Energy Levels [GUEST POST]
Guest Writer: Alyssa Eaton (Member of the Pet Care Club)
If you are someone who has been around a lot of dogs in your lifetime, you’ve probably noticed a wide range of energy levels in all dogs, even ones of the same breed. There are many factors that play a role in how much energy a certain dog has which we will go over.
The Factors
The first is simply the dog’s personality. Two dogs of the same breed and age can have completely different energy levels just because of their nature. The next reason behind differences in energy is age. Puppies and young adult canines are notorious for having lots of energy and stamina. However, it is natural for this energy to decrease as dogs get older and more mature. How long this process takes depends on the canine’s health, amount of activity, and the breed of the dog.
Amount of activity?
The amount of activity a dog does can play a significant role in energy levels. Energetic canines need constant stimulation and channeled exercise with their owners to make them tired and to work their brains as much as possible. This along with a constant and healthy diet can create the most balanced lifestyle for your pet. Inconsistent diets can cause endocrine disorders and other issues that create hyperactivity and restlessness.
Spaying and Neutering
Some owners may make the decision to neuter or spay their dog, which changes hormone levels and can lead to a decrease in energy. This is because the majority of the time sex hormones create a lot of restless energy that the dog has no way to take out if the owner has no plans to breed them. Spaying and neutering greatly reduces hormone driven behavior like dominance aggression, territorial marking, roaming to find a mate, and the overall intensity in which a dog behaves.
Lastly…
The last major reason behind activity differences is the breed of the dog. Selective breeding has been used throughout history to “customize” dogs for specific tasks and jobs. Herding dogs such as Heelers, Australian Shepherds, Collies, and Sheepdogs instinctively look to herd other animals and people, so they have loads of energy and can be frustrated by the lack of herding in an owner’s lifestyle. Terrier breeds were bred to hunt and kill rodents, leading them to be feisty, hyper, and need an extremely active life. Other dogs that are known to have a large amount of energy are hunting breeds like Retrievers, Beagles, and Spaniels.
I hope this blog answered some of your questions on how much energy a dog will have! If you are looking to adopt a puppy or adult dog, make sure to factor their amount of energy into your decision :)
Citations:
[1] Boyer, Jake. “Will Spay Neuter Calm My Pet?” Spayxperts.com, www.spayxperts.com/blog/will-spay-neuter-calm-my-pet/.
[2] “Dog Energy Levels.” Cesar's Way, 22 Jan. 2021, www.cesarsway.com/how-to-figure-out-a-dogs-energy-level/.
[3] DVM, Kathryn Primm. “Ask A Vet: Why Are Some Dogs More Hyper Than Others?” IHeartDogs.com, 10 Feb. 2021, iheartdogs.com/ask-a-vet-why-are-some-dogs-more-hyper-than-others/.