Q: My three-year-old Jack Russell may have a skin problem. He has lost hair in places on his face and ears; in patches that look rather like red-purplish bruises. He also has another patch on his chest, near his “arm pit”. What could cause this? A: From what you describe…
Gundogs
What’s the best beating dog?
Beating dogs are the forgotten heroes of the shooting world. They far outnumber all the picking-up dogs and peg dogs put together, but they are largely ignored and seldom celebrated for the vital work they do. There are no competitions for beating dogs, so no equivalent of a field trial…
Can you prevent arthritis in dogs?
Q: Both my elderly Labradors have suffered pretty badly from arthritis in later life. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this? A: Great question, but one to which there is no simple, conclusive answer. There are many treatments for osteoarthritis, but there is no doubt that the…
Should I feed a dog before exercise?
Q: I was told that you should not feed a dog before a day’s shooting. I typically feed my dog around 6.30am and we do not start the first drive until around 9.30am. Do you think that is long enough? I have never had any problems. A: Dogs need sufficient…
Why has my young sprocker lost form?
Q: My three year old sprocker spaniel had a good summer, even though she failed to conceive after two matings. Since the season started she has been beating with me three days a week and she just looks lacklustre. By early afternoon she is usually walking at my side. A: Presuming…
Gun-shy dogs – what you need to know
Amid all the afflictions a working gundog can suffer, there is arguably nothing worse than being gun-shy. Peter Moxon, Shooting Times’s kennel editor for many years, didn’t think that there was a cure for a gun-shy dog, though he did believe that there was a big difference between one that was…
Why is the large Munsterlander not seen more often?
My questioner was pointing to a large, longhaired black-and-white dog with an impressive white flag of a tail. The answer was no, it’s a large Munsterlander (LM). The large Munsterlander does resemble a large black-and-white springer, for this is the most spaniel-like of all the German breeds of gundog that…
Which is the right HPR breed for my needs?
Q: I have always used cross-breeds for rough shooting, rabbits and wild pheasants, plus a fair bit of duck shooting as well. They have been all sorts and never very obedient. I now have the funds to be able to afford a pedigree puppy and really fancy a pointer of…
How well do you know your gundog vocabulary?
Things can get very confusing in the gundog world when we use different gundog commands or words for different breeds. For example, spaniel people tend to use “hup” to get their dogs to sit. Does anyone know why? So here’s our definitive guide to gundog commands and phrases Action and…
Take it easy – training tips for young gundog puppies
So that’s it, you’ve finally got your new puppy. It’s fully vaccinated, raring to go and ready to start its exercise and training. You’ve got all your new equipment and are chomping at the bit to make a start.
Help! My cocker spaniel keeps injuring his tail …
Q: I have a four year old cocker spaniel with a partially docked tail. I have used him over the past two seasons and twice now he has damaged his tail, causing it to bleed but not enough to prevent him working. My vet has offered to dock him further…
How can I get my dog to go back on his lead after exercise?
Q: My one-year-old standard poodle-springer is a happy, energetic, intelligent pet at home. He has a few issues with chewing, but we put that down to boredom and it is slowly getting better. However, I have now encountered a more serious issue. I take him every day to the fields and…
Tail docking: Key facts you need to know
Tail docking: It is one of the most emotive subjects in the gundog world, so education is key to knowing where owners, breeders and vets stand on tail docking.
Which is the best hunt, point and retrieve gundog?
Though it is not a claim I have ever heard him make, Rory Major has almost certainly trained and competed with more breeds of gundog than anyone else in the business. He has trialled everything from retrievers and spaniels to setters and most breeds of hunt, point and retrieve gundogs (HPR). His successes include making-up the…
How to stop Kennel Cough
How to stop Kennel Cough! How to prevent Kennel Cough - Kennel Cough is one of the most common diseases affecting gundogs, but is reasonably easy to treat. Read our Kennel Cough advice!
Why are Labradors greedy?
A rogue gene could explain your Labrador’s insatiable appetite. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a genetic variation in Labradors that, they suspect, makes some obsessed with food. The research was led by Dr Eleanor Raffan, who said: “This is a common genetic variation in Labradors and it…
The golden rules for picking-up on a shoot
If you have picking-up dogs, then it is always good to get them out working, especially if you haven’t been out on the grouse moors or on partridge days. Taking them on a small boundary day is ideal if you get the chance, as it will remind them what they…
What you need to know BEFORE taking your dog onto the shooting field
The picker-up enjoys the pleasure of working their own dogs in the knowledge that they are performing an essential role in the day’s sport. Collecting shot birds is vital; even more so is making sure that any wounded birds are immediately gathered and swiftly despatched. Mutual respect The relationship between…