Research Publications

This is a partial list of peer-reviewed research publications with information related to agility dog health. If you click on the link you will be redirected to an abstract (short summary) of the publication or to a site with access to the full text of the publication. Enjoy!

Injuries and Medical Problems

• Sellon DC, Marcellin-Little DJ, McFarlane D, McCue M, Pechette Markley A, Shoben A. Adverse health events and recommended health research priorities in agility dogs as reported by dog owners. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1127632. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1127632.
• Sack D, Canapp D, Canapp S, Majeski S, Curry J, Sutton A, Cullen R. Iliopsoas strain demographics, concurrent injuries, and grade determined by musculoskeletal ultrasound in 72 agility dogs. Can J Vet Res. 2023;87:196-201.
• Pechette Markley A. Management of injuries in agility dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2023;S0195-5616(23)00031-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.02.012.
• Entani MG, Franini A, Barella G, Saleri R, De Rensis F, Spattini G. High-resolution ultrasonographic anatomy of the carpal tendons of sporting border collies. Animals (Basel). 2022;12:2050. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162050.
• Jimenez IA, Canapp SO, Percival ML. Internet-based survey evaluating the impact of ground substrate on injury and performance in canine agility athletes. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:1025331. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.1025331.
• Fry LM, Kieves NR, Shoben AB, Rychel JK, Pechette Markley A. Internet survey evaluation of iliopsoas injury in dogs participating in agility competitions. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:930450. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.930450
• Essner A, Kjellerstedt C, Hesback AL, Svensson K, Igelstrom H. Dog handler beliefs regarding barriers and facilitators to canine health promotion and injury prevention in Swedish working dog trials and competitions. Vet Sci. 2022;9:242. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9050242.
• Sundby AE, Pechette Markley A, Shoben AB, Kieves NR. Internet survey evaluation of demographic risk factors for injury in canine agility athletes. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:869702. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.869702.
• Inkila L, Hyytiainen H, Hielm-Bjorkman A, Junnila J, Bergh A, Bostrom A. Part II of Finnish agility dog survey: Agility-related injuries and risk factors for injury in competition-level agility dogs. Animals 2022;12:227. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030227.
• Sellon DC, Marcellin-Little DJ. Risk factors for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs participating in canine agility. BMC Vet Res. 2022;18:39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03146-2.
• Pechette Markley A, Shoben AB, Kieves NR. Internet survey of risk factors associated with training and competition in dogs competing in agility competitions. Frontiers Vet Sci. 2022;8:791617. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.791617.
• Entani MG, Franini A, Dragone L, Barella G, DeRensis F, Spattini G. Efficacy of serial ultrasonographic examinations in predicting return to play in agility dogs with shoulder lameness. Animals. 2021;12:78. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010078.
• Norton EM, Minor KM, Taylor SM, McCue ME, Mickelson JR. Heritability and genomic architecture of episodic exercise-induced collapse in Border Collies. Genes. 2021;12:1927.
• Toijala TM, Canapp DA, Canapp SO. Ultrasonography findings in the proximal sciatic nerve and deep gluteal muscles in 29 dogs with suspected sciatic neuritis. 2021;8:704904.
• Evanow JA, VanDeventer G, Dinallo G, Mann S, Frye CW, Wakshlag JJ. Internet survey of participant demographics and risk factors for injury in competitive agility dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumat Open. 2021;4:e92-398.
• Sellon DC, Marcellin-Little DJ, Powers M, Fernandezlopez S, Cullen KL. Impact of digit amputation on dogs competing in agility. Vet Comp Orthop Traumat Open. 2021;4:e51-e57.
• Pechette Markley A, Shoben AB, Kieves NR. Internet-based survey of the frequency and types of orthopedic conditions and injuries experienced by dogs competing in agility. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2021;259:1001-1008.
• Heidorn SN, Canapp SO Jr, Zink CM, Leasure CS, Carr BJ. Rate of return to agility competition for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament tears treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2018;253:1439-1444.
• Tomlinson JE, Manfredi JM. Return to sport after injury: A web-based survey of owners and handlers of agility dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2018;31:473-478.
• Adams RW, Holmes SP, Franklin SP. Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis and arthroscopic treatment of medial meniscal injury in a dog with a palpably stable stifle. Can Vet J. 2018;59:654-658.
• Sellon DC, Martucci K, Wenz JR, Marcellin-Little DJ, Powers M, Cullen KL. A survey of risk factors for digit injuries among dogs training and competing in agility events. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2018;252:75-83.
• Day G, Powers MK, Gyes N, Plummer L. Vision and athletic performance: Data from agility dogs. Vision Devel Rehab. 2018;4:38-47.
• Kerr ZY, Fields S, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of injury among handlers and dogs competing in the sport of agility. J Phys Act Health. 2014;11:1032-1040.
• Cullen KL, Dickey JP, Bent LR, Thomason JJ, Moens NM. Survey-based analysis of risk factors for injury among dogs participating in agility training and competition events. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;243:1019-1024.
• Cullen KL, Dickey JP, Bent LR, Thomason JJ, Moens NM. Internet-based survey of the nature and perceived causes of injury to dogs participating in agility training and competition events. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;243:1010-1018.
• Levy M, Hall C, Trentacosta N, Percival M. A preliminary retrospective survey of injuries occurring in dogs participating in canine agility. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2009;22:321-324.
• Ridge PA. Isolated medial meniscal tear in a Border Collie. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2006;19:110-112.
• Marcellin-Little DJ, Levine D, Taylor R. Rehabilitation and conditioning of sporting dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2005;35:1427-1439.

Exercise Science

• Vitt MA, Rendahl A, Pracht SE, Knotek BM, Lascelles BDX, Gordon-Evans W, Conzemius MG. Nine-axis inertial measurement unit output discriminates activities of varying intensity in the dog. Am J Vet Res. 2023;84. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.22.10.0178.
• Essner A, Hesbach AL, Igelstrom H, Kjellerstedt C, SvenssonK, Westerlind H. Physical activity and sport-specific training patterns in Swedish sporting and working trial dogs – A questionnaire survey. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:976000. https://doi.org/10.3389.fvets.2022.976000.
• Pogue J, Zink C, Kieves NR. Effects of jump height on forelimb landing forces in border collies. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:1006990. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.1006990.
• Higurashi Y. Comparative biomechanics of canine agility. Brain Nerve. 2022;74:1061-1066. https://doi.org/10.11477/mf.1416202184. (Article in Japanese.)
• Eicher LD, Pechette Markley A, Shoben A, Sundby AE, Kieves NR. Evaluation of variability in gait styles used by dogs completing weave poles in agility competition and its effect on completion of the obstacle. Frontiers Vet Sci. 2021;8:761493.
• Sohnel K, Andrada E, Lussanet MHE, Wagner H, Fischer MS, Rode C. Single limb dynamics of jumping turns in dogs. Res Vet Sci. 2021;140:69-78.
• Miro F, Lopez P, Vilar JM, Galisteo AM, Vivo J, Garrido-Castr JL, Gutierrez-Cepeda L. Comparative kinematic analysis of hurdle clearance technique in dogs: a preliminary report. Animals. 2020;10:2405.
• Zink C, Schlehr MR. Working dog structure: Evaluation and relationship to function. Front Vet Sci. 2020;7:559055.
• Sohnel K, Rode C, deLussanet MHE, Wagner H, Fischer MS, Andrada E. Limb dynamics in agility jumps of beginner and advanced dogs. J Exp Biol. 2020;223:jeb202119.
• Castilla A, Knotek B, Vitt M, Gordon-Evans W. Carpal extension angles in agility dogs exiting the A-frame and hurdle jumps. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2020;33:142-146.
• Davis MS, Marcellin-Little DJ, O’Connor E. Comparison of postexercise cooling methods in working dogs. J Spec Oper Med. 2019;56 – 60.
• Appelgrein C, Glyde MR, Hosgood G, Dempsey AR, Wickham S. Kinetic gait analysis of agility dogs entering the A-frame. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2019;32:97-103.
• Appelgrein C, Glyde MR, Hosgood G, Dempsey AR, Wickham S. Reduction of the A-frame angle of incline does not change the maximum carpal joint extension angle in agility dogs entering the A-frame. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2018;31:77-82.
• Cullen KL, Dickey JP, Brown SH, Nykamp SG, Bent LR, Thomason JJ, Moens NM. The magnitude of muscular activation of four canine forelimb muscles in dogs performing two agility-specific tasks. BMC Vet Res. 2017;13:68.
• Radin L, Belic M, Brkljaca BN, Hrastic H, Torti M, Vucetic V, Stanin D, Vrbanac Z. Heart rate deflection point during incremental test in competitive agility border collies. Vet Res Commun. 2015;39:137-142.
• Birch E, Boyd J, Doyle G, Pullen A. The effects of altered distances between obstacles on the jump kinematics and apparent joint angulations of large agility dogs. Vet J. 2015;204:174-178.
• Wakshlag J, Shmalberg J. Nutrition for working and service dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2014;44:719-740.
• Siniscalchi M, Bertino D, Quaranta A. Laterality and performance of agility-trained dogs. Laterality. 2014;19:219-234.
• Birch E, Lesniak K. Effect of fence height on joint angles of agility dogs. Vet J. 2013;198 Suppl 1:e99-e102.
• Baltzer WI, Firshman AM, Stang B, Warnock JJ, Gorman E, McKenzie EC. The effect of agility exercise on eicosanoid excretion, oxidant status, and plasma lactate in dogs. BMC Vet Res. 2012;28:249.
• Pfau T, Garland de Rivaz A, Brighton S, Weller R. Kinetics of jump landing in agility dogs. Vet J. 2011;190:278-283.
• Rovira S, Munoz A, Benito M. Hematologic and biochemical changes during canine agility competitions. Vet Clin Pathol. 2007;36:30-35.
• Rovira S, Munoz A, Benito M. Fluid and electrolyte shifts during and after agility competitions in dogs. J Vet Med Sci. 2007;69:31-35.

Behavior, Training, and the Human-Animal Bond

• Essner A, Hesbach AL, Igelstrom H, Kjellerstedt C, Svensson K, Westerlind H. Physical activity and sport-specific training patterns in Swedish sporting and working trial dogs – A questionnaire survey. Frontiers Vet Sci. 2022;9:976000. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.976000.
• Kogan LR, Bussolari C, Currin-McCullock J, Packman W, Erdman P. Disenfranchised guilt – pet owner’s burden. Animals. 2022;12:1690. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131690.
• Inkila L, Hyytiainen HK, Hielm-Bjorkman A, Junnila J, Bergh A, Bostrom A. Part I of Finnish agility dog survey: Training and management of competition-level agility dogs. Animals. 2022;12:212. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020212.
• Casey RA, Naj-Oleari M, Campbell S, Mendl M, Blackwell EJ. Dogs are more pessimistic if their owners use two or more aversive training methods. Sci Rep. 2021;11:19023.
• Karvinen KH, Rhodes RE. Association between participation in dog agility and physical activity of dog owners. Anthrozoos. 2021;34:217-231.
• Dodd T, Jones J, Holaskova I, Mukherjee M. Behavioral problems may be associated with multilevel lumbosacral stenosis in military working dogs. J Vet Behav. 2020:35:8-13.
• Carpenter AM, Guy JH, Leach MC. Influence of the competition context on arousal in agility dogs. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2020;23:410-423.
• Carballo F, Cavalli CM, Gacsi M, Miklosi A, Kubinyi E. Assistance and therapy dogs are better problem solvers than both trained and untrained family dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2020;31:164.
• Sundman AS, Poucke EV, Svensson Holm AC, Faresjo A, Theodorsson E, Jensen P, Roth LSV. Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners. Sci Rep. 2019;9:7391.
• Robbins PJ, Ramos MT, Zanghi BM, Otto CM. Environmental and physiological factors associated with stamina in dogs exercising in high ambient temperatures. Front Vet Sci. 2017;4:144.
• Dinallo GK, Poplarski JA, Van Deventer GM, Eirmann LA, Wakshlag JJ. A survey of feeding, activity, supplement use and energy consumption in North American agility dogs. J Nutr Sci. 2017;6:e45.
• Mongillo P, Pitteri E, Marinelli L. Sustained attention to the owner is enhanced in dogs trained for animal assisted interventions. Behav Processes. 2017;140:69-73.
• Farrell JM, Hope AE, Hulstein R, Spaulding SJ. Dog-sport competitors: what motivates people to participate with their dogs in sporting events? Anthrozoos. 2015;28:61-71.
• Buttner AP, Thompson B, Strasser R, Santo J. Evidence for a synchronization of hormonal states between humans and dogs during competition. Physiol Behav. 2015;147:54-62.
• Kroger E, Slettebo A, Fossum M. Agility activities for children in a municipality in Norway. J Community Health Nurs. 2015;32:53-67.
• Hultsman WZ. Couple involvement in serious leisure: examining participation in dog agility. Leisure Studies. 2012;31:231-253.
• Helton WS. Does perceived trainability of dog (Canis lupus familiaris) breeds reflect differences in learning or differences in physical ability? Behav Processes. 2010;83:315-323.
• Niewiadomska M, Radziejewska M, Horodnicka-Jozwa A, Petriczko E. [Agility in treatment of children with type 1 diabetes – pilot study]. Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2010;16:89-93.
• Marshall-Pescini S, Passalacqua C, Barnard S, Valsecchi P, Prato-Previde E. Agility and search and rescue training differently affects pet dogs’ behaviour in socio-cognitive tasks. Behav Processes. 2009;81:416-422.
• Kubinyi E, Turcsan B, Miklosi A. Dog and owner demographic characteristics and dog personality trait associations. Behav Processes. 2009;81:392-401.
• Gacsi M, Kara E, Belenyi B, Topal J, Miklosi A. The effect of development and individual differences in pointing comprehension of dogs. Anim Cogn. 2009;12:471-479.
• Mehta PH, Jones AC, Josephs RA. The social endocrinology of dominance: basal testosterone predicts cortisol changes and behavior following victory and defeat. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008;94:1078-1093.
• Helton WS. Skill in expert dogs. J Exp Psychol Appl. 2007;13:171-178.
• Helton WS. Deliberate practice in dogs: A canine model of expertise. J Gen Psychol. 2007;134:247-257.
• Jones AC, Josephs RA. Interspecies hormonal interactions between man and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Horm Behav. 2006;50:393-400.