Gundogs

Labradors in pickupHere’s just about everything you need to know about gundogs. This useful collection of information and advice covers field trial and working tests, gundog training and exercise, breeds and gundog health plus help with breeding and buying or selling your gundog.

If you’re looking for a companion in the field, browse through our section on different gundog breeds to help you decide.

History of dogs

You’ll also find interesting reading on the history of different breeds, for example the backgrounds of the Clumber spaniel, Vizsla and the difference between a Parson Russell and a Jack Russell. We’ve also written about the increasingly popular Sprocker.

Or if you have a query about gundog health – which could be something as simple as how often to feed your dog through to wondering whether gundogs get hypothermia, you’ll find the answer in our health section.

Our panel of veterinary experts have a wealth of experience to help you take the best care of your gundog, whatever the breed.

Roan springer spaniel

Can you prevent arthritis in dogs?

Q: Is there anything that can be done to delay or prevent the onset of arthritis in older dogs? Controlling your dog’s weight 
by feeding a healthy diet and keeping your dog fit by providing regular exercise are probably the most significant things you can do to prevent or delay…

Irish water spaniel

The Irish water spaniel

The joker in the spaniel pack. No, not my words, but those of an Irish water spaniel owner and enthusiast, talking about the foibles and idiosyncrasies of his favourite breed. The Irish water spaniel, he assured me, could lay claim to being the only HPR native to these islands. He…

vaccinating gundogs

Should you vaccinate your dog every year? Is it necessary?

Vaccinating gundogs If you read any 
of the old dog books, you will be reminded that distemper was once the most feared of canine illnesses. A highly contagious virus, it was commonly called hard pad because one of the most obvious symptoms was hardening of the pads. With 
no known…

dogs in snow

Keeping your dog safe in the snow

Dogs in snow Arguably the biggest problem with working a dog in snow is ice balling in the dog’s pads and, if it is a spaniel, its feathers. Ice balling depends on the type of snow and the air temperature, but it can be a real distraction to working dogs,…

Gundog pedigree certificate

What to look for in a gundog’s pedigree certificate

The breeder should provide the puppy’s pedigree before you make a commitment to buy. The pedigree is one of the things a serious breeder uses to plan a litter. An educated buyer looks at the pedigree when deciding whether to buy a puppy, and a responsible breeder will be proud to…

not the best water for dogs

Be careful of the water your dog drinks

Dogs need lots of water. There are records of dogs living for weeks without food, but if they are deprived of water their survival is limited to days. Quite how much an individual dog needs to drink every day depends on a number of factors, ranging from diet to the…

Labradors

Blowing the whistle on harsh dog handling

Earlier this year, the resignation of the honorary secretary of the Utility Gundog Society (UGS) Kent and East Sussex, Bernadette Restorick, not only caused ructions in the society, but also generated headline stories in The Times, the Daily Telegraph and Our Dogs. What Mrs Restorick had done was raise the…