In the concluding part of a two-part series, Tony Price guides breeders through the process of bringing their working bitch’s puppies into the world
Gundog puppies
Checking up on a pedigree
Q: I am doubtful of the pedigree details of some Labrador puppies I have been offered. Pedigrees are widely available online and provide information for those who can simply make up a pedigree — and often the buyer is none the wiser. So how can I verify what I think…
Why ‘play-training’ is crucial for gundog puppies
Tony reveals how 'play time' is an essential part of a gun dog's training.
Will another bitch coming into heat bring mine on as well?
Gundog training & health: Now it is the end of the shooting season, I want to breed from my bitch, but she is erratic with her heat cycles.
Which gundog puppy will be pick of the litter?
Q: How do I going about choosing a puppy from the litter? I’m planning on breeding gundog puppies from my bitch this spring. She’s five years old and I only want to have one litter from her, but because she has been such a good shooting gundog I want to…
How can I ensure my puppy bonds with my old gun dog?
I'm worried my 10-year-old spaniel won't take to the new puppy I've just bought. What problems do you think I may encounter?
How to sell your gundog puppies responsibly and safely during a pandemic
Gundog puppies are always sought after as they come from popular breeds and tend to have sociable natures. At the moment, demand is higher than ever. So how can you ensure that yours go to the right homes and that you are protecting yourself and the youngsters from the wrong…
What’s the real cost of buying a dog?
If you're about to buy a dog, take a moment to consider the wider costs of ownership. Paul Rawlings does some basic sums to provide an idea of what it could cost in both time and money
Why you should try and see a potential puppy early in the morning (and 10 other gundog puppy must-reads)
Lighter evenings and milder weather make March, April and May a popular time to take on a new gundog puppy. Our experts have written articles on all aspects of gundog puppies, so browse through and find out what you need to know. 1.How should you start training your puppy to…
How to choose a gundog puppy
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…
Choosing a stud dog
Which are the most important qualities to look for when selecting your stud dog?
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…
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…
What should I do about my dog’s dewclaws?
Dogs and dewclaws Q: My dog still has his dewclaws, but I’ve been told that these are usually removed soon after birth. Is it too late to have them removed now? What would you advise? A: It is legal to remove dewclaws from puppies whose eyes have not yet opened.…
How can I find the right Labrador puppy these days?
Q: I have been struggling to find a Labrador puppy because there seems to have been a big demand for them as pets during lockdown. I have been advised to wait a while because it’s expected that a lot of young dogs will need to be rehomed in the…
The risks of over-exercising a puppy
Q: We have recently acquired a new puppy. Both parents were hip and elbow tested and found to be clear and I’ve been told by the breeder to be careful about over-exercising a puppy while he is young because it could damage his joints. I want to start training this…
What your puppy will need to get used to when lockdown ends
This has been an unusual time for all of us in pretty much every aspect of our lives and dog training is no exception. In some ways lockdown has helped in that people now have more time to spend with their dogs. However, given that most were unable to leave…
How to breed from your working bitch
Tony Price offers a step-by-step guide to successfully breeding your working bitch
Gundog thefts soaring as prices rise
Gundog owners are being warned to be particularly careful following a dramatic increase in gundog thefts, with spaniels seeming to be a particular target. Keeper Jon Gaunt had three springer spaniels stolen from his East Sussex home in early May. Despite an extensive publicity campaign and “brilliant” support from his…
COVID-19 making gundog puppies pricier and harder to come by
Gundog puppies from traditional breeds such as spaniels and Labradors are becoming more expensive and harder to find due to raised demand following lockdown. Shooting Times contributor and gundog breeder Jeremy Hunt of Fenway Labradors remarked: “The demand for Labrador puppies, and not just working ones, has gone crazy. The…