Feeding canine athletes
I was reading an article on feeding canine athletes that was very interesting. It talked about the various types of dog athletes and the research done to determine proper percentages to feed for that kind of activity. There was a chart of the types of activity, the level of intensity used and energy requirements for that activity. Here’s what it had for “working livestock”.

The intensity level at the time of activity was low to medium. The energy requirements for exercising the dogs was rated at the high level. My dogs fell into the category of intermediate exercise intensity. That’s because they exercise hard, sometimes for hours during the weekend but many not exercise during the week. Sometimes they exercise more regularly but at moderate or low intensity. For them there are bursts of intense activity.

The article talks about how the “physical activity necessitates an increase in metabolism, which in turn increases the need for energy. Fat is the most energy dense nutrient available to fulfill this need. ... Working dogs consuming higher fat diets respond to an exercise bout by releasing more FFA (free fatty acids) than dogs fed an caloric diet of lower fat content.”

This was the suggested guide for approximate protein, fat and carbohydrate calorie levels in herding dogs...
25% Protein, 35-65% Fat, 10-40 Carbohydrate

Also interesting to note the article discusses Hydration. I think by now most dog trainers know that keeping a dog hydrated can be the most important determinant of endurance and performance. What many folks get confused by though is that unlike people, sweat isn’t the primary thermo-regulation for dogs. Therefore, they don’t benefit from electrolyte replacement drinks. I see many folks (not so much herding people but more agility people) giving their dogs electrolyte type drinks when encouraging the dog to drink more water is better for the dog.