Most New Zealand working farm dogs have relatively short coats that offer limited protection from cold temperatures. Due to their athleticism and high activity levels, farm dogs are likely to have less insulating subcutaneous fat.
This means that suitable kennels are required. These should be watertight, have small entrances, be located in a sheltered area, and have bedding that keeps draft away. Bedding also takes the pressure off the muscles and joints or injuries.
A dog’s energy expenditure can be affected by the quality of its housing due to ambient temperatures, impacting on energy requirements. Dogs housed in warm kennels use less energy on thermoregulation (the process that allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature) and therefore have lower energy requirements. They also maintain their BCS (Body Condition Score) more easily.
A draughty/damp kennel causes a dog to require more food. This is because the colder the dogs are, the more energy and muscle mass they use to keep warm, so those reserves are unable to be utilised for work. Additionally, it has been shown that exposure to low temperatures is associated with increased levels of stress hormones, while dogs housed in actively heated kennels tend to rest more.[1]
Water is crucial to working dogs. Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat to any great extent and instead lose water through respiration. During exercise, water losses can increase by ten to twenty times and even mild dehydration in working dogs can affect their performance.[2] Therefore dogs should have plenty of opportunity to drink before, during and after exercise to ensure adequate hydration.
In addition, cases of constipation are common in New Zealand working farm dogs, linked to dehydration which is a common problem during summer months.[3]
[1] Rooney et al, 2009.
[2] Wortinger, 2007.
[3] Case, 2005a