Recent surveys have shown that 4% of pet owners whose dogs were insured had had an accident or near miss as a result of the animal being loose in their…
Tony Buckwell
Why you should never ignore a dog’s broken tooth
A vet explains why one reader was charged £150 to have his dog's molar removed
Six rules for caring for your gundog after a shoot day
Tony looks at ways of keeping a hard-working gun dog happy during the season.
Feeding dogs: before or after exercise?
Feeding dogs – before or after exercise? So should you feed your dog before or after a walk? There is no scientifically established “safe” time for feeding dogs, but in…
How to make a dog vomit in an emergency
Most wild mushrooms aren't poisonous to dogs, but there are some symptoms of poisoning that you should watch out for
Spaying an older dog. Should you?
Q: What is your advice on spaying an older dog? I am unsure of what to do. I have an eight-year-old bitch I was a bit concerned about because she…
Sleeping dogs, their positions and what they may be dreaming about
Q: Our dog has started to sleep on his back. Is there any obvious reason for him to do so and should we be concerned? A: Dogs are likely to…
Spaniel ears – what a new owner needs to know
Q: I’ve acquired a spaniel, a breed I believe that is prone to ear infection. Should I clean his ears regularly or how else can I best prevent problems with…
Are blue merle dogs prone to health problems?
Q: Is it true that blue merle dogs have health problems? I was told this after acquiring a blue merle collie from a dog rescue centre but as far as…
The dangers of choke collars and how they can cause injury
What is a choke collar? A collar made of metal links designed to control the dog by tightening around the dog’s neck Some people use them as a dog training…
Hearing loss in dogs
Have you ever heard of a gundog going deaf because of the noise of gun shots?
What can I do about the scratches on my spaniel’s face?
Q: One of my spaniels has so many cuts around her eyes and over her muzzle from having to retrieve birds from deep cover that it doesn’t take much to…
Why ‘play-training’ is crucial for gundog puppies
Tony reveals how 'play time' is an essential part of a gun dog's training.
What to do if your dog gets a nasty rat or squirrel bite
Rats are known to spread disease so what should you do when your dog gets bitten by a rat? A reader is concerned. Q: There are a few rats around…
Is it safe to give your dog raw bones to chew?
Is it safe to give my dog raw bones to chew? This is one of those subjects where opinions differ. Some dogs will chew bones their whole lives and never…
Puppies and umbelical hernias – what you need to know
Umbilical hernia on puppy Q: My puppy bitch has an umbilical hernia that the vet intended to repair when she was spayed after her first season. However, we are having…
What should I do about my dog’s dewclaws?
Dogs and dewclaws Q: My dog still has his dewclaws, but I’ve been told that these are usually removed soon after birth. Is it too late to have them removed…
Are dog coats really necessary?
Have you got any experience of neoprene coats for gundog training? Do they work?
All about puppies and their teeth
Q: Why are puppy teeth so sharp? A: Puppies are born without teeth but then develop two sets. A temporary, deciduous set of puppy teeth erupt around three to four…
How to help an older dog suffering from deafness
Q: Our old gundog is starting to become deaf, probably due to his age. Is there anything to help hearing loss in older dogs? A: Certainly the most common form of…