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…
Gundogs
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…
My Labrador won’t walk at heel properly – what’s wrong?
I’m training a seven-month-old gundog and I cannot make him walk to heel without constantly pulling on the lead. Can you suggest anything?
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…
Dog theft is on the rise – here’s how to prevent it happening to you
Janes Hayes, of the charity Doglost, offers her views on ways to secure your dogs from thieves
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.…
What happens when you bring a sprocker puppy home for the first time
It is 12 years since my springer Rowan was a puppy but as she was home-bred she had her mother for company, who not only provides companionship but also discipline. My previous two springers were also home-bred, so it has been many years since a young puppy, recently separated from…
Why aren’t golden retrievers more popular in the field?
One of the mysteries of the gundog world is why golden retrievers are a comparative rarity in the shooting field, especially compared with the ubiquitous Labrador. Fashion probably has a great deal to do with this, because a well-trained golden is every bit a match for even the best of Labradors. Golden retrievers – relaxed, easy to…
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…
Would a silver Labrador be right for you?
What exactly is the right colour? The Kennel Club’s breed standard states that “any shade of gold or cream” is acceptable for golden retrievers, while the American KC requires “rich, lustrous gold of various shades”. Colour is a contentious issue in many breeds. However, when it comes to controversial coat…
Raw food for dogs – a good or bad idea?
A reader asks if it's ok to feed their Labrador raw tripe every day or if they should mix it up
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.
Spaying an older dog. Should you?
Q: I took my eight-and-a-half-year-old bitch to the vet because she was being a bit slow with her food. It transpired that she was having a phantom pregnancy. The vet advised that I have her neutered, but I am wary of this because of her age. What do you think?…
Most dog attacks are by Labradors. Seriously?
I have just been alerted to a story in The Times that the breed of dog blamed for the most dog attack claims in the UK is the Labrador. This doesn’t surprise me at all, despite the fact that almost all the Labradors I have met have been big softies,…
Do Labradors really originate from Newfoundland?
Q: I read that Labradors originated from dogs used by fishermen in North America and were used for helping to retrieve nets from the sea and estuaries in their country of origin. Interestingly my own dog, since it was a small puppy, has always retrieved dummies from water by grabbing…