Athletic and Working Dogs: Activities & Descriptors

Performance Science and Sports Medicine in the Athletic and Working Dogs

Performance science is a relatively new field in Veterinary Medicine. Performance Science aims to maximize canine performance in terms of endurance, physical fitness, metabolic efficiency and the ability to resist, postpone or prevent disease or injury. It also aims to enhance the dog’s sensorial and behavioral activities. This area of Sports Medicine has access to a greater number of clientele and dogs then the Sports Medicine area which typically deals with injuries and sports or activity related sickness.

Performance Science (Pre-Performance efforts)
- This area of medicine includes conditioning and training for optimum output and prevention of illness and injury.
- Genetics, Training, Conditioning, Nutrition, Injury Prevention

Sports Medicine (Post-Event Management)
- Injury or medical management includes the decisions of treatment or therapy of an injury or medical event and the related rehabilitation efforts that allows the athlete or working dog to return to its work safely and efficiently.
- Nutrition, Medical Care, Injury Treatment, Rehabilitation, Reconditioning

Dogs participate in many activities. It is very important for the Veterinarian to have an understanding of the activities related to the performance of their athletic or working dog patient. It is also important for them to understand at what level these tasks will be requested. For example, the abilities of the Military Working Canine are very important to those individuals whose lives may be dependent upon their efforts. The management and veterinary care selections for these cases should be designed to allow for optimal performance, minimized downtime and, from a rehabilitation standpoint, a return to full performance capabilities. Other dogs who participate in professional activities also require a high level of Veterinary expertise, a Performance Scientist or experienced Dog Handler who understand their work, sport and participation environment to allow them to perform optimally. Breeding decisions many times are made through analysis of canine performance. How the athletic or working dog is utilized may play a role in husbandry and management design related to performance and decisions related to treatment options and follow up care. Canine breeding and breeding selection for performance is not typically included in the general studies of most veterinary colleges. Therefore the Veterinarian or Performance scientist who works with Athletic or Working dogs requires a unique skill set and knowledge base to help the owners and handlers who manage or own these dogs.

Athletic and Working Dogs

The list of dog related activities is quite diverse and includes many activities. It is important to note that these dogs are participating in activities that they enjoy doing, have been bred to perform and have been trained to handle the related tasks. There are almost as many activities as there are breeds of dogs. Therefore it is helpful to have an understanding of the all of the activities. The following is a list of performance definitions and sports in which dogs participate. It does not include all sports and working efforts of the dogs but is meant to be a general guide to some of the more common events and give an example of the diversity of dogs activities.

Professional vs Nonprofessional

Professional efforts are divided into two areas. One is where the dog (animal) is performing their activity to achieve financial gain or competing for a purse. This typically includes greyhound racing, sled dog racing, horse racing, camel racing, pigeon racing, etc. The other area is where the dogs (animals) are competing or working in a non-monetary scenario but they are managed by paid professionals. This can include competitive efforts or working efforts. The competitive events can include but are not limited to professional competitions like all-age pointing dog stakes, field trial retrieving, flushing, herding, IPO (Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung – used to be called Schutzhund), etc. Professional working efforts can include, but are not limited to, detection dogs of the federal agencies, law enforcement and fire department; dual-purpose dogs of the military and law enforcement; and contract dogs performing similar duties. It also includes the large operational kennels of the private and for-profit plantations and hunting operations.

Nonprofessional efforts can be competitive or operational. This group can range from a workout companion to various levels of competition or work. In the competitive events, there will not be a purse or financial reward. Most often the handlers or owners are not getting compensated to manage or work the dog. Many non-competitive working events are in scenarios where the dog is used to assist the handler/owner. Examples of these activities may include, but are not limited to: working livestock (ie cattle, sheep, etc), hunting (game or bird), service/guide efforts, etc. They may also include detection efforts like Search and Rescue, Avalanche dogs, etc or non-detection events like Water rescue Newfoundlands, where the handlers may be part of a recognized organization and get reimbursed for expenses but are not on a payroll.

Professional Dog Competitions and Activities

Greyhound Racing

breed involved: Greyhound
sprint exercise
follow a false prey around an oval track
hunt by vision, not scent

Sled Dog Racing

breeds involved include the Selective-Bred dogs, Alaskan Sled Dogs, Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan Malamute
endurance exercise / strength exercise
team of dog pull a sled and musher cross-country over natural terrain
sprint & long distance racing, 4-100 miles up to 1150 miles

Professional Working Dogs

Detection: Bomb, Explosive, Tracking, Misc.

breeds most commonly used are Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Springer Spaniel or similar breeds
dogs are used to detect narcotics, weapons, explosives, mold, and termites
dog is trained to sit when they recognize a target odor and point the handler in the direction of the scent
Governmental Agency
- DHS Agencies
- Secret Service
- Customs and Border Patrol
- TSA
- Capital Police
Military
Law Enforcement
Contractual Private Industry

Patrol Dogs (Aggression work)

breeds most commonly used are Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, or similar breeds
Law Enforcement
Military
Contractual Guard Dogs

Dual Purpose

breeds most commonly used are Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, or similar breeds
Patrol and Detection
Law Enforcement
Military
Contractual Guard Dogs

Guide Dogs & Service Dogs

Breeds most commonly used are Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievers
Examples of related organizations
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
- The Seeing Eye
- Canine Companions for Independence
- Paws with a Cause

Hunting Dogs

breeds involved include the Brittany Spaniel, English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, English Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Vizsla, Weimaraner, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, English Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, etc
Plantation
Hunting Guides

Herding

all herding group dogs are involved
endurance exercise
dogs herd sheep, cattle, or ducks through obstacles and into a pen

Search and Rescue or other detection

breeds involved include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers are just some examples
endurance exercise
uses the principles of tracking to find lost or injured individuals or cadavers
often times, the dog must navigate through wilderness, debris, or a demolished building to find the individual

Non Professional Working and Athletic Dogs (Some events have a professional level)

Tracking

breeds involved are scent hounds
endurance exercise
in competition, dog follows a scent to find a leather glove or wallet
when used in law enforcement, the dog follows the scent trails left by a human being

Herding

all herding group dogs are involved
endurance exercise
sport has long been important in the livestock industry and is now used to preserve the talents and abilities of the herding breeds
dogs herd sheep, cattle, or ducks through obstacles and into a pen

Protection Related Sports (Internationale Gebrauchshund Pruefung or IGP)

formerly called Schutzhund, VPG, IPO
there are several other protection sports, ie French ringsport, Mondioring, and PSA
breeds involved include German Shepherds, Dobermans, Boxers, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Airedale Terriers, Belgian Shepherds, and Bouvier de Flandres
endurance, sprint and strength exercise
involves 3 phases of competition:
- Tracking
  - through use of scent, the dog must find a person’s track and discover
  - articles dropped along the way
  - done on dirt or in grass
- Obedience
  - involves heeling, gunfire tests, recall, 10-20 minute long down, jumping,
  - and retrieving
- Protection
  - show of courage without viciousness
  - dog allowed to bite sleeve after an initial attack on itself or its owner, but
  - must release once commanded

Pointer Hunt Test

breeds involved include the Brittany, English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Vizsla, Weimaraner, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
endurance exercise
a simulated bird hunt designed to evaluate a dog’s abilities as a hunting companion
judged against a standard on hunting, bird finding ability, pointing, trainability, retrieving, and honoring

Pointer Field Trial

breeds involved include the Brittany, English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Vizsla, Weimaraner, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
endurance exercise
judged against the dog competing against it
dogs run for at least 30 minutes and must show a keen desire to hunt, independence in hunting while still responding t commands
dog must locate game, point staunchly, and be steady to wing and shot

Retriever Hunt Test

breeds involved include the Chesapeake Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, and Standard Poodle
endurance exercise
a simulated bird hunt designed to evaluate a dog’s abilities as a hunting companion
dog judged on marking, style, perseverance, and trainability on land and water

Retriever Field Trial

breeds involved include the Chesapeake Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, and Standard Poodle
endurance exercise
dog must seek and retrieve fallen game when ordered to do so
judged on their natural abilities and abilities acquired through training

Versatility Bird Hunting

breeds involved include the German Shorthair Pointer, German Longhaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Vizsla, Munsterlander, Brittany, Pudelpointer, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
endurance exercise
tests dogs that have been bred and trained to hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water
judged on categories such as nose, search, tracking, pointing, water abilities, desire, and cooperation

Coonhounds

there are six types of Coonhounds: American English, Black and Tan, Bluetick, Plott, Redbone, and Treeing Walker
endurance exercise
essentially a wild coon hunt without injuring the raccoon
dogs are scored on striking (locating the coon’s trail), trailing, and treeing (baying to indicate the coon has been treed)

Fox Hunting

breeds involved include Fox Hounds (American, English, and Crossbred)
endurance exercise
sport of mounted riders chasing wild quarry (fox, coyote, bobcat) with a pack of hounds
emphasis more on the chase rather than the kill

Beagling or Bassetts (Walking packs or Single Dog)

breeds involve Beagles, and Bassett Hounds
endurance exercise
hunting of hares on foot with a small pack of hounds
hunt primarily by scent rather than sight

Water Rescue

Breeds are typically Newfoundlands
they need to be strong swimmers
naturally inclined to go into the water
strong enough to pull a human (or humans) to safety.

Earth Dog

breeds involved are small terriers and Dachshunds
measures the natural aptitude and hunting/working behaviors of these breeds when exposed to an underground hunting situation
dogs follow the scent of a rat down a 9 x 9 inch tunnel, with the rat being placed in a metal cage at the end of the tunnel

Odor Detection or Scent Competitions (Barn Hunt, Scent Work. etc)

Many breeds participate
dogs are used to detect narcotics, weapons, explosives, mold, rats, and termites
dog is trained to sit when they recognize a target odor and point the handler in the direction of the scent

Obedience Trials

open to all breeds of dogs
endurance exercise
exercises which attest to a dog’s good manners
required to sit, stay, lie down, come, fetch a dumbbell, and jump obstacles

Agility

open to all breeds of dogs, purebred and mixed breeds
endurance exercise
based on speed and physical ability to perform obstacles
a course can include jumps, contact obstacles, weave poles, tunnels, and/or chutes

Fly Ball

open to all breeds
sprint exercise
relay race with 4 dogs to a team
51 foot course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles, and a spring-loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball

Dock Diving

open to all breeds
sprint exercise
the dog sprints down a dock-like and jumps into a pool
there are competitions for distance, bumper grabs and other jump-related actions

Disc Dog

open to all breeds of dogs
Catch and Retrieve: timed round where one dog and its thrower attempt to make as many successful throws/catches as possible before time runs out
Freestyle: routine of choreographed tricks that involve many different types of throws and catches
Accuracy: four circles of various sizes are placed in the field – the further the circle, the more points awarded for the catch
Long Distance: longest throw/catch wins

Coursing – Live Game

mainly sighthounds, Greyhounds, Whippets, Deerhounds, Salukis, Afghans, and Lurchers participate
sprint exercise
chase a hare over natural terrain
points are awarded for speed and agility
average course lasts for 35-40 seconds, or until the dog loses sight of the hare

Coursing – Lure

sprint exercise
prey is a plastic bag or a piece of artificial fur
mechanical lure consists of a string run through a set of pullies planted in a field to form a course of 600-1,000 yards
pullies simulate the running and turning actions of live prey

Hound Trailing

Breed: Trail Hounds
Two trailers carry rags to the halfway point and then walk away from each other, one towards the start and one towards the finish, laying the trail
The first dog to cross the line wins

Sighthound Racing

breed involved: Sighthounds
sprint exercise
follow a false prey around an oval track or over field course
hunt by vision, not scent