (n = 1582) through a cross-sectional survey. The overall proportion of dogs sustaining any injury during their lifetime, whether it was during competition, training, or outside of sport, was 5

Simple Summary Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. There is a growing concern within the dog sports community that some disciplines and breeds may be at higher injury risk. This study aimed to describe the frequencies and types of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Through a questionnaire survey, information about 1582 dogs was collected. During their lifetime, more than half of the dogs (n = 928, 58.7%) had suffered from an injury whether it appeared during training, competition, or outside of sport. Key findings were that muscular, joint, and dermatologic injuries were most commonly reported and the most common injury locations were the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine, paw, head, shoulder, and stifle. In a multivariate analysis, Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, and higher age at the time of report increased the odds of injury history. Our results provide more understanding of injuries in sporting and utility dogs and contribute to injury prevention strategies that potentially enhance canine welfare.Abstract Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. This study aimed to describe the types and frequencies of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs (n = 1582) through a cross-sectional survey. The overall proportion of dogs sustaining any injury during their lifetime, whether it was during competition, training, or outside of sport, was 5

Simple Summary Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. There is a growing concern within the dog sports community that some disciplines and breeds may be at higher injury risk. This study aimed to describe the frequencies and types of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Through a questionnaire survey, information about 1582 dogs was collected. During their lifetime, more than half of the dogs (n = 928, 58.7%) had suffered from an injury whether it appeared during training, competition, or outside of sport. Key findings were that muscular, joint, and dermatologic injuries were most commonly reported and the most common injury locations were the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine, paw, head, shoulder, and stifle. In a multivariate analysis, Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, and higher age at the time of report increased the odds of injury history. Our results provide more understanding of injuries in sporting and utility dogs and contribute to injury prevention strategies that potentially enhance canine welfare.Abstract Canine sporting competitions, e.g., agility, obedience, rally obedience, and utility trials, e.g., protection, tracking, search, and messenger, are physically and mentally demanding disciplines. This study aimed to describe the types and frequencies of injuries experienced amongst Swedish sporting and utility trial dogs and to explore associations between discipline, breed, sex, neuter status, age, and injury history. Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs (n = 1582) through a cross-sectional survey. The overall proportion of dogs sustaining any injury during their lifetime, whether it was during competition, training, or outside of sport, was 5

Objective: To explore physical activity patterns, including conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, and management routines utilized by handlers of Swedish sporting and working dogs participating in agility, obedience, rally obedience and working trial disciplines. Procedures: Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs through an internet-based cross-sectional and descriptive survey on physical activity, sport-specific training and management. Results are reported overall and stratified by participation in specific disciplines. Results: We received 1615 replies to the questionnaire. After data cleaning, 1582 dogs (98%) remained for the analysis. Of these, 430 participated in agility, 790 in obedience, 596 in rally obedience, and 847 dogs had competed in a working trial, i.e., messenger, protection, search or tracking. Number of disciplines performed by each dog varied between one and five. Most common was participation in one (n = 767, 48%) or two (n = 541, 34%) disciplines. Out of the dogs competing in one discipline, 38% (n = 294) were considered to be specialized as they actively trained only that discipline for >= 10 months per year. The vast majority of the dogs (n = 1129, 71%) received more than 1 h of daily physical activity, e.g., walks, and only n = 51 (3%) were never exercised off-leash. Preferred self-selected gait was trot (n = 907, 57%) and gallop (n = 499, 32%). A fifth (n = 319, 20%) never played with other dogs. The majority (n = 1328, 84%) received more than 1 h of vigorous physical conditioning exercise per week. Almost three quarters (n = 1119, 71%) participated in physical conditioning exercise. Two thirds (n = 953, 60%) participated in at least 3 h of sport-specific training per week and only a very small portion (n = 35, 2%) trained their specific discipline less than once per week. Median total work load, i.e., all daily physical activity, vigorous physical conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, was 1

Objective: To explore physical activity patterns, including conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, and management routines utilized by handlers of Swedish sporting and working dogs participating in agility, obedience, rally obedience and working trial disciplines. Procedures: Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs through an internet-based cross-sectional and descriptive survey on physical activity, sport-specific training and management. Results are reported overall and stratified by participation in specific disciplines. Results: We received 1615 replies to the questionnaire. After data cleaning, 1582 dogs (98%) remained for the analysis. Of these, 430 participated in agility, 790 in obedience, 596 in rally obedience, and 847 dogs had competed in a working trial, i.e., messenger, protection, search or tracking. Number of disciplines performed by each dog varied between one and five. Most common was participation in one (n = 767, 48%) or two (n = 541, 34%) disciplines. Out of the dogs competing in one discipline, 38% (n = 294) were considered to be specialized as they actively trained only that discipline for >= 10 months per year. The vast majority of the dogs (n = 1129, 71%) received more than 1 h of daily physical activity, e.g., walks, and only n = 51 (3%) were never exercised off-leash. Preferred self-selected gait was trot (n = 907, 57%) and gallop (n = 499, 32%). A fifth (n = 319, 20%) never played with other dogs. The majority (n = 1328, 84%) received more than 1 h of vigorous physical conditioning exercise per week. Almost three quarters (n = 1119, 71%) participated in physical conditioning exercise. Two thirds (n = 953, 60%) participated in at least 3 h of sport-specific training per week and only a very small portion (n = 35, 2%) trained their specific discipline less than once per week. Median total work load, i.e., all daily physical activity, vigorous physical conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, was 1

Objective: To explore physical activity patterns, including conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, and management routines utilized by handlers of Swedish sporting and working dogs participating in agility, obedience, rally obedience and working trial disciplines. Procedures: Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs through an internet-based cross-sectional and descriptive survey on physical activity, sport-specific training and management. Results are reported overall and stratified by participation in specific disciplines. Results: We received 1615 replies to the questionnaire. After data cleaning, 1582 dogs (98%) remained for the analysis. Of these, 430 participated in agility, 790 in obedience, 596 in rally obedience, and 847 dogs had competed in a working trial, i.e., messenger, protection, search or tracking. Number of disciplines performed by each dog varied between one and five. Most common was participation in one (n = 767, 48%) or two (n = 541, 34%) disciplines. Out of the dogs competing in one discipline, 38% (n = 294) were considered to be specialized as they actively trained only that discipline for >= 10 months per year. The vast majority of the dogs (n = 1129, 71%) received more than 1 h of daily physical activity, e.g., walks, and only n = 51 (3%) were never exercised off-leash. Preferred self-selected gait was trot (n = 907, 57%) and gallop (n = 499, 32%). A fifth (n = 319, 20%) never played with other dogs. The majority (n = 1328, 84%) received more than 1 h of vigorous physical conditioning exercise per week. Almost three quarters (n = 1119, 71%) participated in physical conditioning exercise. Two thirds (n = 953, 60%) participated in at least 3 h of sport-specific training per week and only a very small portion (n = 35, 2%) trained their specific discipline less than once per week. Median total work load, i.e., all daily physical activity, vigorous physical conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, was 1

Objective: To explore physical activity patterns, including conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, and management routines utilized by handlers of Swedish sporting and working dogs participating in agility, obedience, rally obedience and working trial disciplines. Procedures: Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs through an internet-based cross-sectional and descriptive survey on physical activity, sport-specific training and management. Results are reported overall and stratified by participation in specific disciplines. Results: We received 1615 replies to the questionnaire. After data cleaning, 1582 dogs (98%) remained for the analysis. Of these, 430 participated in agility, 790 in obedience, 596 in rally obedience, and 847 dogs had competed in a working trial, i.e., messenger, protection, search or tracking. Number of disciplines performed by each dog varied between one and five. Most common was participation in one (n = 767, 48%) or two (n = 541, 34%) disciplines. Out of the dogs competing in one discipline, 38% (n = 294) were considered to be specialized as they actively trained only that discipline for >= 10 months per year. The vast majority of the dogs (n = 1129, 71%) received more than 1 h of daily physical activity, e.g., walks, and only n = 51 (3%) were never exercised off-leash. Preferred self-selected gait was trot (n = 907, 57%) and gallop (n = 499, 32%). A fifth (n = 319, 20%) never played with other dogs. The majority (n = 1328, 84%) received more than 1 h of vigorous physical conditioning exercise per week. Almost three quarters (n = 1119, 71%) participated in physical conditioning exercise. Two thirds (n = 953, 60%) participated in at least 3 h of sport-specific training per week and only a very small portion (n = 35, 2%) trained their specific discipline less than once per week. Median total work load, i.e., all daily physical activity, vigorous physical conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, was 1

The synthesis, degradation, and reconstruction of the cell membrane as a metabolic pathway of phospholipids is a constant and dynamic process. Fatty acids as bioactive lipid components of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids as structural lipids have biological roles in the integrity of cell membranes. Fatty acids, depending on the chain length, the degree of saturation, and the synthesis pathways, can alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress caused by excessive exercise. Considering that changing food intake or diet can influence fatty acid phospholipid metabolism, our study aimed to determine the potential benefits of fish-based diets in working (police) dogs undergoing intensive training concerning bioactive lipids such as fatty acids, phospholipids of plasma, and erythrocytes. Fatty acid esters’ composition of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids as a bioactive lipids, in addition to markers of oxidative stress and metabolic parameters, were analysed by GC chromatography. The food was well tolerated by all dogs, and the compliance to the diet was high throughout the study. After the treatment with fish-based food, blood glucose, total, and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly reduced, indicating positive biochemical profiles of dogs. Correlations of fatty acid phospholipid compositions between plasma and erythrocytes have shown that both plasma and erythrocytes could represent markers of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid intake levels in dogs. Morover, fish-based food supplementation caused a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation markers. The enrichment of dogs’ diets with marine fish could improve oxidative status and improve roles and status of bioactive lipids, such as membrane phospholipids and fatty acids, as its components in plasma and erythrocytes in police dogs exposed to intensive exercise.

Objective: To explore physical activity patterns, including conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, and management routines utilized by handlers of Swedish sporting and working dogs participating in agility, obedience, rally obedience and working trial disciplines. Procedures: Dog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs through an internet-based cross-sectional and descriptive survey on physical activity, sport-specific training and management. Results are reported overall and stratified by participation in specific disciplines. Results: We received 1615 replies to the questionnaire. After data cleaning, 1582 dogs (98%) remained for the analysis. Of these, 430 participated in agility, 790 in obedience, 596 in rally obedience, and 847 dogs had competed in a working trial, i.e., messenger, protection, search or tracking. Number of disciplines performed by each dog varied between one and five. Most common was participation in one (n = 767, 48%) or two (n = 541, 34%) disciplines. Out of the dogs competing in one discipline, 38% (n = 294) were considered to be specialized as they actively trained only that discipline for >= 10 months per year. The vast majority of the dogs (n = 1129, 71%) received more than 1 h of daily physical activity, e.g., walks, and only n = 51 (3%) were never exercised off-leash. Preferred self-selected gait was trot (n = 907, 57%) and gallop (n = 499, 32%). A fifth (n = 319, 20%) never played with other dogs. The majority (n = 1328, 84%) received more than 1 h of vigorous physical conditioning exercise per week. Almost three quarters (n = 1119, 71%) participated in physical conditioning exercise. Two thirds (n = 953, 60%) participated in at least 3 h of sport-specific training per week and only a very small portion (n = 35, 2%) trained their specific discipline less than once per week. Median total work load, i.e., all daily physical activity, vigorous physical conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, was 1

The synthesis, degradation, and reconstruction of the cell membrane as a metabolic pathway of phospholipids is a constant and dynamic process. Fatty acids as bioactive lipid components of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids as structural lipids have biological roles in the integrity of cell membranes. Fatty acids, depending on the chain length, the degree of saturation, and the synthesis pathways, can alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress caused by excessive exercise. Considering that changing food intake or diet can influence fatty acid phospholipid metabolism, our study aimed to determine the potential benefits of fish-based diets in working (police) dogs undergoing intensive training concerning bioactive lipids such as fatty acids, phospholipids of plasma, and erythrocytes. Fatty acid esters’ composition of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids as a bioactive lipids, in addition to markers of oxidative stress and metabolic parameters, were analysed by GC chromatography. The food was well tolerated by all dogs, and the compliance to the diet was high throughout the study. After the treatment with fish-based food, blood glucose, total, and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly reduced, indicating positive biochemical profiles of dogs. Correlations of fatty acid phospholipid compositions between plasma and erythrocytes have shown that both plasma and erythrocytes could represent markers of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid intake levels in dogs. Morover, fish-based food supplementation caused a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation markers. The enrichment of dogs’ diets with marine fish could improve oxidative status and improve roles and status of bioactive lipids, such as membrane phospholipids and fatty acids, as its components in plasma and erythrocytes in police dogs exposed to intensive exercise.

Over the last century, dogs have been increasingly used to detect rare and elusive species or traces of them. The use of wildlife detection dogs (WDD) is particularly well‐established in North America, Europe and Oceania, and projects deploying them have increased world‐wide. However, if they are to make a significant contribution to conservation and management, their strengths, abilities and limitations should be fully identified.We reviewed the use of WDD with particular focus on the breeds used in different countries and for various targets, as well as their overall performance compared to other methods, by developing and analysing a database of 1,220 publications, including 916 scientific ones, covering 2,464 individual cases—most of them (1,840) scientific.With the world‐wide increase in the use of WDD, associated tasks have changed and become much more diverse. Since 1930, reports exist for 62 countries and 408 animal, 42 plant, 26 fungi and six bacteria species. Altogether, 108 FCI‐classified and 20 non‐FCI‐classified breeds have worked as WDD. While certain breeds have been preferred on different continents and for specific tasks and targets, they were not generally better suited for detection tasks than others. Overall, WDD usually worked more effectively than other monitoring methods. For each species group, regardless of breed, detection dogs were better than other methods in 88.71% of all cases and only worse in 0.98%. It was only for arthropods that Pinshers and Schnauzers performed worse than other breeds. For mono‐ and dicotyledons, detection dogs did less often outperform other methods.Although every breed can be trained as a WDD, choosing the most suitable dog for the task and target may speed up training and increase the chance of success. Albeit selection of the most appropriate WDD is important, excellent training, knowledge about the target density and suitability, and a proper study design all appeared to have the highest impact on performance.

School violence is a consistent problem that cannot be underestimated by government and school officials. Though pervasive and ever-changing, current school safety initiatives are not always effective. This thesis explores how schools can take advantage of a dog’s therapeutic and security instincts to improve existing school safety initiatives. To assess fittingness, the thesis first explores research that indicates there is an evolutionary bond between humankind and dogs, which—when paired with dogs’ general and emotional intelligence—makes them a perfect candidate for the school safety platform. The thesis then presents data to suggest that therapy and police dogs are equally suitable to improve school safety initiatives. Finally, the thesis details a theoretical observational study that demonstrates the practicality and benefits of pairing a therapy dog with a school resource officer. The findings reveal that dogs could be an added layer to improve current school safety initiatives. A dog’s security instincts can bolster school resource officers’ crime-prevention capabilities and also enhance or replace other physical security measures, like metal detectors. Furthermore, a dog’s therapeutic abilities can provide stress relief and can strengthen a school resource officer’s informal counseling skills, which may help the officer develop much-needed rapport with troubled students., http://archive.org/details/bringinthedogsus1094563443, Civilian, Department of Homeland Security, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Since its national debut in 1987, Fresh Air with Terry Gross has been a highly acclaimed and much adored weekday magazine among public radio listeners. Each week, nearly 4.8 million people turn to Peabody Award-winning host Terry Gross for insightful conversations with the leading voices in contemporary arts and issues. The renowned program reaches a global audience, with over 620 public radio stations broadcasting Fresh Air, and 3 million podcast downloads each week. Fresh Air has broken the mold of 'talk show' by weaving together superior journalism and intimate storytelling from modern-day intellectuals, politicians and artists alike. Through probing questions and careful research, Gross's interviews are lauded for revealing a fresh perspective on cultural icons and trends. Her thorough conversations are often complemented by commentary from well-known contributors. Fresh Air is produced at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and broadcast nationally by NPR., (1.) ALEXANDRA HOROWITZ is author of the new book BEING A DOG: FOLLOWING THE DOG INTO THE WORLD OF SMELL. She also wrote the bestseller INSIDE OF A DOG: WHAT DOGS SEE, SMELL AND KNOW. HOROWITZ writes about how dogs perceive the world mostly through their noses and how humans too can do more with their sense of smell, if they try. She founded the dog cognition lab at Barnard College. (CONTINUES INTO SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW)(2.) Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the debut album "No Burden" by singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus

This thesis explored the causes of retirement or loss from service of German shepherd Police dogs working in New Zealand. Abnormal development of the hip joint with subsequent development of osteoarthritis (hip dysplasia), and degeneration of the lumbosacral junction, were identified as the leading causes of early retirement of Police dogs due to an inability to meet the physical requirements of Police work. Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial disease with moderate heritability and improvements in the phenotypic selection of dogs for breeding should improve subsequent longevity in future generations of Police dogs. Selection of dogs for breeding based on traditional phenotypic scoring, using radiographs of the hips in extension, was shown to be producing minimal improvement in hip status. When compared with distraction radiography, correlation between the two methods was low and they were not equivalent in terms of ranking dogs for susceptibility to hip dysplasia. In the second part of the thesis, degeneration of the lumbosacral joint was reviewed and the role of surgical management of this condition was examined. A new method of computed tomographic volumetric analysis of the L7-S1 lateral intervertebral neurovascular foramen was described, which can be performed on anaesthetised dogs. This method was then tested on German shepherds, both normal and affected by lumbosacral degeneration. The dogs were imaged in extended, neutral and flexed positions of the lumbosacral junction. Extension results in marked narrowing of the L7- S1 foramina. Dogs affected by degenerative disease of the lumbosacral junction had smaller foraminal volumes than unaffected dogs, indicating that dynamic narrowing likely contributes to clinical signs. An ex-vivo experiment demonstrated that surgical resection of the dorsal annulus and partial L7-S1 discectomy (as commonly performed during dorsal decompressive surgery) may lead to further narrowing of the lateral intervertebral lumbosacral neuro

In 2005 Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) started a breeding program of military working dogs. The dogs leave SAF’s kennel at an age of 8 weeks and live with puppy raisers. To evaluate the suitability of dogs for military work the dogs conduct a behavioural test at an age of 15-18 months. An “Index value” is extracted from this behavioural test. The puppy raisers answered a modified version of Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) when the dogs were approximately 12 months old. Answered questionnaires and results from the behavioural test were obtained for 59 dogs. Dogs that had passed the behavioural test had tendency for higher scores for “Trainability” (p = 0.078) and “If lived with other animals” (p = 0.066). Failing dogs had significantly higher score for “Stranger Directed Fear” (p = 0.006), ”Non-Social Fear” (p = 0.005), “Dog Directed Fear” (p = 0.021), “Hours of daily activation” (p = 0.001), “Mounting objects” (p = 0.012), and a tendency for higher risk of “Urinating when home alone” (p = 0.058). In a regressions between the “Index value” and the values of the questions from C-BARQ, the “Index value” was negatively correlated to “Stranger Directed Fear” (p = 0.002), “Non-social Fear” (p = 0.003), and “Dog Directed Fear” (p = 0.006). The “Index value” was positively correlated to “Trainability” (p = 0.013), “Hours left home alone” (p=0.043), “Hyperactive” (p = 0.018), “Chases shadows/light spots” (p = 0.043), and a positive tendency for “Chewing on inappropriate objects” (p = 0.075). From a PCA at the categories in C-BARQ, 3 components were extracted. All three components had a correlation to the “Index value”. The results show that the use of C-BARQ can indicate whether the dog will pass the behavioural test or not.

Since its national debut in 1987, Fresh Air with Terry Gross has been a highly acclaimed and much adored weekday magazine among public radio listeners. Each week, nearly 4.8 million people turn to Peabody Award-winning host Terry Gross for insightful conversations with the leading voices in contemporary arts and issues. The renowned program reaches a global audience, with over 620 public radio stations broadcasting Fresh Air, and 3 million podcast downloads each week. Fresh Air has broken the mold of 'talk show' by weaving together superior journalism and intimate storytelling from modern-day intellectuals, politicians and artists alike. Through probing questions and careful research, Gross's interviews are lauded for revealing a fresh perspective on cultural icons and trends. Her thorough conversations are often complemented by commentary from well-known contributors. Fresh Air is produced at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and broadcast nationally by NPR., (1.) Animal stage trainer BILL BERLONI ('ber-LOW-nee'). His memoir is Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars (co-written with Jim Hanrahan). Berloni has been training animals for show business for over 30 years. He started in acting and happened to get into animal training when asked to find a dog for the show Annie. (DAVID BIANCULLI interview. REBROADCAST. Original airdate: 7/16/08) (2.) SUSAN ORLEAN, author of the book Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend (now in paperback). It's a biography of the famous canine star of television and screen. ORLEAN tells the story of a pup found in the wreckage of a dog kennel during WWI by a man named Lee Duncan, who would bring Rin Tin Tin back to his home in California and convince Warner Brothers Studios to put the dog in silent films. Rin Tin Tin would go on to star in 23 silent films (saving the studio from bankruptcy in the process) and descendents of the dog would continue his legacy in talkies, radio programs and the popular television show 'The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin.' ORLEAN has been a staff writer on the New Yorker since 1992 and is also author of Saturday Night and The Orchid Thief, which was made into the film Adaptation. (INTERVIEW BY DAVE DAVIES; REBROADCAST from 1.9.12)

In 2005 Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) started a breeding program of military working dogs. The dogs leave SAF’s kennel at an age of 8 weeks and live with puppy raisers. To evaluate the suitability of dogs for military work the dogs conduct a behavioural test at an age of 15-18 months. An “Index value” is extracted from this behavioural test. The puppy raisers answered a modified version of Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) when the dogs were approximately 12 months old. Answered questionnaires and results from the behavioural test were obtained for 59 dogs. Dogs that had passed the behavioural test had tendency for higher scores for “Trainability” (p = 0.078) and “If lived with other animals” (p = 0.066). Failing dogs had significantly higher score for “Stranger Directed Fear” (p = 0.006), ”Non-Social Fear” (p = 0.005), “Dog Directed Fear” (p = 0.021), “Hours of daily activation” (p = 0.001), “Mounting objects” (p = 0.012), and a tendency for higher risk of “Urinating when home alone” (p = 0.058). In a regressions between the “Index value” and the values of the questions from C-BARQ, the “Index value” was negatively correlated to “Stranger Directed Fear” (p = 0.002), “Non-social Fear” (p = 0.003), and “Dog Directed Fear” (p = 0.006). The “Index value” was positively correlated to “Trainability” (p = 0.013), “Hours left home alone” (p=0.043), “Hyperactive” (p = 0.018), “Chases shadows/light spots” (p = 0.043), and a positive tendency for “Chewing on inappropriate objects” (p = 0.075). From a PCA at the categories in C-BARQ, 3 components were extracted. All three components had a correlation to the “Index value”. The results show that the use of C-BARQ can indicate whether the dog will pass the behavioural test or not.

The expeditions to reach the South Pole mounted by Scott, Amundsen, and others between 1901 and 1912 have attracted considerable scholarly effort. These expeditions all took draught animals, which were key to the success or failure of the missions. Much of the literature in this field is highly partisan, focusing on the relative merits of Scott and Amundsen: the fates of their animals have received little attention except as ammunition for one side or another of this very polarized discourse. This paper describes the treatment of the dogs and ponies taken as draught animals on the expeditions led by Scott and Amundsen. These expeditions were planned such that animals would be used to pull sledges and slaughtered when required for food, or when the food for the animals ran out. Each of these expeditions is shown to have engaged in cruel practices and to have caused some animals extreme suffering. Scott's and Amundsen's management of their animals are compared. Amundsen kept close oversight of the care of the animals whereas Scott tended to delegate, with the results that on occasions Scott's animals did not receive timely attention and suffered as a result. Scott had reservations about using dogs because he viewed them mainly as intelligent companion animals. He had difficulties viewing dogs as working animals that might suffer, or as potential food, but no apparent reservations about using ponies in such ways. Amundsen's attitudes towards the dogs on his expedition and the animals' welfare outcomes are closely examined in this paper in the light of previous contentions that Amundsen was a serial animal abuser. While Amundsen also saw dogs as companions, he viewed them as draught animals and/or food sources as he felt his circumstances warranted. It is shown that outrage at the fates of Amundsen's dogs rests within past hagiographic endeavors in addition to modern western beliefs that dogs are pets, not draught animals; and from Western attitudes towards the consumpt

A cross-sectional study of 202 working sheep dogs and 56 owners was undertaken in 2010 to investigate the dogs‟ age, gender, breed, body condition scores, aspects of their husbandry, prevalence of and risk factors for nematode and protozoan parasitism, and prevalence of and risk factors for chorioretinopathy in working sheep dogs. Owners were convenience sampled from the South-West Waikato and the Tux North Island Dog Trial Championship 2010. Two-way tables were used to explore the relationship between variables. Significance of association was assessed using a Chi-squared or Fisher exact test as appropriate with a p-value of < 0.05 considered significant. Faecal analysis found 68/170 dogs (40%) had a nematode and/or protozoan parasite infection. Nineteen per cent (33/170) were infected with parasites from the Nematode phylum: Toxocara canis (9/170, 5%), hookworms (Uncinaria stenocephala or Ancylostoma caninum) (20/170, 12%) or Trichuris vulpis (8/170, 5%). Prevalence of protozoan infections was: Sarcocystis spp. 35/170 (21%), Isospora canis or Isospora ohioensis 9/170 (5%), Neospora caninum and Hammondia heydorni 4/170 (2%) and Giardia spp. 13/170 (8%). Younger animals had a significantly higher prevalence of Toxocara canis (P< 0.0001) and Giardia spp. (P< 0.0001). Prevalence of chorioretinopathy in the working sheep dogs was 44/184 dogs (24%). Older animals and males had a significantly higher prevalence of chorioretinopathy than younger animals (P= 0.0007) and females (P< 0.0001) respectively. Body condition scores for 197 animals found that: 29 had a BCS less than or equal to 2/9, 78 had a BCS of 3/9, 77 had a BCS of 4/9 and 13 had a BCS equal to or greater than 5/9. The BCS varied significantly between breeds (P= 0.002) with Huntaways comprising 23/29 of the dogs who were BCS two or less. The mean age of the working sheep dogs was 4.8 years, 85/200 (43%) were Huntaways, 84/200 (42%) were Heading dogs and 173/191 (91%) of the working sheep dogs were entire. Seve

Worldwide, dogs are used for a vast range of activities, however, in New Zealand the most valuable and common are those that play a key role in the daily management of farms. These dogs are invaluable for farmers and therefore providing them with optimum care and nutrition is of paramount importance. However, despite their importance, there is very little information regarding the nutrition of these „intermediate‟ working dogs and others such as hunt and agility dogs, although a significant amount of research exists focussing on sled dogs and greyhounds; the marathon runners and sprinters of the canine world. Today many farmers in New Zealand feed home kill meat to their dogs, often supplemented with commercial dry biscuits. The major issues associated with these diets are that home kill can be deficient in many micronutrients; while commercial dog biscuits contain high carbohydrate levels and large quantities of both of these feeds need to be consumed for the dog to meet its nutrient requirements. The ideal diet for working dogs should be highly digestible, palatable and energy dense as their stomach capacity is limited and they are often too tired to eat a large amount after exercise. Ultimately the goals of nutrition for working dogs should be to maintain health and immune function, minimise injury and optimise performance by providing a sustained energy source during their long periods of exercise. The aims of this thesis were to evaluate the effects of dietary macronutrients on animal metabolism during exercise and at rest in cats and dogs. This was achieved by determining apparent digestibility, post-prandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses, large intestinal carbohydrate fermentation, weight maintenance, exercise performance, immunity and fuel utilisation during exercise in working dogs (with exercise or at rest) and/or cats (at rest). Diets with macronutrient profiles giving better glycaemic control and increased satiety may be beneficial for the cat esp

The Journal of Special Operations Medicine (JSOM) is an authorized official military quarterly publication of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Our mission is to promote the professional development of Special Operations medical personnel by providing a forum for the examination of the latest advancements in medicine and the history of unconventional warfare medicine.

This project on human-dog interaction was developed after bite incidents occurred involving Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Preliminary assessments (accident reports, questionnaire to the handlers, training programmes) led to the hypothesis that those incidents could find their origin in efficiency, human security and dogs' welfare problems. As a result, a new Human Familiarisation and Training Programme (HFTP) was set up to improve the training methods used by the handlers, increasing handlers' motivation and improving the relationship between the handler and the dog. A standardised evaluation procedure carried out amongst a Control Group (CG) showed: (1) efficiency problems through the assessment of obedience and protection work exercises (n=33): only 20% of the dogs released their bite after the first command, only 19% of the dogs carried out the Stand-Off correctly; (2) security problems through the assessment of a validated aggression test (n=31): in 69.35% of the cases, dogs reacted with fear-related aggression during the aggression test; (3) no major welfare problems through the behavioural and physiological measurements that were implemented in this project (n=27) as the CG dogs were still able to adapt to environmental challenges (return to baseline of the cortisol levels, a higher posture during the second than during the first challenge). It could not be proven that the welfare of these dogs was hampered, but dog's low posture during obedience exercises indicated is was under threat. A new HFTP, based on positive and more frequent dog handler (DH) interactions and training, was subsequently set up in order to tackle the existing deficiencies. An EG was submitted to the HFTP and then underwent the same assessment as the CG. Results revealed: (1) efficiency increase through a better performance of EG teams during obedience (increase of 34.04%) and protection work exercises (increase of 69.98%) (CG: n=33, EG: n=33) (2) security enhancement as demonstrated by a, (DOCMED01)--FUNDP, 2009

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007

Photograph of Maryland Department of Correction Services K-9 Unit Name the Puppy event on February 3, 2007