Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-xtgtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T10:55:58.354Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Physiological responses of the Australian cattle dog to mustering exercise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2007

B A Hampson  and
C M McGowan
B A Hampson
Affiliation:
The Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Brisbane, Australia
C M McGowan*
Affiliation:
The Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Brisbane, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: catherine.mcgowan@helsinki.fi
Get access

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the heart rate (HR) and work variables of working cattle dogs during actual mustering exercise using a global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking unit‡ with an integrated HR monitor§. The GPS units allowed tracking of seven different Collie and Kelpie working cattle dogs over a total of ten sessions while employed in their usual role of mustering cattle in three locations in Queensland, Australia. Speed, distance and HR data were collected from the dogs during mustering in a variety of working situations. The working dogs covered distances between 13.3 and 30.2 km during mustering sessions ranging from 1 h 59 min to 4 h 24 min at working speeds of up to 43.7 km h− 1. Working temperatures ranged from 29 to 38°C. HR during working exercise ranged between 120 and 237 bpm and was above 180 bpm for 51–68% of the duration of work sessions. There was a positive linear relationship between speed and HR until HRmax (speed 26.0 km h− 1, 233 ± 4.2 bpm), then HR plateaued (R2 = 97.14%, P < 0.001). This study has documented the type of work done by cattle dogs and has shown that GPS devices and HR monitors can be utilized in field conditions to assess the exercise physiology of dogs.

Keywords

exerciseheart ratevelocityAustralian cattle dogGPS
Type
Research Paper
Information
Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , February 2007 , pp. 37 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Terrier, P, Ladetto, Q, Merminod, B and Schutz, Y (2000). High-precision satellite positioning system as a new tool to study the biomechanics of human locomotion. Journal of Biomechanics 33(12): 1717–1722.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2Terrier, P, Ladetto, Q, Merminod, B and Schutz, Y (2001). Measurement of the mechanical power of walking by satellite positioning system (GPS). Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 33(11): 1912–1918.Google Scholar
3Witte, TH and Wilson, AM (2004). Accuracy of non-differential GPS for the determination of speed over ground. Journal of Biomechanics 37(12): 1891–1898.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Witte, TH and Wilson, AM (2005). Accuracy of WAAS-enabled GPS for the determination of position and speed over ground. Journal of Biomechanics 38(8): 1717–1722.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Schutz, Y and Herren, R (2000). Assessment of speed of human locomotion using a differential satellite global positioning system. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 32(3): 642–646.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Hebenbrock, M, Due, M, Holzhausen, H, Sass, A, Stadler, P and Ellendorff, F (2005). A new tool to monitor training and performance of sport horses using global positioning system (GPS) with integrated GSM capabilities. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 112(7): 262–265.Google Scholar
7Kingston, JK, Soppet, GM, Rogers, CW and Firth, EC (2006). Use of a global positioning and heart rate monitoring system to assess training load in a group of Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 36: 106–109.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8Vermeulen, AD and Evans, DL (2006). Measurement of fitness in Thoroughbred racehorses using field studies of heart rate and velocity with a global positioning system. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 36: 113–117.Google Scholar
9Steiner, I, Burgi, C, Werffeli, S, Dell'Omo, G, Valenti, P, Troster, G, Wolfer, DP and Lipp, HP (2000). A GPS logger and software for analysis of homing in pigeons and small mammals. Physiology and Behavior 71(5): 589–596.Google Scholar
10Ahlstrom, O, Skrede, A, Speakman, J, Redman, P, Vhile, S and Hove, K (2006). Energy expenditure and water turnover in hunting dogs: a pilot study. The Journal of Nutrition 136: 2063s.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Van Citters, RL and Franklin, DL (1969). Cardiovascular performance of Alaska sled dogs during exercise. Circulation Research 24: 33–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Gavin, TP, Babington, JP, Harms, CA, Ardelt, ME, Tanner, DA and Stager, JM (2001). Clothing fabric does not affect thermoregulation during exercise in moderate heat. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 33(12): 2124–2130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13Stepien, RL, Hinchcliff, KW, Constable, PD and Olson, J (1998). Effect of endurance training on cardiac morphology in Alaskan sled dogs. Journal of Applied Physiology 85: 1368–1375.Google Scholar
14Evans, DL (1994). The cardiovascular system, anatomy physiology, and adaptations to exercise and training. In: Hodgson, DR and Rose, RJ (eds) The Athletic Horses: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine. Philadelphia, USA: WB Saunders Co., pp. 129–144.Google Scholar
15Wagner, JA, Horvath, SM and Dahms, TE (1977). Cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic adjustments to exercise in dogs. Journal of Applied Physiology 42(3): 403–407.Google Scholar
16Staaden, R (1984). The exercise physiology of the racing greyhound. Ph.D. Thesis, Murdoch University, Australia.Google Scholar