Effect of harness design on the biomechanics of domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ) ...
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...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | unknown |
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Taylor & Francis
2023
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24173131 https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Effect_of_harness_design_on_the_biomechanics_of_domestic_dogs_i_Canis_lupus_familiaris_i_/24173131 |
| Summary: | 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. ... |
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