Running track length affects repeatability of sprint test results in working dogs

To assess whether running-track length (25 or 40 m) impacted the repeatability of results across runs using the Penn Vet Working Dog Center sprint test. While the 25-m track is standard, the impact of a longer track remains unknown. Determining whether a longer track improves repeatability is crucial for ensuring accurate performance assessments and optimizing protocols.

A counterbalanced crossover design compared within-subject variability between the 2 course distances (25 and 40 m). Seventeen working dogs in training participated in the study. Dogs were a minimum of 8 months old. Exclusion criteria were any canine illness or injury, adverse health events on test days, or a history of heat injury. The study took place from November 28 through December 15, 2023, in a temperature-controlled indoor space, with data collected 2 days/wk for 3 weeks.

Inter-run reliability within dogs was moderate for the 25-m track (0.67; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.79) and good for the 40-m track (0.82; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.91). Dogs reached the 25-m line significantly faster when it was the interim point within the 40-m track compared to when it was the finish line.

These results corroborate previous findings that the test produces repeatable results in healthy dogs, with the novel finding that the repeatability of results is improved when the track length is 40 m.

By using this test longitudinally, veterinarians, handlers, and trainers can make data-driven decisions about a dog's readiness for sport or work, helping to prevent overtraining or injury.