Energy requirements for growth in the Yorkshire terrier

Energy Requirements for Growth in the Norfolk Terrier

An appropriate energy intake for healthy growth can reduce the risk of obesity and co-morbidities, such as orthopaedic diseases. The 2006 National Research Council (NRC) universal equation calculates the energy requirement of growing dogs based on predicted adult body weight, but evidence suggests a revision may be required. This study investigates the energy requirements of seventeen Norfolk terrier puppies over their first year (10 to 52 weeks). Puppies were individually fed complete and balanced diets in amounts to maintain an optimal body condition score (BCS), recording intake daily and body weight and BCS weekly. To monitor health a veterinary examination, haematology and plasma biochemistry and serum measures of bone turnover were undertaken every 12 weeks. Skeletal development was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (26 and 52 weeks). Puppies were clinically healthy with normal skeletal development and healthy growth throughout. The energy intake to achieve this was significantly lower than that predicted by the NRC (2006) equation at all time points, with largest mean difference of 285 kJ/kg^0.75 per day at 10 weeks. If fed according to the NRC 2006 equation, dogs would have been in positive energy balance, possibly leading to obesity. These data support a revision to the NRC (2006) equation.

Bodyweight at Birth and Growth Rate during the Neonatal Period in Three Canine Breeds

Simple Summary

The 349 recognized canine breeds differ greatly in bodyweight and, therefore, in birthweight and neonatal growth. The weight and growth of puppies are easily measurable, and are possible early indicators of problems. Low birthweight has been linked to neonatal mortality based on results obtained by grouping breeds according to their adult bodyweight. Breed-specific ranges of birthweight and growth would allow for the identification of puppies at risk. Our aim was to evaluate the birthweight and early growth of healthy puppies of three breeds in a breed-specific manner. Birthweight, expressed as percentage of mothers’ bodyweight, showed that puppies of a large breed are born smaller than puppies of a small breed. Puppies of a large breed gain weight slower than puppies of a small breed. Sex has no impact on birthweight, whereas litter size influences birthweight and weight gain. Based on our procedure, we considered 29 of 213 puppies to be of a low birthweight, whereas 160 of 213 might have been considered of a low birthweight if using the classical criteria (based on breed groups). This shows the importance of breed-specific evaluations of birthweight. Further research is needed on the importance of breed-specific evaluations for early growth.

Abstract

Weight at birth (bBW) and early weight gain have been linked to the risk of neonatal mortality. Pups are described to be of low bBW if weighing less than one standard deviation (SD) below the mean. Most studies classified breeds according to their expected adult bodyweight. Our aim was to evaluate the breed specificity of these parameters. We assessed the bBW of 213 puppies of Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD), Tibetan Terrier (TT), and Lhasa Apso (LA) breeds, as well as the neonatal growth rate of 133 puppies of BMD and TT. BMD puppies were born relatively smaller than puppies of TT and LA (p ≤ 0.0001) and gained less weight than TT puppies during the first 14 days (p ≤ 0.05). Litter size had a significant impact on bBW and daily gain until the onset of the third week for BMD (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0005, respectively) and TT (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0064, respectively). When using bBW means and SD specifically assessed according to breed, 29 out of the 213 neonates of our study were judged as being of low bBW, whereas, when using the classical criteria (based on breed groups), the number of low bBW pups was 160 of 213. These results suggest that evaluations of bBW and neonatal growth should be performed in a breed-specific manner.