These dogs can herd sheep, play ball, chase vermin to ground, follow horse-drawn carriages and horsemen, tromp upland fields and lowland meadows and swamps all day, or run like the wind at a moment s notice. Climatic conditions, disease, and nutritional level can influence metabolism. Dogs with metabolic imbalances such as hypothyroidism will be less active in all weather unless they are placed on medication to regulate the thyroid gland s output of hormones. Dogs fed diets with too few digestible nutrients or too much sugar will either suffer energy deprivation or will become obese. Labrador Retrievers are among the high-energy breeds that can easily gain weight unless they receive a balanced amount of food and exercise.
All animals glean energy from a diet of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
And every working dog hunting, herding, racing, mushing, training for agility trials, or practicing theft techniques on Mary s slippers or Mom s company roast needs an ample supply of all three nutrients to live up to his full potential. The trick is to channel the energy into appropriate activities. Although dogs were developed for particular purposes, creative owners can substitute alternative or simulated activities to keep a pet or show dog happy. Those who have access to sheep or ducks can hone a Border Collie s herding skills as a hobby and can participate in herding tests and trials for fun and titles. Type A personality with games, long walks, precision obedience training, agility training, and other pursuits or can join a herding club with access to stock on the farms and homesteads of other members.