Chopra, Kareemah and Enticott, Gareth and Codling, Edward A (2024) Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. 1325609-. DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1325609
Chopra, Kareemah and Enticott, Gareth and Codling, Edward A (2024) Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. 1325609-. DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1325609
Chopra, Kareemah and Enticott, Gareth and Codling, Edward A (2024) Where did my dog go? A pilot study exploring the movement ecology of farm dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. 1325609-. DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1325609
Abstract
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, <jats:italic>Canis familiaris</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 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.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | farm dogs, global positioning system (GPS), animal movement, space-use, movement analysis |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Science and Health > Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, School of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jan 2024 13:01 |
Last Modified: | 16 May 2024 22:13 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/37573 |
Available files
Filename: fvets-10-1325609.pdf