Dynamics Analysis of Ground Contact Pressure of English Pointer Dogs

Abstract. In this study force sensing resistors were used to determine the pressure on the central area of each of the weight bearing pads of the fore and hind paws of dogs at the walk. Six adult normal healthy English Pointer dogs were used in this project. Pressure data were collected by affixing a force sensing resistor to the central area of the ground contact surface of each weight bearing paw pad of the right fore and hind limbs. Pressure signal data from stance phase during walking were analyzed. Within paw pads, the pressure graphs were consistent in form and magnitude. Within paws, there were significant pressure differences among pads on both fore and hind limbs. The coefficient of restitution, the embedding dimension, and the Lyapunov exponents were calculated. The ability to measure and analyze pressure on individual paw pads provides insight into soft tissue stresses on the palmar/plantar surface of the paw. Pressure at a wound site on the pads has a detrimental effect on wound healing and a better understanding these stresses will be of benefit when suturing and bandaging pad wounds. Such information is especially important in athletic and working dogs, e.g. search and rescue dogs