Neutering dogs has become such routine practice that I’m sure many people don’t give it a second thought. Bitches always seem to come into season at the most inappropriate time, such as the middle of the shooting season, so unless you want to breed from them there is a strong…
Gundogs
Gluten-free diets for dogs – when are they necessary?
Q: I am thinking about buying a border terrier puppy from a local gamekeeper. My friend tells me I will have to avoid feeding it gluten. But gluten-free diets for dogs are a load of old tosh, right?” A: Your friend might be right. But he could be wrong. Border terriers…
Is it really possible to train a rescue springer as a gundog?
We all know that puppies aren’t easy, but if you want a working spaniel, taking on a puppy is probably your best option, as it is rare to find a trained spaniel for sale. But there is an alternative: adopt a rescue dog. A quick check on the internet will…
Gundogs and puppies that don’t like noise – what can you do about it
Scared gundog: Loud noises make for a scared gundog.
How to stop a dog worrying sheep
According to the National Sheep Association, there are more than 33million sheep in the UK, which means that every working gundog is certain to encounter a flock sooner rather than later. From a dog’s point of view, there are few animals that are more inviting to chase. Thoughts of sheep…
Can I teach an English pointer to sit at the peg?
Q: I have been involved in shooting all my life, but have only begun shooting in a syndicate since retiring and have no experience of having a dog sitting at the peg. I have always fancied having a pointer primarily as a house dog, but also to take out a…
Crate training your puppy – how to do it right
I have decided on crate training for my new gundog puppy Briar. When she whines to go out I will hear her. I will also find it easier to teach her how to behave around my toddler in the house because she will have plenty of access to him. Crate…
Why I won’t be bothering to go Crufts this weekend
Gundog day at Crufts 2018 is on the Sunday, the last and inevitably the most busy of the four-day event. This year’s show will host around 22,000 dogs and about 160,000 people will view them. To put that figure in perspective, last year’s Game Fair at Hatfield House drew 116,000.…
The Hungarian wirehaired vizsla – charming and hardworking
Hungarian wirehaired vizsla: The rise in popularity of the Hungarian wirehaired vizsla (HWV) is no accident.
Buying a puppy – what should I know?
What breed? Choosing the right breed of gundog puppy has to be the foremost consideration. You will have to not only decide what breed will suit your shooting requirements, but also your lifestyle. Remember, most gundogs will only work in the shooting field for three or four months of the…
BARF diet for dogs – the risks and benefits
Bones and raw food for dogs I’ve long been an advocate of feeding dogs as natural a diet as possible, which means raw food and vegetables. I was convinced by an interview I did 15 years ago with holistic vet Dr Nick Thompson. I feed a raw chicken wing for…
Leptospirosis in dogs – what you need to know
One of the most important reasons to control rats is the danger of leptospirosis. Also called Weil’s disease, leptospirosis is caused by bacteria spread via the urine of infected animals — usually rats. It is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be spread to humans, as well as dogs,…
Tips on keeping your dog’s teeth free from tartar
Dog tartar removal and prevention Dental disease in dogs is primarily caused by food particles and bacteria building up at the base of the teeth near the gum line, causing the formation of plaque. If this plaque is not removed, minerals in the dog’s saliva combine with the plaque to…
Dog or bitch? Which is easiest to train?
Q: I have been looking for a yellow Labrador bitch puppy for some time but I always seem to miss out on the bitches and there are only dogs left. This will be my first gundog and I was advised to get a bitch as they are easier to train.…
How to teach a spaniel puppy to retrieve
Spaniels have been bred for generations to hunt out game from stick piles, patches of bramble and thick bracken banks, and a well-bred puppy should be pre-programmed to get its nose down. However, if you do too much early hunt training with a young spaniel this can become the most…
Why is my dog so thirsty? Is she ill?
Excessive thirst (referred to as polydipsia or PD on veterinary case notes) is not in itself a diagnosis, but it may be indicative of disease. There are, of course, some “innocent causes”, such as hot weather, prolonged exercise, change to a dry diet or increased salt in diet. Sometimes, all…
Buying your first gundog – what you need to know
Q: “I’m about to embark on acquiring my first gundog and I would like some advice as to what breed to buy and whether to get a puppy or a part or even fully-trained dog. Also, I’m not sure whether to keep it indoors or outside in a kennel and…
Will the Welsh springer spaniel survive?
A chance encounter with a Welsh springer spaniel (WSS) on a shoot earlier this month reminded me what a handsome breed this is and what a shame it is that we do not see more out working. Welsh springer spaniel – a curious breed It is the most numerous of…
My Hungarian vizsla won’t hold a point. What can I do?
“I have a two-year-old Hungarian vizsla that I have been training for rough shooting and although she hunts really well she will not hold a point and will run in on the birds, which makes it difficult for me to take a safe shot. She is also sometimes reluctant to…
How to choose a puppy
Choosing a gundog puppy that’s right for you Once you have decided on the breed of gundog puppy you want, the colour and the sex, you should try to see both parents; perhaps you will have been lucky enough to see them in action in the shooting field or in field…