Elsevier

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Volume 28, November–December 2018, Pages 6-10
Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Canine Research
Use of beds by laboratory beagles

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2018.07.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Comfortable resting areas for laboratory dogs have been recommended by many authors and by the European Directive 2010/63/EU. They are particularly important for geriatric dogs for age- and health-related reasons. Systematic research in this area has not been done. Therefore, we conducted an orientation study on the use of dog beds. In preliminary choice tests with 12 laboratory dogs (three groups), initial information was collected regarding dog bed properties such as size, elevation, and filling material. Subsequently, nine elderly laboratory dogs (three groups) were provided with dog beds filled with fleece blankets, either placed on the ground or elevated. The preliminary choice tests indicated a preference for soft bedding. Further studies would be necessary to confirm our preliminary results with a larger sample. The herein observed elderly dogs intensively used the resting places, especially at night, and rarely slept on the floor. The beds were used on average for 83% of the 10 hours dark phase when located on floor level. In contrast, beds that were elevated at a height of 30 cm were used 21% of the 10 hours dark phase. According to the results, we recommend a padded, soft bed which is easily accessible, especially for elderly dogs. Because of differences in preference among the groups, we further recommend providing a variety of options so that the animals have a choice.

Introduction

The European Directive 2010/63/EU (2010) demands a “comfortable resting area for all animals.” Resting places need to protect the dog from moisture and cold floors (Joint Working Group on Refinement, 2004). The literature offers a few descriptions and reports regarding the provision of dog beds for research dogs (Althaus, 1989, Eisele, 2001, Feldhaus, 1980, Loveridge, 1998), but systematic behavioral studies are rarely available. Döring et al. (2016) and Hubrecht (1993) showed that laboratory dogs intensively used the resting places that were available to them. However, with choice tests still missing, we do not know what kind of resting area laboratory dogs would prefer (Döring et al., 2016). In this orientation study, we collected initial information on the use of different dog beds. Because padded dog beds are recommended especially for older dogs (Eisele, 2001, Joint Working Group on Refinement, 2004, Loveridge, 1998, Mertens, 2002), we observed the use of dog beds and the effects on the dogs' behavior in elderly laboratory beagles.

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Materials and methods

Preliminary choice tests were performed with three dog groups at two locations (A and B). Based on the results of these choice tests, three additional groups of elderly dogs at location B were observed with two types of dog beds.

Preliminary choice tests

The dogs of group 1 used mostly medium-sized beds (mean in choice test “size”: 27% of 24 hours) and beds with fleece blanket (e.g. choice test “bedding: blanket versus rubber mat” 56% of 24 hours) or paper tissue (e.g. choice test “bedding: paper tissue versus rubber mat” 56% of 24 hours). The beds filled with rubber mats or fine wood wool were rarely used (<1% or 4% of 24 hours, respectively). The dogs used the elevated beds slightly less than the beds on the floor and spent a similar amount

Preliminary choice tests

In the preliminary choice tests, the dogs used beds with soft bedding. Most beds filled with rubber mats were only rarely used. Wood wool was removed from the beds and spread across the floor by the dogs, leading to an increased cleaning effort for the caretakers. Furthermore, with the soft filling removed, the beds were hard and likely not particularly attractive so that the dogs lay more on the floor than in the beds. In contrast, fleece blankets proved to be practical as they could be fixed

Conclusion and recommendations

The results of this study indicate that dogs prefer soft lying areas. The frequent use of comfortable beds stresses the importance of such enrichment for laboratory dogs. Offering dog beds did not elicit aggressive or abnormal behaviors. The elevated beds were not beneficial. If elevated beds are offered, additional beds placed on the floor should be available, especially for geriatric beagles. Further studies would be necessary to confirm our results with a larger sample.

Acknowledgments

The authors particularly thank the caretakers of both facilities for their assistance and patience.

Authors' contributions: The idea for the article was conceived by Dorothea Döring and Michael Erhard. The experiments were designed by Dorothea Döring, Ilona Backofen, Jörg Schmidt, and Michael Erhard. The experiments were performed by Ilona Backofen, Dorothea Döring, and Jörg Schmidt. The data were analyzed by Alexander Bauer, Ilona Backofen, and Dorothea Döring. The article was written by

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