Getting the most out of your gray-muzzled veteran, means recognising his
limitations and managing him intelligently. You should avoid extremes of any
kind: unusually hot or cold temperatures, steep and/or broken terrain, dense
cover, and prolonged time out on the shoot.
It’s important to remember that
what doesn’t decline with age is your dog’s desire to hunt; if you let him,
he’ll push himself until he literally drops. It’s just the way good hunting
gundogs are made. So you have to be the brains of the partnership and stay vigilant for any
signs that your companion is starting to labour. If you’re going to err, err on
the side of caution. Slip a lead on, head for the vehicle, and live to retrieve/hunt
another day.
When your gundog attains senior status—around eight or nine for most
sporting breeds—you need to pay increased attention to diet, exercise, and
veterinary care.
It’s very important to give your senior gun dog an annual exam before the shooting
season. This enables your vet to note any health changes as they occur and take
the appropriate steps in response.
Probably most common age-related issues are weight gain and loss of
mobility.
Owners should keep their senior gun dogs lean and exercise them on a
regular basis out of season. High-quality nutrition is very important for
senior dogs; if you spend a little more on food, you’ll spend less at the vet
practice
Diets rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms
as can feeding supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. Treating gundogs whose symptoms are more
acute, glucosamine-based injection may be recommended. Another osteoarthritis
medication with a proven track record is Rimadyl, which has the advantage of
being available as a tablet.
Make sure your experienced warrior has a warm, dry, draft-free place to lay
his weary bones at the end of the day. He’ll benefit from a good night’s sleep.
Professional Gun Dog training throughout the East Midlands region of the UK with access to 2000 acres of woodland, lakes and arable land for puppy to advanced training of your pet or shooting companion, wether your interest is just obedience, picking up, the beating line, rough shooting, driven shooting, wildfowling, working tests or field trials. We also provide demonstrations of our gundogs in training for corporate events, country fairs and fun days.