All Outputs (62)

Mongrels 'smarter than their pedigree chums'. (2008)
Newspaper / Magazine
Smith, D. (2008). Mongrels 'smarter than their pedigree chums'. [The Telegraph]

Mongrels are cleverer than pedigree dogs, according to research.


A study by Dr David Smith of Aberdeen University's department of animal sciences shows that crossbred dogs have better spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities than pedigree... Read More about Mongrels 'smarter than their pedigree chums'..

Why a mongrel will always trump the pedigree chump (2008)
Journal Article
Smith, D. (2008). Why a mongrel will always trump the pedigree chump. The Mail,

With a pedigree as long as his tail, you might expect the pure-bred pooch to trounce his mongrel cousin in an IQ test.

But it seems that all that breeding may be for nothing. For when it comes to intelligence, scientists say the crossbreed wins, p... Read More about Why a mongrel will always trump the pedigree chump.

Validating the alkane pair technique to estimate dry matter intake in equids. (2007)
Journal Article
Smith, D., Mayes, R. W., Hollands, T., Cuddeford, D., Yule, H. H., Ladrero, C. M. M., & Gillen, E. (2007). Validating the alkane pair technique to estimate dry matter intake in equids. Journal of Agricultural Science, 145, 273-281. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859607006788

The estimation of dry matter intake (DMI) using the alkane pair technique has been validated in ruminants, but not in equids. The current paper reports the finding of three comparative validation studies carried out using a total of 12 cattle, 29 don... Read More about Validating the alkane pair technique to estimate dry matter intake in equids..

Use of n-alkanes for estimation of voluntary intake and digestibility in donkeys (Equus asinus) (2007)
Journal Article
Castelǭn-Ortega, O. A., Estrada-Flores, J. G., Smith, D., Colunga, G. B., Solis_Mendezl, A., Aviles_Nova, F., …Garcial, I. (2007). Use of n-alkanes for estimation of voluntary intake and digestibility in donkeys (Equus asinus). Journal of animal and feed sciences, 16, 307-312

The aim of this work was to evaluate if the n-alkanes (C32) technique can be used to determine voluntary dry matter intake (DMI) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) in grazing donkeys. Two experiments were carried out; in trial 1 DMI and DMD were meas... Read More about Use of n-alkanes for estimation of voluntary intake and digestibility in donkeys (Equus asinus).

The effect of pasture restriction on dry matter intake by foraging donkeys in the UK. (2007)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Wood, S. J., Smith, D., Muir, C. J., Oliver, J., & Cuddeford, D. (2006). The effect of pasture restriction on dry matter intake by foraging donkeys in the UK. In R. A. Pearson, C. J. Muir, & M. Farrow (Eds.),

Measuring daily food intake of foraging animals is essential if accurate feeding rations are to be implemented. The alkane technique, which has recently been validated in equines, now provides the opportunity to measure intake at pasture. The aims of... Read More about The effect of pasture restriction on dry matter intake by foraging donkeys in the UK..

Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK. (2007)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Wood, S. J., Smith, D., Muir, C. J., & Cuddeford, D. (2007). Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK. In R. A. Pearson, C. J. Muir, & M. Farrow (Eds.),

At present there are no published feeding guidelines specific to donkeys. Current recommendations are to feed 0.75 of horse energy needs on a body weight basis. However, it has been shown that donkeys have a greater digestive efficiency than horses a... Read More about Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK..

The dry matter intake of grazing horses. (2007)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, D., Cuddeford, D., Mayes, R., & Hollands, T. (2006). The dry matter intake of grazing horses

Book review - Reptilian Incubation. Environment, Evolution and Behaviour (2006)
Journal Article
Smith, D. (2006). Book review - Reptilian Incubation. Environment, Evolution and Behaviour. Biologist, 53, 151

Both professional and amateur herpetologists will find Reptile Incubation: Environment, Evolution and Behaviour a fascinating read. The book provides detailed academic discussions of a broad range of topics in an engaging readable style. Deeming an... Read More about Book review - Reptilian Incubation. Environment, Evolution and Behaviour.

Book review - "Nutritional physiology of the horse" - Ellis, Andrea D., HIll, Julian (2006)
Journal Article
Smith, D. (2006). Book review - "Nutritional physiology of the horse" - Ellis, Andrea D., HIll, Julian. Biologist, 53, 202

There has been a considerable advance in our knowledge of equine nutritional physiology over the past two decades, as techniques originally developed for ruminant research have been systematically applied to horses. “Nutritional physiology of the ho... Read More about Book review - "Nutritional physiology of the horse" - Ellis, Andrea D., HIll, Julian.

Episode 30 - Dog intelligence. (2006)
Digital Artefact
Smith, D. (2006). Episode 30 - Dog intelligence

Are you a fan of pedigrees or do you prefer crossbreeds? Opinions on this area can be very heartfelt, and the issue is clouded in myth. Which is more intelligent though, a pure pedigree or a mixed up mutt?

At Aberdeen University in Scotland, Dr D... Read More about Episode 30 - Dog intelligence..

Uni takes lead in dog IQ testing. (2006)
Digital Artefact
Smith, D. (2006). Uni takes lead in dog IQ testing. [BBC News channel]

Scottish scientists are trying to prove intelligence is not just down to good breeding - at least for dogs.
Aberdeen University is running IQ tests on pedigree and crossbreeds to see which ones are smarter.

Researchers hope the tests, mostly in... Read More about Uni takes lead in dog IQ testing..

Key ingredients in the integration of crop and livestock systems of Africa. (2005)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, D. (2005). Key ingredients in the integration of crop and livestock systems of Africa

Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK. (2005)
Journal Article
Wood, S. J., Smith, D., & Morris, C. J. (2005). Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK. Pferdeheilkunde, 21, 39-40

This study was conducted between May 2003 and July 2004 at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK. Two recording periods took place; the first between June and August 2003 and the second between December 2003 and February 2004. Twenty donkeys (10... Read More about Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK..

The impact of access to animal health services on donkey health and livelihoods in Ethiopia. (2005)
Journal Article
Curran, M. M., Feseha, G., & Smith, D. (2004). The impact of access to animal health services on donkey health and livelihoods in Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37, (47-65). ISSN 0049-4747

This study was carried out to assess the impact of animal healthcare services on poor donkey owners in Ethiopia. The services provided by the Donkey Sanctuary were used as a case study. A questionnaire survey was designed and carried out in the areas... Read More about The impact of access to animal health services on donkey health and livelihoods in Ethiopia..

The impact of donkey ownership on the livelihoods of female peri-urban dwellers in Ethiopia. (2005)
Journal Article
Curran, M. M., & Smith, D. (2004). The impact of donkey ownership on the livelihoods of female peri-urban dwellers in Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37, (67-86). ISSN 0049-4747

This paper is based on an impact assessment of a donkey provision programme in Ethiopia. The work was carried out in 2001 as part of a DFID Livestock Production Programme project 'Use and management of donkeys by poor societies in peri-urban areas in... Read More about The impact of donkey ownership on the livelihoods of female peri-urban dwellers in Ethiopia..

Digestible Energy Requirements of Mexican Donkeys Fed Oat Straw and Maize Stover (2005)
Journal Article
Carretero-Roque, L., Colunga, G. B., Smith, D., Gonzǭlez-Ronquillo, M., Sol, A., & Castelǭn-Ortega, O. A. (2005). Digestible Energy Requirements of Mexican Donkeys Fed Oat Straw and Maize Stover. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37(S1), 123-142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-9012-3

The limited availability of food, together with the constraints that traditional management systems impose on the natural foraging behaviour of donkeys, often results in severe under-nutrition. Few studies have been conducted into the digestibility o... Read More about Digestible Energy Requirements of Mexican Donkeys Fed Oat Straw and Maize Stover.

Seasonal Variation in the Parasite Burden and Body Condition of Working Donkeys in East Shewa and West Shewa Regions of Ethiopia (2005)
Journal Article
Yoseph, S., Smith, D., Mengistu, A., Teklu, F., Firew, T., & Betere, Y. (2005). Seasonal Variation in the Parasite Burden and Body Condition of Working Donkeys in East Shewa and West Shewa Regions of Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37(S1), 35-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-9004-3

A survey of donkeys arriving at markets in three localities in East and West Shewa regions of central Ethiopia was carried out during 2002. Total faecal worm egg counts and body condition scores were measured for a total of 963 donkeys over a 12-mont... Read More about Seasonal Variation in the Parasite Burden and Body Condition of Working Donkeys in East Shewa and West Shewa Regions of Ethiopia.

A Review of the Factors Affecting the Survival of Donkeys in Semi-arid Regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (2005)
Journal Article
Smith, D., & Pearson, R. A. (2005). A Review of the Factors Affecting the Survival of Donkeys in Semi-arid Regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37(S1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-9002-5

The large fluctuations seen in cattle populations during periods of drought in sub-Saharan Africa are not evident in the donkey population. Donkeys appear to have a survival advantage over cattle that is increasingly recognized by smallholder farmers... Read More about A Review of the Factors Affecting the Survival of Donkeys in Semi-arid Regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Participatory Study on Feeding Strategies for Working Donkeys Used by Campesino Farmers in the Highlands of Central México (2005)
Journal Article
Colunga, G. B., Arriaga-Jordǭn, C. M., Velǭquez Beltran, L., Gonzǭlez-Ronquillo, M., Smith, D., Estrada-Flores, J., Rayas-Amor, A., & Castelǭn-Ortega, O. A. (2005). Participatory Study on Feeding Strategies for Working Donkeys Used by Campesino Farmers in the Highlands of Central México. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37(S1), 143-157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-9013-2

The aim of this work was to describe the feeding strategies for donkeys used by peasant farmers in central MǸxico. Feeding strategies for the dry and wet seasons are described, as well as the nutritional characteristics of the main forages and supple... Read More about Participatory Study on Feeding Strategies for Working Donkeys Used by Campesino Farmers in the Highlands of Central México.

The effect of providing feed supplementation and anthelmintic to donkeys during late pregnancy and lactation on live weight and survival of dams and their foals in Central Ethiopia (2005)
Journal Article
Mengistu, A., Smith, D., Yoseph, S., Nega, T., Zewdie, W., Kassahun, W. G., Taye, B., & Firew, T. (2005). The effect of providing feed supplementation and anthelmintic to donkeys during late pregnancy and lactation on live weight and survival of dams and their foals in Central Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 37(S1), 21-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-9003-4

Anthelmintic treatment (A), feed supplementation (F), anthelmintic and feed supplementation (A+F) or traditional management (Control) was given to 166 pregnant female donkeys in three localities (Holetta, Debre Zeit and Adami Tulu) in Ethiopia during... Read More about The effect of providing feed supplementation and anthelmintic to donkeys during late pregnancy and lactation on live weight and survival of dams and their foals in Central Ethiopia.