From Wolf to Dog: Development of Postural Stability

Dogs have been selectively bred for centuries to perform specific tasks for humans. This has led to significant changes in their physical traits, especially when compared to their wild ancestors, the wolves. oday, veterinarians increasingly recognize that sports and working dogs require specialized care to prevent injuries, treat them, and maintain their mobility. Similar to human sports medicine, individualized programs are being developed to improve dogs` stability and balance. However, little is known about how these abilities develop in young dogs and how they change with age. Our goal is to better understand how breeding, growth, and aging affect the stability and balance of dogs. We aim to investigate how these abilities develop in different dog breeds and wolves across various life stages: as puppies, adult dogs, and seniors. The results will help identify and prevent injuries and orthopaedic conditions, such as hip problems, at an early stage. They will also support the development of tailored training and rehabilitation programs and improve the evaluation of therapeutic outcomes. To achieve this, we will study the movements and balance of wolves and dogs from various breeds. We will measure their movements and stability in different situations, such as walking, standing, standing on slopes, and standing blindfolded. These tests will be conducted at different ages: 4, 8, 12, and 24 months and older animals. Our research will provide the first insights into how balance and stability develop in dogs and wolves throughout their lives. This will help us better understand how breeding and living conditions impact the health of dogs. Additionally, it will shed light on how domestication has influenced the gait of dogs compared to wolves.