A reader writes: “I have a really good black Labrador that I would like to have a litter from and keep back a puppy. Any others from the litter I will sell and use the profit and have the puppy professionally trained. However, a friend has told me that there…
Gundog questions
How do I stop my gundog from running-in?
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.
Bad habits in Labradors
I have a 14 month-old lab dog who will have to put him in kennels for two weeks while we are on holiday. I'm concerned he may pick up bad habits while in the boarding kennels?
What can I do to protect my dog against Alabama rot?
Q: Is it true that Alabama rot is most prevalent in the autumn and winter? If that is the case, is there anything I can do to protect my dog? A: We refer to this disease as CRGV (idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy). It was first recognised in the…
How can I stop my gundog eating game?
Q: My gundog eats game instead of returning and leaving it. 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 never done this before. Would it help if I gave him a good feed after…
Which gundog breed would suit me best?
There are 34 different registered breeds of gundog, so how do you know which one is right for you?
Stinging nettles are a menace to dogs
Have you any advice on how to protect my gundog's pads when working?
How to teach a gundog puppy to run straight
Gundog training: Tony explains how to train your dog to take a line straight to the fall.
Why is my dog losing weight?
Gun dog health: My dog has always lost a lot of weight towards the middle of the shooting season.
Could my dog catch ear mites from another dog?
Q: My next-door neighbour’s dog has mites, which has led to an ear infection. We walk the dogs together each day and I was wondering if mine would be at risk? What are dog ear mites and are they catching? What dog owners need to know about ear mites Ear…
How can I protect my dogs from horsefly bites?
Q: I usually take my two Labradors with me when I tend to my horses and have noticed that there seem to be a lot of horseflies around this year, which can give a nasty bite. I generally spray myself with insect repellent to keep them away from me, but…
My Labrador won’t walk at heel properly – what’s wrong?
I’m training a seven-month-old gundog and I cannot make him walk to heel without constantly pulling on the lead. Can you suggest anything?
Should you clip your dog’s coat for the summer?
I own a working cocker spaniel that is 12 months old. Can you please give me advice on how to look after its coat, as some say you can cut it but others say not to. I do not know what to do for the best.
My dog is a picky eater – any ideas for a cure?
I have three gundogs who I have had to separate at feeding times due to fighting.
Do dogs have to wear collars?
Q: I pick-up with a very experienced dog person who has a team of dogs under immaculate control. None of them wear a collar. I thought dogs were obliged to by law. I asked him about it and he said that a collar could injure his dogs and he wasn’t…
Can terriers work in the beating line?
Terriers are an asset in the beating line, says David Bezzant after observing a Jack Russell at work on a shoot
Should you neuter your dog?
Neutering dogs has become such routine practice that I’m sure many people don’t give it a second thought. Bitches always seem to come into season at the most inappropriate time, such as the middle of the shooting season, so unless you want to breed from them there is a strong…
How can I stop my spaniel whining at the peg?
My two year-old Springer spaniel, Betsy, is a great worker but she will insist on whining whenever she is made to sit, or when she is in the kennel.
Buying a puppy – what should I know?
What breed? Choosing the right breed of gundog puppy has to be the foremost consideration. You will have to not only decide what breed will suit your shooting requirements, but also your lifestyle. Remember, most gundogs will only work in the shooting field for three or four months of the…
Tips on keeping your dog’s teeth free from tartar
Dog tartar removal and prevention Dental disease in dogs is primarily caused by food particles and bacteria building up at the base of the teeth near the gum line, causing the formation of plaque. If this plaque is not removed, minerals in the dog’s saliva combine with the plaque to…