1. b PACE-Agility, Hinckley, Leicestershire, U.K.
A comparison of conformational traits of elite and non-elite agility Border Collie dogs: a preliminary study
Lauren Birkbeck a, Jacqueline Boyd a*, Steve Croxford b, Cassie White a
a Nottingham Trent University, School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences, Nottinghamshire, U.K.
b PACE-Agility, Hinckley, Leicestershire, U.K.
* Dr Jacqueline Boyd. Tel
Introduction
Results & Discussion
Dog agility is rapidly becoming an increasingly popular leisure and competitive activity, both nationally and internationally.
Whilst a number of studies have examined general canine locomotion, behavioural and physiological responses to training and exercise, there remains a lack of scientific information about the conformational parameters of successful agility dogs.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether basic differences in conformational parameters in elite and non-elite agility Border Collie dogs exist.
Materials and Methods
Body segment lengths of six elite Border Collie agility dogs competing at the Agility World Championships qualifier (2007) were taken.
Anatomical landmarks were identified through palpation of bony landmarks, and the following segments were measured by the same qualified veterinary surgeon using a standard tape measure; A) height at the withers (proximal scapular to floor); B) overall body length (glenohumeral joint to the sacroiliac joint); C) height at the elbow (from the olecranon process to floor (figure 1.)
These measurements were then repeated in a group of non-elite Border Collie agility dogs (n=6) participating at Novice level events within the U.K.
Statistical significance was set at P = 0.05.
Figure 2. Body segment lengths of Elite and Non-Elite agility Border Collie dogs. * Denotes statistical significance
A significant difference was identified at height of elbow (t=-2.83, P=0.018) between the elite group (mean=26.3 ± 0.82cm) and the non-elite group (mean=31.7 ± 4.55cm)
No significant differences in height at the withers or overall body length (P>0.05) were found
Overall height at the withers was found to be the same between elite and non-elite dogs, however there are significant differences within the length of body segments
Elite dogs appear to have a shorter distal forelimb and longer proximal forelimb assembly than their non elite counterparts A
Conclusion B
Preliminary results from this study suggest that there are similarities to those already identified in equine research, including a relationship between the length of the humerus and subsequent range of movement
This is an area that requires further exploration as it may have biomechanical and physiological implications for successful canine sports performance C
Figure 1. Body segment lengths measured (see above for details)