Dam Welfare in Commercial Breeding Kennels
Short graphical summary of the Croney Research Group study on changes in physical and behavioral signs of dam welfare during pregnancy, lactation and weaning.
Dam welfare can affect the health and wellbeing of her puppies.
This study explored changes in physical and behavioral signs of dam welfare during pregnancy, lactation and weaning.
Methods
59 dams from 8 commercial breeding kennels
Tested 6 weeks and 1 week before giving birth, and 4 and 8 weeks after
Assessed for:
- Behavioral responses to a stranger approaching
- Physical health
- Stress hormones
- Parasites
Results
Dams were friendly and took more treats from strangers while nursing. These behaviors may have been influenced by normal physical changes during nursing.
Dams’ environment and relationships with caretakers changed around birth, which may have affected their behavior. They were housed alone at this time.
Long-term stress hormones increased between 4 and 8 weeks after giving birth
Some dams had parasites, but overall were in good health.
Research Takeaways
No major changes to dam welfare were observed.
Some changes, such as increased stress hormones, were likely due to natural changes that occur during pregnancy and nursing.
Future research should
- explore how environmental and management factors
- influence dam welfare during pregnancy and nursing.
Topic(s): Breeder Resource, Prenatal Stress, Puppy Development