Effect of harness design on the biomechanics of domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris )
Williams, E., Hunton, V., Boyd, J. and Carter, A. (2023) Effect of harness design on the biomechanics of domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. pp. 1-17. ISSN 1088-8705
|
Text
E Williams Effect of harness design on the biomechanics. UPLOAD OCR.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (6MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Harnesses have become increasingly popular and whilst there are benefits to harnesses, the impact of harness design on canine biomechanics, and thus physical health and welfare is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of three popular commercially available harnesses on canine locomotion in 66 domestic dogs. Dogs were filmed moving on a loose lead over a Tekscan Strideway gait analysis system. Stride length as a proportion of limb length (calculated as distance from the elbow to the floor), body weight distribution in the front versus the hind limbs (%), and minimum and maximum apparent angles of the lateral epicondyle of humerus (LEH) and greater tubercle of humerus (GTH) during the motion cycle were measured. Except for GTH angles, there were significant differences in all the investigated metrics. Differences varied across breeds/breed types. It is recommended that, when purchasing and fitting harnesses for dogs, owners and harness fitters treat dogs on an individual basis. The impact of pulling in harness on dog gait requires investigation as dogs may experience greater restrictions when pulling than during locomotion on a loose lead.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Gait analysis, canine health and welfare, restraint device, canine locomotion, harness |
| Divisions: | Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare (from 1.09.21) |
| Depositing User: | Miss Terésa-Marie Jones |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Dec 2023 11:38 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Dec 2023 11:38 |
| URI: | https://hau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18026 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |