What should you be doing with that Veteran Gundog?

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.