Which breed? First of all, you need to decide which gundog breed will suit your shooting needs and also your life. When choosing a gundog puppy breed remember that most gundogs are only out in the field for three or four months a year. So how are you going to…
Gundogs
Can a rescue make a top gundog?
Looking at rescue gundogs When clients approach me about getting a working dog, I have to admit that looking at rescue gundogs is not the first thing I’d suggest. But perhaps this has been a bit short-sighted of me. The vast majority of working dog owners do not wish to…
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…
Dealing with food allergies in gundogs
Q: My three-year-old red Labrador bitch is pretty much itchy all the time. I am considering trying a low allergy diet. Is this worthwhile? How can you deal with food allergies in gundogs? A:If your Labrador is permanently itchy (as opposed to the sort of seasonal itch that you might…
French gundogs – why don’t we see more of them here?
Some French gundogs L’épagneul Breton, the Brittany L’épagneul Français (French spaniel) Barbet Braque d’Auvergne L’épagneul de Pont-Audemer Braque de Bourbonnais Braque Français Why French shooting is different The French are every bit as passionate about fieldsports as we are, possibly even more so, but when it comes to shooting they…
Training your young gundog – from dummies to game
Most, if not all, of your early gundog training will be using tennis or fur balls and canvas dummies. But at some point you will have to give your young dog the opportunity to pick cold game. This can be fur or feather but, whatever you decide to use, make…
16 things you need to know before buying a gundog puppy
What are the upfront costs of owning a gundog puppy? What are the running costs (so to speak) and what hidden costs should you allow for. It’s impossible to assess these accurately because owning a dog always comes with an element of surprise. But one rule you should definitely stick…
Training gundogs during COVID
It might seem like I have plenty of time to plan, lots of equipment and endless ground to train on. While I am lucky to have access to more ground, and I do own dummy-launchers, remote launchers, remote ball-droppers and most shape dummies, I have limited time. Much of my…
How to spot the difference between a Jack Russell terrier and a Parson Russell
The most striking difference between a Jack Russell terrier and a Parson Russell terrier is their size. Jack Russells are slightly smaller. The breed should measure 10-15″ on their shoulders (withers) whereas a Parson Russell is taller at 12-14″ on the withers. The Parson Russell also generally has a squarer…
How to choose a kennel set-up for your gundog
Outside kennels for gundogs Q: I am about to buy a new outside kennel set-up for my two cocker spaniels. Some systems that I have looked at have a kennel at the end of the run that is tall enough for me to walk into. The dogs would have access…
What size is the perfect gundog?
OK, I admit it. I have always been a fan of big, old-fashioned springers, chunky cockers and Labradors with substance, but I’m beginning to think that gundog size doesn’t really matter after all. When it comes to performance, small dogs can perform as well as, and sometimes better than, bigger,…
Is it safe to give your dog raw bones to chew?
Is it safe to give my dog raw bones to chew? This is one of those subjects where opinions differ. Some dogs will chew bones their whole lives and never experience a problem. Others will require emergency surgery after being given only one bone. The complications of giving a dog…
How important is the colour of a gundog’s coat?
As we all know, sound working-bred spaniel puppies are in high demand at the moment, so I was delighted to be able to tip off a friend about a litter I had heard about. She arranged to see them and I was sure she would end up buying one. I…
Choosing a stud dog
Which are the most important qualities to look for when selecting your stud dog?
Guard dogs to guard gundogs
Dog theft is a hot topic at the moment; in particular of gundogs. They are stolen from cars, kennels, houses and gardens. One of the issues is the money these dogs are worth to potential thieves. Another big issue is that the breeds most commonly used as gundogs are inherently…
What to look for in a gundog’s pedigree certificate
A reputable gundog breeder should provide the gundog puppy’s pedigree before you make a commitment to buy. This is because the dog’s pedigree is one of the things a professional breeder uses when planning a litter. A wise and well informed gundog buyer will look at the pedigree when deciding…
How can we breed the perfect Labrador?
The Labrador retriever was first recognised by the Kennel Club as a breed in 1903. It was originally known as the St John’s dog or lesser Newfoundland dog. The breed was in Newfoundland in the 1700s and imported to England in the 1800s. When I was researching its origins, I…
What should you do about lameness in a dog and what causes it?
Lame dog Q: My working lurcher is on/off lame on her right foreleg and there appears to be swelling around the wrist. Any suggestions? A: Lots. Most importantly, I would immediately confine her to barracks until the problem has been diagnosed. Continuing to exercise your lame dog now may jeopardise…
How to train a young gundog to be disciplined in company
Gundog training together Anyone who works or trains gundogs will tell you that they are addictive. Once you have one you will want another, and this will be the case most especially if you want to go picking up. In fact, many shoots will insist that if you aspire to…
Puppies and umbelical hernias – what you need to know
Umbilical hernia on puppy Q: My puppy bitch has an umbilical hernia that the vet intended to repair when she was spayed after her first season. However, we are having second thoughts about neutering her and wanted to know if this means she still needs an operation to repair her…