This article originally appeared on Dr. Mahaney’s Pet-Lebrity News ^[1] column on Pet360.com as Inde the Diving Dog Seeks to Break World Record in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge ^[2].

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Have you been amazed by the physical feats of your own or somebody else’s canine companion? Dogs’ remarkable athletic prowess and their ability to perform always makes me appreciate their incredible, nature-given abilities.

I recently became aware of a Belgian Malinois name Inde who is soon participating in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge. Inde’s potential for greatness is remarkable considering she’s contending to break the Diving Dog World Record by jumping 33 feet 10 inches.

As a veterinarian, I’m always concerned for the health and welfare of my patients and the many dogs participating in the athletic realm as widely seen in the media. But, first, let’s learn more about an extraordinary pooch named Inde.

Inde’s full name is India du Loups du Soleil 

She was acquired from a breeder Michael Ellis at Loups Du Soleil Working Malinois 

She just turned 3 years old, although she was 2 years of age at the time of the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals 

She is unspayed 

She had no health issues related to her athletic performances (and hopefully won’t have any).

This year Inde and her owners plan to complete in the following organizations to try to qualify for their National and/or World Events, including the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge, Splash Dogs, Super Retriever Series, Dock Dogs, Ultimate Air Dogs, North American Diving Dogs, and X-Treme Air Dogs.

Health Concerns

According to Inde’s owner, Michon Mills – “She is truly a blessing to me and I am so very grateful to have her in my life.”

Now, let’s get back to the health concerns affecting Inde and other pooches competing in the Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge. Dogs that engage in a performance activities like sprinting and jumping remarkable lengths into bodies of water or other comparable activities (agility, earth dog, etc.) are more prone to suffering from trauma. There are injuries could results from day-to-day wear and tear or more significant injury can occur when a dog is doing the activities she loves and feels borne to do.

This is why its vitally important that owners of dogs competing in athletic trials work with their veterinarian on an ongoing basis so that a physical exam is performed at least every six months.

Additionally, the increased stress put on the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, spinal column, and discs can increase the likelihood that arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems (disc rupture, nerve injury, etc.) can occur earlier in life. Therefore, providing a daily dose of a glucosamine/chondroitin joint support product (like ActivPhy ^[4], one of my faves due to the ingredients and research that backs its effectiveness), fish oil-based omega three fatty acid supplements (such as Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet ^[5], etc.), and other nutraceuticals (turmeri, etc.) can help reduce the risk of injury and potentially irreversible health problems.

Keeping a performance dog’s Body Condition Score (BCS, as per The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center ^[6]) very lean will also put less stress on all body systems and reduce the likelihood injury from competing or engaging in routine activities (walking outside to urinate or defecate, navigating the household our yard, etc.) will occur. After all, dogs that consume calorie-restricted diets live longer and are less prone to geriatric health concerns as compared to their canine companions not having led consumed fewer calories (see Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs ^[7]).

In the upcoming Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge, I’ll be pulling for Ande to break the world record and achieve a milestone not reached by any other dog.

Will you be watching the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge (on Saturday, January 17 from 3:00-4:00pm EST on NBC)?