Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs
Movement ecology is important for advancing our comprehension of animal behavior, but its application is yet to be applied to farm dogs. This pilot study uses combined GPS and accelerometer technology to explore the spatial patterns and activity levels of free roaming farm dogs, Canis familiaris (n ...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1325609/full |
| _version_ | 1797362478857846784 |
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| author | Kareemah Chopra Gareth Enticott Edward A. Codling |
| author_facet | Kareemah Chopra Gareth Enticott Edward A. Codling |
| author_sort | Kareemah Chopra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Movement ecology is important for advancing our comprehension of animal behavior, but its application is yet to be applied to farm dogs. This pilot study uses combined GPS and accelerometer technology to explore the spatial patterns and activity levels of free roaming farm dogs, Canis familiaris (n = 3). Space-use distributions and range sizes were determined to compare locations visited across days and between individuals, as well as in relation to specific areas of interest. Individual activity levels were analyzed and compared within and between dogs. Space-use patterns and range sizes showed variation among the dogs, although substantial similarity in overall spatial distributions were observed between each pair. Among the dogs, the extent of spatial distribution overlap between days varied, with some individuals exhibiting more overlap than others. The dogs allocated different amounts of their time close to landscape features, and to slow-, medium-, and fast movements. This study demonstrates the potential of using automated tracking technology to monitor space-use and interactions between dogs, livestock, and wildlife. By understanding and managing the free ranging behavior of their farm dogs, farmers could potentially take steps to improve the health and wellbeing of both their dogs and their livestock, limiting disease spread, and reducing the possibility of related economic losses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:07:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8fa297d5a83b4b81b89f026acb9ba036 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:07:32Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-8fa297d5a83b4b81b89f026acb9ba0362024-01-08T04:57:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692024-01-011010.3389/fvets.2023.13256091325609Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogsKareemah Chopra0Gareth Enticott1Edward A. Codling2School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Essex, Colchester, United KingdomSchool of Geography and Planning, University of Cardiff, Cardiff, United KingdomSchool of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Essex, Colchester, United KingdomMovement ecology is important for advancing our comprehension of animal behavior, but its application is yet to be applied to farm dogs. This pilot study uses combined GPS and accelerometer technology to explore the spatial patterns and activity levels of free roaming farm dogs, Canis familiaris (n = 3). Space-use distributions and range sizes were determined to compare locations visited across days and between individuals, as well as in relation to specific areas of interest. Individual activity levels were analyzed and compared within and between dogs. Space-use patterns and range sizes showed variation among the dogs, although substantial similarity in overall spatial distributions were observed between each pair. Among the dogs, the extent of spatial distribution overlap between days varied, with some individuals exhibiting more overlap than others. The dogs allocated different amounts of their time close to landscape features, and to slow-, medium-, and fast movements. This study demonstrates the potential of using automated tracking technology to monitor space-use and interactions between dogs, livestock, and wildlife. By understanding and managing the free ranging behavior of their farm dogs, farmers could potentially take steps to improve the health and wellbeing of both their dogs and their livestock, limiting disease spread, and reducing the possibility of related economic losses.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1325609/fullfarm dogsglobal positioning system (GPS)animal movementspace-usemovement analysis |
| spellingShingle | Kareemah Chopra Gareth Enticott Edward A. Codling Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs Frontiers in Veterinary Science farm dogs global positioning system (GPS) animal movement space-use movement analysis |
| title | Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs |
| title_full | Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs |
| title_fullStr | Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs |
| title_short | Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs |
| title_sort | where did my dog go a pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs |
| topic | farm dogs global positioning system (GPS) animal movement space-use movement analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1325609/full |
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