There are hundreds of gundogs out there in need of a good home. So instead of buying a pedigree puppy, why not investigate getting a rescue dog? If you haven’t had a puppy before or haven’t had one for perhaps 12 or 13 years it’s easy to forget how active…
Gundogs
Do springer spaniels get bored?
There’s one thing I’ve learned about springer spaniels in nearly 40 years of owning and working the breed: there’s no dog that loves to hunt more than a springer. And as anyone who has owned or shot over one will confirm, they are born optimists, happy to work a piece…
Win a copy of “The Cocker Spaniel” by Janet Menzies
The cocker spaniel is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the UK today. Bred for stamina, intelligence and drive, they make lively, loving pets. If trained properly they are extremely adaptable gundogs. Some first-time owners can find them a challenging breed, but get the training right and…
Dog theft is on the rise – here’s how to prevent it happening to you
So how can you keep your gundog safe and prevent dog theft? Here's some advice from Mike Jackson, rural crime officer for Wiltshire Police
Can you train a gundog inside?
We are living in unprecedented times. The situation with COVID-19, and the resultant social distancing and isolation, is stressful for the vast majority of us. But how is it affecting our canine friends? Some may actually be enjoying having their owners around all the time, particularly if they are used…
How to teach reliable gundog recall
Teaching reliable dog recall is one of the basics of gundog training in the early days. Here's how to do it.
How to treat your dog’s pollen allergies
With the warm weather upon us, Dr Neil McIntosh reveals how to treat your dog's pollen allergies
Should healthy dog breeds be cheaper to insure?
Dog insurance might be much simpler if healthy dog breeds attracted lower premiums, much as happens with the difference between insuring a Porsche and a Volkswagen Polo. Healthy dog breeds could be categorised as group one, whilst those attracting higher vet bills would be be, say, group 50. This thought…
Gundog training you can carry out in your garden (or even inside)
Here’s a list of basic gundog and puppy training exercises that you can practise whilst you’re social distancing or self-isolating at home. You don’t need a big area either. Just patience. Getting a puppy used to a lead Place a slip lead around the puppy’s neck, pushing the stop up…
Which is the UK’s most popular gundog breed? And which breeds are in decline?
The Labrador is again the most popular gundog breed, having regained its number one slot in 2019. The Frenchie reigned at the top of Britain’s pedigree league table for just a year. In 2018, 36,785 French bulldog puppies were registered with the Kennel Club (KC), but last year that had…
Can a working gundog also be a family pet?
Am I taking a risk having my working labrador as a house dog?
When it comes to the crunch
Working dog nutrition is a complex topic. There are many food varieties for a working dog diet out there and all sorts of choices an owner can make for their working dog. When you look into it in depth, even for those embedded in the gundog world, it really is…
What should you expect with a sprocker puppy?
Should you get a sprocker puppy? Q: I am intending to get a gundog puppy this spring that I can train to accompany me shooting. Having done some homework and looked at various breeds, I had decided on either a cocker or springer spaniel, but I am a little concerned…
What diseases could my dog pick up from foxes?
Disease from foxes All dogs, including gundogs can get the following disease from foxes: Sarcoptic mange Lungworm Rabies Dogs and foxes do suffer from the same diseases, though, of which the most worrying is rabies. We have been rabies-free in Britain for 98 years — since quarantine for dogs was…
Should we neuter dogs? When is the best time and what are the health implications?
We take neutering of dogs for granted. But should we? When to neuter your dog – and the behavioral risks Pre-pubertal neuter — under six months: Infant brain — needy and underconfident especially if neutered during one of the developmental fear periods. Difficult to train as low concentration span. Can…
How should I start training my puppy to be a gundog?
Take things slowly, don't rush and form a bond with your new gundog puppy before starting any training
A useful guide to gundog vocabulary
If you’re relatively new to the gundog world (or maybe even something of an old hand) there may well be abbreviations and gundog commands that aren’t very familiar. After all, there are different gundog commands for the different gundog breeds, which confuses things further. To help, we’ve compiled the list…
What really happens to stolen gundogs?
The social media post has become all too familiar: a picture of a dog, an appeal, a phone number, the details of the crime. The comments, too, are depressingly recognisable — promises to share, pictures of similar-looking dogs found online, condolences. Gundog theft has become part of the way of…
Why you shouldn’t let your dog drink from puddles
Q: I have often found my dog drinking from puddles. Is this source of water for dogs safe? Are there any risks and should I prevent her from doing this? A: Rainwater itself is relatively clean, but when it forms puddles it can be contaminated by dirt, leaves, animal droppings,…
Why raw chicken wings are perfect for dogs
Raw chicken wings for dogs are ideal It’s often claimed that chicken bones are brittle, liable to splinter and are thus dangerous for a dog to eat. That’s certainly true of cooked chicken bones, but raw chicken bones are rubbery and make ideal food for a dog whose digestive system…