I'm 15 years old and about to buy a ten week old cocker spaniel bitch. At the moment it is being fed on Beta puppy food as I'm planning to work her when she’s older.
Health
What’ll it be like when my gundog has puppies?
I'm apprehensive about the big day and want to be prepared.
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,…
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…
Why you should never feed your dogs chocolate
I have always been told that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Is this really true because I have a friend who often uses choc drops to reward his dog and has never found them to be a problem? Toxic chocolate Chocolate is definitely poisonous to dogs and, in sufficient quantity,…
What can I do to protect my dog against Alabama rot?
Q: Is it true that Alabama rot is most prevalent in the autumn and winter? If that is the case, is there anything I can do to protect my dog? A: We refer to this disease as CRGV (idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy). It was first recognised in the…
Why does my dog drag its bottom?
Q: My dog drags its rear end along the ground frequently. I am told this is a sign that he needs his anal glands emptied by a vet. Why is this a recurring problem for him when other dogs don’t seem to suffer to the same extent? View this…
Stinging nettles are a menace to dogs
Have you any advice on how to protect my gundog's pads when working?
Why is my dog losing weight?
Gun dog health: My dog has always lost a lot of weight towards the middle of the shooting season.
Could my dog catch ear mites from another dog?
Q: My next-door neighbour’s dog has mites, which has led to an ear infection. We walk the dogs together each day and I was wondering if mine would be at risk? What are dog ear mites and are they catching? What dog owners need to know about ear mites Ear…
How do I keep my dogs warm in kennels in winter?
I have two labradors kenneled outside and want to sort out the best type of bedding for them for the coming winter.
Just how serious a threat is lungworm to dogs?
Q: How serious is lungworm and should I be routinely treating my dogs? An emerging disease A: Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) infection is what we call an “emerging” disease. Initially found mainly in the south of the UK, it is gradually becoming more common. How is lungworm transmitted? Lungworm is not…
How can I get a dog passport from the UK – and should I take my dog abroad anyway?
Q: “I am considering taking my dog abroad to Europe but confess to being slightly bewildered by all the rules and regulations. What is the simplest route to take to get a dog passport?” Emma Young, Northumberland Getting a dog passport A: It is nothing like as complicated as you may…
How can I protect my dogs from horsefly bites?
Q: I usually take my two Labradors with me when I tend to my horses and have noticed that there seem to be a lot of horseflies around this year, which can give a nasty bite. I generally spray myself with insect repellent to keep them away from me, but…
Should dogs drink ice-cold water?
Q: I have heard that I should not allow my dog to drink iced water in hot weather because it causes bloat. Can you tell me if this is true? If not, can I safely give my dog iced water? A: As far as I am aware there is no real…
What treatment can I give my constipated dog?
Q: My Labrador seems to get constipated; she gets into position to relieve herself but with no success. What can be done to relieve constipation? A: Constipation is a relatively common digestive disorder and most dogs can suffer from a bout at some point during their lives. Feeding a diet…
How to treat heatstroke in dogs
Dogs do not sweat like humans; they don’t have sweat glands, except for a few on the foot pads and on their noses. When they become warm dogs pant, exhaling overheated air, breathing in fresh, cool air and lowering their core body temperature. When a dog is confined to a…
Why does my Jack Russell hop, skip and jump?
There are two likely possibilities and I am afraid each might require a surgical intervention, which is not what you will want to hear. Luxating patella The patella, or kneecap, sits in the knuckle-like trochlear groove at the front of the thigh bone or femur. It has an important job.…
Should I have my springer spaniel puppy castrated?
Q: I have a nine-month-old male springer spaniel puppy that has recently started trying to mount bitches even though they are not in season. I have been told it might be best to have him castrated. What would you advise? A: Before deciding on puppy castration, it is important to…