Working Dog Spotlight: Hunting Dogs

It's hard to imagine a time when man's best friend wasn't man's best friend. In this Working Dog Spotlight, we take a look at the pursuit that brought the two sides together.

History

It's believed that the first time man and canine joined together for hunting was around 20,000 years ago; how this occurred exactly is unknown. It's thought that the early hunter-gatherer groups began domesticating wolves that were proficient in spotting and then flushing out targets.

Slowly, as humans evolved, the wolves evolved with them. Wolves who were more aggressive towards humans were cast out in favour of wolves who were more subservient. 

The Egyptians are believed to have been one of the first groups of people that began breeding dogs specifically for hunting purposes. Egyptians valued the dogs for their highly refined skills in sourcing and sighting game across vast stretches of desert.

Types of Hunting Dogs

• Sight Hounds

  • These dogs have excellent vision and are able to spot prey from extreme distances. They are typically very quick and can move in on prey in a flash.

  • Sight hounds are tall and have large, sharp eyes. They are built more for speed than most other hunting dogs.

• Retrievers

  • These dogs are used specifically for retrieving birds that have landed in bodies of water. Their coats are water-repellent and their toes are webbed for quick, powerful swimming.

• Pointers

  • Pointer dogs have been bred to locate and point out prey. These dogs have highly developed senses and are able to locate even the most disguised or hidden game.

• Scent Hounds

  • These dogs are specialized in tracking and locating game using their heightened sense of smell. They are even able to follow a specific scent for several days without rest.

  • They will normally have their bodies low to the ground and are equipped with long ears that funnel the prey's scent into their nose.

Check out the rest of our Working Dog Spotlight series:

• Sled Dogs

• Search & Rescue Dogs

Sources:

“The History Behind Hunting With Dogs.” Hunting Dogs, 8 Dec. 2015, www.hunting-dog.net/the-history-behind-hunting-with-dogs/.

Team, Cuteness. “History and Characteristics of Hunting Dogs | Cuteness.” Cuteness.com, Cuteness, 9 Feb. 2017, www.cuteness.com/blog/content/history-and-characteristics-of-hunting-dogs.

Inukshuk: The Product.

Inukshuk Professional Dog Food offers 3 unique formulas:

• Inukshuk 26/16

• Inukshuk 30/25

• Inukshuk 32/32

 

What Do Those Numbers Mean?

The two numbers represent the protein-to-fat ratio of the food. For example, Inukshuk 32/32 would make up a ratio of 32% protein and 32% fat. Each step up is higher in protein and in fat level. The formulas correspond to the increasing needs of dogs as they work harder.

If the dog is in cold water hunting, then high energy 32/32 is best used. Then, when back home recuperating, it is best to move to a lower energy level food like 26/16.

This common ingredient base allows the dog to move up or down within the Inukshuk Power Band without any digestive upset. Keep in mind, some dogs may have a very high energy requirement, while others may not.

Why Does Protein Matter?

Protein has several roles in a dog's body. It provides the energy needed in repairing and buildings muscle tissues, growing new skin cells, hair, nails, it creates the hormones and enzymes needed to function normally and it keeps their immune system strong.

Two of the best sources of protein are chicken and fish, which are both key components of Inukshuk Dog Food.

Why Does Fat Matter?

Unlike humans, dogs burn fat before any other nutrient, therefore, it is very important that high energy dogs use food that can meet their needs. 

Fats are a dense source of energy that is necessary to keeping your pet active and healthy. They help maintain a shiny coat and can prevent skin disorders. They also are vitally important to your dog's ability to smell!

If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of fat, read our blog post: Fats: How They Keep Your Dog Healthy, Happy and Sniffing. 

Sources:

“PetMD.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/the_power_of_protein.

McGrath, Jane. “How Important Is Protein in a Dog's Diet?” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 27 Oct. 2011, animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/protein-dogs-diet1.htm.

“PetMD.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_fats_and_oils_good_for_your_dogs_health.

“Why Fats Are Important for Your Pet.” Automatic Pet Feeder, the SmartFeeder by Petnet, petnet.io/blog/why-fats-are-important-for-your-pet.

5 Inukshuk Dog Food Packaging Innovations

FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease

Source

July 12, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. These reports are unusual because DCM is occurring in breeds not typically genetically prone to the disease. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, a collaboration of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, are investigating this potential association.

Canine DCM is a disease of a dog’s heart muscle and results in an enlarged heart. As the heart and its chambers become dilated, it becomes harder for the heart to pump, and heart valves may leak, leading to a buildup of fluids in the chest and abdomen. DCM often results in congestive heart failure. Heart function may improve in cases that are not linked to genetics with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification, if caught early.

The underlying cause of DCM is not truly known, but is thought to have a genetic component. Breeds that are typically more frequently affected by DCM include large and giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards and Doberman Pinschers. It is less common in small and medium breed dogs, except American and English Cocker Spaniels. However, the cases that have been reported to the FDA have included Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, a Shih Tzu, a Bulldog and Miniature Schnauzers, as well as mixed breeds.

Diets in cases reported to the FDA frequently list potatoes or multiple legumes such as peas, lentils, other “pulses” (seeds of legumes), and their protein, starch and fiber derivatives early in the ingredient list, indicating that they are main ingredients. Early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicate that the dogs consistently ate these foods as their primary source of nutrition for time periods ranging from months to years. High levels of legumes or potatoes appear to be more common in diets labeled as “grain-free,” but it is not yet known how these ingredients are linked to cases of DCM. Changes in diet, especially for dogs with DCM, should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian.

In the reports the FDA has received, some of the dogs showed signs of heart disease, including decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse. Medical records for four atypical DCM cases, three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever, show that these dogs had low whole blood levels of the amino acid taurine. Taurine deficiency is well-documented as potentially leading to DCM. The Labrador Retriever with low whole blood taurine levels is recovering with veterinary treatment, including taurine supplementation, and a diet change. Four other cases of DCM in atypical dog breeds, a Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu and two Labrador Retrievers, had normal blood taurine levels. The FDA continues to work with board certified veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the clinical presentation of these dogs. The agency has also been in contact with pet food manufacturers to discuss these reports and to help further the investigation.

The FDA encourages pet owners and veterinary professionals to report cases of DCM in dogs suspected of having a link to diet by using the electronic Safety Reporting Portal or calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Please see the link below about “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint" for additional instructions.