A working dog needs a good quality diet if it is to perform at its best. However it’s not necessarily the case that the harder the dog works, the more calories it needs. It all depends on the quality of the food the working dog is being offered and the…
Gundog questions
Phantom pregnancy? Or could our spaniel really be pregnant?
Is it a phantom pregnancy? Q: We have a young springer spaniel bitch that had her first season about six or seven weeks ago. We made sure she kept away from other dogs, but now her milk glands are developing and her nipples are becoming more prominent. Is this normal?…
Questions we’re often asked about Labradors: which one of these have you been wondering about?
Labradors have long been popular dogs both in the field and as companion dogs. But with this popularity comes a whole host of questions about labradors. Here are some of the ones we’re most commonly asked and the answers given by our gundog experts. Questions about labradors 1.What makes the…
Gundog training equipment: here’s what a top trainer says you’ll need
Kitting yourself out with gundog training equipment before the season? Tony runs through his own list of ‘must have’ essentials.
New injection for arthritic dogs: could it help?
Q: I have heard that there is a new injection for arthritic dogs available. Is this very different from other treatments and how effective is it? A: Arthritis is a condition that leads to pain and progressive degeneration of the joints. It affects many aspects of a dog’s outlook, causing…
What treatment can I give my constipated dog?
Helping a constipated dog Q: My labrador seems to get constipated; she gets into position to relieve herself but with no success, despite straining for several minutes. It’s distressing to see and I’d like to solve the issue.What can be done to relieve a constipated dog? A: Constipation in dogs…
How can I stop my cocker spaniel creeping?
Q: I have done everything I can to stop my cocker spaniel creeping. I have consistently put her back where she started, never allowing her to have a retrieve after she has crept forwards. I tried place boards and she shuffled off them to get closer to me. She is…
Do dogs mourn?
My recent viewpoint on whether dogs mourn and experience grief when they lose a companion drew an interesting response from readers. (Read this piece on depression in dogs.) Sue Knight’s experiences echoed mine. She wrote: “In the 38 years I have owned Weimaraners and labradors, none seemed affected by the…
Do probiotics for gundogs really work?
Dogs begin life with a sterile intestinal system, but very quickly this becomes colonised by bacteria that collectively form the ‘microbiome’; an army of microorganisms that are essential for health and life, as they protect against pathogenic bacteria and are involved in digestion, the immune system and vitamin production. The…
Dealing with tapeworms in working dogs
Q: What’s the best of dealing with tapeworms in working dogs? I have recently had to treat my dog for tapeworms. How do dogs get tapeworms and how can I prevent them in future? A: Tapeworms are flat, segmented intestinal parasites. There are several types of tapeworms, but the most…
Was getting a cocker spaniel a mistake?
Q: I am wondering whether getting a cocker spaniel was a mistake. I bought my first cocker spaniel last year. I was sure to do my research on reputable breeders and health-tested parents. The pedigree is very impressive, with many field trial champions, and the mother had a lovely temperament.…
Can a working gundog also be a family pet?
Am I taking a risk having my working labrador as a house dog?
Dog training with a whistle: some frequently asked questions
Dog training with a whistle means you don’t have to shout yourself hoarse when you’re teaching your hound how to behave. (Read how to teach reliable dog recall.) Having a whistle in your pocket is a useful tool and of course different blows on the whistle can mean all sorts…
Training your gundog to enter cover
The one thing that your gundog will have to do at some point is to be willing and able to enter cover. Whether that be to find and retrieve shot game or to flush a tight-sitting pheasant or rabbit, they will have to do it. A gundog that skirts around…
What should I feed my gundog on a shoot day?
On a shoot day you obviously want your gundog to perform at his best and remain fit and healthy. So what should your feeding programme for the day be? What’s the best time to feed before energetic exercise and how much? And what happens after the shoot day is wrapped…
Gundog running-in: the cause and the solution
I have a black labrador gun dog who is 22 months old. His training had gone well until he recently started running in to shot birds.
Dogs and electric fences: how dangerous is getting a shock?
Shocks from electric fences can be painful but your dog shouldn't experience lasting trauma. If your dog still seems affected after the shock, you should see your vet
How can I stop my gundog eating game?
What can you do if your gundog eats game instead of returning it to you and leaving it intact. A reader wrote to me recently saying: “Twice last season my labrador ate a brace of partridges laid to cool in the back of the pickup. The dog, a six-year-old, had…
Why you should never ignore a dog’s broken tooth
A vet explains why one reader was charged £150 to have his dog's molar removed
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