What is a performance dog?
Performance dogs can be categorized by the wide variety of activities in which they engage.
Sprint events are high intensity physical activities performed in short bursts. Examples of sprinting activities include racing, coursing (chasing a lure over an outdoor course), and weight pulling.
Intermediate events are physical activities sustained over minutes to several hours. Examples of intermediate activities include agility, exercise with owners (bicycling, running), field trial, hunting, search and rescue, and service work (physical assistance, dog guides).
Endurance events are physical activities sustained over many hours. The most common endurance work for dogs is sled-pulling in races like the Iditarod. There are also places across North America where sled dog tours are popular in winter months.
The success of performance dogs depends on a combination of genetics, training, and nutrition. A dog’s genetic characteristics must match the activity they are being trained to perform. For instance, sighthounds are built to excel at the chase over a short distance in the open. They have a lean body build with long legs and little body fat when at a healthy weight. Other breeds with a bulky muscular build, once in harness, may be suitable for pulling a weighted sled over a short or long distance.
Physique alone, however, does not guarantee success; these dogs must have the drive to want to perform and compete, and this is mostly a function of their individual genetics. If a dog has the build and the drive, then its performance can be optimized by paying attention to its unique nutritional needs in conjunction with an appropriate training program. There are many resources available to help create an effective training program for the activity the dog will be engaged in. No matter the specific focus of training, several key principles hold:
- It is important to start training at the dog’s current fitness level and steadily build capacity over time.
- As intensity and duration of any type of training increase, the body and the tissues will adapt to accept the greater challenge.
- The overall dietary goals for any effective training program are to provide an appropriate nutrient profile that is complete and balanced to support both health and performance.
What is the most important nutrient for performance dogs?
The most important nutrient for performance dogs is often overlooked: water. Water is essential for all biological activities, and it helps tissues absorb concussive forces during physical work or exertion.
Active dogs engaged in scent work, tracking, running, or pulling can lose a significant amount of fluid through panting, which means their hydration needs can be higher than a non-active dog. For example, in warm conditions, highly active dogs may need up to 50% more water — two to three times the volume of their daily food intake.
For a dog’s body to cool itself appropriately during increased activity, water evaporates from the respiratory tract, which quickly depletes the body’s water stores. For that reason, fresh, clean water must always be available during training.
Consuming small amounts of water frequently is better than allowing a dog to “tank up” with a large drink all at once. Filling the stomach with water and then returning to vigorous activity may increase the risk of gastric volvulus and dilation (GDV), also called “bloat.” Signs of GDV include decreased activity, a distended abdomen, and non-productive vomiting. If you see these signs during training, or any other time, seek veterinary care immediately. GDV is a surgical emergency with a high mortality rate.
Hydration Tips
- Electrolyte replenishment is not necessary. Unlike humans, dogs do not lose electrolytes through sweating. Focus on offering fresh, clean water always (not just during feeding).
- During intense activity or events, offer small sips of water every 15–20 minutes.
- Hot and humid conditions greatly increase water requirements. Provide shade whenever possible.
- In the days before a competition, in warm climates, mix extra water into meals to boost hydration (pre-hydration).
- Extreme cold will increase a dog’s energy needs as the dog must work to regulate their temperature (e.g., a hunting dog with a lighter haircoat not intended for a cold climate).
Do performance dogs have special nutritional needs?
Working and performance dogs have unique nutritional requirements based on their life stage and training, as well as time of year and environmental factors. Before your dog starts training, it is important to have your family veterinarian and/or an experienced veterinary nutritionist conduct a nutritional assessment to match the nutrient profile to the individual, their age (life stage), and the activity.
Nutrient profiles should be complete and balanced, where “complete” means all known nutrients are included for the dog’s life stage, and “balanced” means those nutrients are in the correct proportions. The benchmarks for nutrient minimums are established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or the European equivalent of AAFCO (known as FEDIAF).
When evaluating nutrient profiles, it is critical to use dry matter data (data measured after all the water is removed from the food sample) and to avoid percentages on pet food labels. This is the only way to accurately compare one food with another, since water content can vary so widely among different foods.
- Sprint athletes do better with a nutrient profile that favors carbohydrates and is lower in fat. This allows for quick conversion of food to energy. These dogs work in short, intense bursts, so they do not need a consistently high calorie intake.
- Intermediate activity athletes have highly variable nutritional needs. If the duration of their activities is relatively short — up to an hour or two — they do well on a nutrient profile similar to the sprinters’. If the duration is longer, a nutrient profile slightly higher in fat may be more appropriate.
- Endurance athletes need five or more times the calories of a dog at rest. It takes time to acclimate dogs to this high Calorie intake, and this nutrient profile should not be fed all the time, but only during training and competing.
How do I know if my dog needs a change in their nutrition?
Watch for these signs that your performance dog may need extra support:
- Stress diarrhea: Loose stools during or after activity
- Changes in body condition: Noticeable weight loss or gain
- Changes in muscle tone: Muscles look less defined or weaker
- Drop in performance: Slower times, less stamina, or reduced enthusiasm
- Trouble keeping up with training: Struggling to maintain current fitness level
- Conditioning progress has stalled: No improvement despite regular work
- Signs of fatigue or overheating: Excessive panting, reluctance to continue
- Behavioral changes: Irritability, withdrawal, or lack of focus
Creating the most effective nutritional plan for a working or performance dog often requires guidance from a qualified veterinary nutritionist. These specialists have the expertise to critically assess nutrient profiles in commercial diets, homemade recipes, and supplements. If necessary, they can also use formulation software to design tailored, homemade recipes to meet an individual dog’s unique needs for training, work, or competition.
