Docked tails: I want to ask my new picking-up team about their dogs' docked tails.
Health
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…
What food is best for my gundog puppy?
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.
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,…
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 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…
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…
My dog is a picky eater – any ideas for a cure?
I have three gundogs who I have had to separate at feeding times due to fighting.
Does your Labrador have this disgusting habit?
Eating other dogs’ faeces is an antisocial habit we ask Paul Rawlings how to prevent it
Neutering young dogs can be damaging
Veterinary surgeons are not renowned for always agreeing with each other, so I was pleased to hear from gundog enthusiast and vet Roger Bannock in response to my recent article on neutering dogs. He wrote: “I agree with most of the points. Nowadays all graduates are brainwashed into thinking early…
Is my dog going blind?
I'm worried for my gundog's health! I have an elderly, but fit, Labrador and I am concerned that he may be going blind.