Q: “I am considering breeding from my young Labrador bitch but have to confess to being overwhelmed by all the advice I am getting. Any thoughts?” Thoughts on breeding Labradors A: First I would say that breeding from your only dog can be fraught and is not entirely without risk.…
Gundog questions
How to make a dog vomit in an emergency
Most wild mushrooms aren't poisonous to dogs, but there are some symptoms of poisoning that you should watch out for
Are tennis balls dangerous to dogs?
Q: My dog trainer has advised me to use tennis balls to train my Labrador to hunt and retrieve but I’ve heard there are risks from balls. Are tennis balls dangerous to dogs? What are your thoughts on this issue? Tennis ball risks When dogs play with balls there is the…
How can I protect my dog’s ears from grass seeds?
Grass seeds can easily become lodged in a dog’s ears or paws. Grass seeds are a particular problem for spaniels As the hay fever season fades away, so the grass-seed season takes over. The first affects me (though not as much as it used to), while the second is a…
How much do trained dogs cost?
Dogs are amazing creatures and some are worth a lot of money. We’ve been reading about the high prices puppies have reached during the COVID lockdown as everyone decides they want a canine companion. A border collie from Wales has just become the world’s most expensive sheepdog after being sold…
How to breed from your working bitch
Tony Price offers a step-by-step guide to successfully breeding your working bitch
Why do dogs point?
Pointing is one of the most fascinating of dog behaviours and one that was recognised long ago as a useful trait to encourage in hunting dogs. Today, there’s a misconception that only pointers, setters and the continental HPR breeds point, but any breed of gundog will point, though it’s unusual…
Can you give a rescue dog a home?
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…
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
Can a working gundog also be a family pet?
Am I taking a risk having my working labrador as a house dog?
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…
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,…
9 gundog health tips that vets wish their owners knew
Gundog health tips 1. Why you should never give your dog ibuprofen Canine under the weather? Never be tempted to give something from the family medicine cabinet. Here’s why and what you should do instead. 2. How to make a dog vomit Scrounging dogs (we’re particularly thinking of the ever-hungry…
How do I stop my gundog from swapping birds?
Gundog training: My spaniel bitch is doing well in her first season but last Saturday when sent for a retrieve she picked the bird then dropped it on the way back in favour of another. How can I stop her doing this?
How to keep your dog safe around fast-flowing rivers
Q: I will be picking-up this season on a new shoot, where there is a fast-flowing river. On two drives it can be necessary to put dogs over the river. I know that dogs have drowned in this river in the past, and while my dogs are good swimmers I…
How do I stop my gundog mouthing game?
I took my 18 month-old Labrador shooting for the first time this season, allowing him to pick no more than two birds on each of the three outings.
Should you ever smack a gundog?
Gun dog discipline: A light tap on the nose as a warning for one gun dog owner may seem tantamount to cruelty to another. Justin Clarke examines how to make the punishment fit the crime.
How can I stop my gundog from dropping the dummy? (And other dummy training problems.)
How do I stop my gun dog spitting her dummy out, I have tried placing it in her mouth while saying 'hold'?