The practicalities of measurement and interpretation of field metabolic rate in dogs.

The article cites the practicalities of measuring and interpreting field metabolic rate in dogs. Separation of energy expenditure of a dog for work from its daily energy expenditure when not working is considered necessary for the measurements of field metabolic rate using the doubly-labeled water technique to be correctly interpreted and used to determine energy requirements of working dogs. Total energy expenditure can be separated into components for maintenance, standing and other activities. Time- or energy-budget analysis is also said to be necessary to estimate average daily energy expenditure.