Abstract
Simple SummaryAppropriate energy supply adjusted to the requirements of military working dogs at pre-training is a basic prerequisite for working dogs, so they are fully able to exercise. Therefore, twenty Belgian Shepherds var. Malinois were accompanied for four weeks during pre-training as military working dogs, and the amount of energy intake was evaluated. Changes in body constitution were assessed by measuring body weight and shoulder height, as well as thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue, and of Musculus sacrocaudalis dorsalis lateralis (MSCDL). Energy intake amounted to, on average, 244 kcal/kg body weight (BW)0.75 daily. Changes to body constitution (increases in body weight, shoulder height, and thickness of the MSCDL, as well as a reduction of the thickness of the subcutaneous fat tissue lying on the MSCDL) might be attributed to training-induced muscle growth and physiological growth in size. In addition to training intensity, influences of ambient temperature and physiological body growth seemed to be important contributing factors in the supply of energy for military working dogs (MWDs) during pre-training.Many factors have specific effects, in varying degrees of intensity, on the metabolic energy requirements of working dogs. Appropriate energy supply adjusted to the requirements of military working dogs at pre-training is a basic prerequisite for working dogs, so they are fully able to exercise. Therefore, more knowledge obtained under standardized conditions would be advantageous. Twenty intact Belgian Shepherds var. Malinois at the age of 12 months were accompanied for four weeks during pre-training (odour detection, obedience training, and protection work) as military working dogs (MWDs) in Germany (ambient temperature about 7.8 °C), and the amount of energy intake was evaluated. To assess changes in body constitution, body weight and shoulder height were measured, and the thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue (SCF), and of Musculus sacrocaudalis dorsalis lateralis (MSCDL), were recorded via ultrasound. Energy intake amounted to, on average, 244 ± 34 kcal/kg body weight (BW)0.75 daily. Increases in body weight, shoulder height, and thickness of the MSCDL, as well as a reduction of SCF thickness lying on the MSCDL, were observed. Changes of body constitution might be attributed to training-induced muscle growth and physiological growth in size. In addition to training intensity, influences of ambient temperature and physiological body growth seemed to be important contributing factors in the supply of energy for MWDs during pre-training.
Highlights
A minimal amount of energy is needed to ensure homeostasis. This amount of energy is described as the basal metabolic rate and indicates the energy needed for metabolic processes in a lying position, Animals 2020, 10, 1753; doi:10.3390/ani10101753
maintenance energy requirement (MER) is defined as the energy required for thermoregulation, spontaneous activity, and moderate exercise, and can be influenced by factors, such as breed, age, husbandry, body weight, activity level, and thermoregulation [1]
The still growing dogs maintained their body weight, or even improved constitution, and were fully able to exercise. This is approximately 1.5 times higher than the stated energy requirements in international comparative literature for adult working dogs, odour detection, explosive detection, and human detection dogs, and approximately 2 to 2.5 times higher than that reported for pet dogs kept at home
Summary
A minimal amount of energy is needed to ensure homeostasis. This amount of energy is described as the basal metabolic rate and indicates the energy needed for metabolic processes in a lying position, Animals 2020, 10, 1753; doi:10.3390/ani10101753 www.mdpi.com/journal/animalsAnimals 2020, 10, 1753 awake state, after food digestion is complete, in a thermoneutral ambient temperature without further activity [1]. A minimal amount of energy is needed to ensure homeostasis. The so-called maintenance energy requirement (MER) goes beyond the basal metabolic rate. MER is defined as the energy required for thermoregulation, spontaneous activity, and moderate exercise, and can be influenced by factors, such as breed, age, husbandry, body weight, activity level, and thermoregulation [1]. Strenuous exercise and environmental temperature have an effect on energy requirements to varying extents [1]. For adult dogs at maintenance (laboratory kennel dogs or active dogs), the daily metabolizable energy requirements are generally estimated to be approximately 130 kcal/kg body weight (BW)0.75 [1]. When kept in a domestic environment, with little stimulus and opportunity to exercise, daily metabolizable energy requirements are lower, from 95 kcal/kg BW0.75 [1] up to
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