Gundogs protecting body condition during lactation and weaning

Only extreme exercise is more energy demanding than lactation. The right nutritional support is incredibly important as the dam will sacrifice her own body condition to continue producing an adequate quantity of nutrient rich milk for her pups.  Helping mum retain condition is something we as a breeder strive for.  Here we offer a quick summary of practical tips to help during lactation and offer advice on how to feed mum during the weaning process.

Practical Feeding Tips during lactation:
1. Feed a diet which is highly digestible and both nutrient and energy dense.
2. Provide adequate calories to help prevent weight loss.
3. Provide clean fresh water in multiple, easy to access to locations.
4. During peak lactation feed two to four times her maintenance energy requirements.
5. Provide free choice feeding or several meals per day (e.g. 4-6) during peak lactation – even when a high quality super premium diet is fed the quantities can exceed the capacity of the gastrointestinal tract.
6. Slowly reduce the dam’s intake after the sixth week of lactation in parallel with the reduced suckling of the puppies.
7. When the puppies are between 3  and 4 weeks old and become interested in food we recommend you should supply mum's food on a high surface; out of the puppies’ reach.  This is especially important for large/giant breeds as mum's diet will be too energy dense for the large breed puppies.  Excess energy for large/giant breed puppies maximises growth rate which compromises skeletal development.  Large/giant breed pups need a reduced energy puppy diet to control growth rate such.

To help reduce body condition losses during lactation:
Week 1 - Feed 1.5 to 2 times maintenance energy needs
Week 2 - Feed 2 times maintenance
Weeks 3 to 5 - Feed 2.5 to 4 times maintenance (peak lactation)
Week 6 - Slowly begin reducing the dam’s energy intake here as the puppies will begin eating solid food and so the amount of milk consumed will decrease.

Feeding mum when weaning:
Pups usually begin eating solid food as early as 3-4 weeks of age, typically increasing around the fifth week.  By the time they are 6-7 weeks old they will be consuming mostly solid food.  If milk production is allowed to continue at a high level during this stage there is a high chance of the dam developing mastitis.  Provided the dam is in good condition all food should be withheld from mum on the first day of weaning - when the puppies are completely separated from her.  After this the daily feeding ration can be gradually introduced at 25%, 50%, 75% and finally 100% of her maintenance level.
As a general guide it is normal for the bitch to lose some weight during lactation but this should not exceed 10% of her normal bodyweight.  Proper feeding throughout pregnancy and lactation will help ensure minimum weight is lost, even with larger litters.   

The repletion period: This is the period when the dam’s body regains stores of nutrients lost in during gestation and lactation. Continuing to feed the nutrient and energy dense food for at least 3 week post weaning will support optimal nutrient repletion.

Dissappointing Gundogs

Well this weekend was certainly a  disappointment for me as my gun dogs did not perform very well, over the last few years I have not attended too many working tests due to other commitments, but having reduced my training commitments at weekends, I decided to do a few more working tests.

My motivation for doing so, is always to see whats being asked of current gun dogs, a chance to visit different grounds and measure my gun dogs performance and fitness levels.

This weekend the Midland Gundog Society organised an AV Retriever Open Working Test at Packington Estate, Meriden in Warkwickshire, a well establish shooting estate by kind permission of the Earl of Aylesford and the Utility Gundog Society orgainsed a Novice and Open AV Spaniel Working Test at Cavernam in Suffolk by kind permission of Robert Gough and Wayne Alford.

A number of demanding tests were set for 27 Open Retrievers, which attracted some of the best handlers in the UK, it was not too long before my fate was set for the day.

First mistake of the day, was hydrating the dogs too much with a sardine and water breakfast, thinking the day was going to be rather hot, dogs started peeing to much!

My first task was to pick a blind at some distance after being distracted with a mark at some equal distance at an acute angle directly into wind, all 3 of my dogs managed to pick both retrieves, but not without considerable handling and a few toilet stops!

My next task was to pick a mark in some undulating ground covered by bracken followed by a blind which was on a similar line but much deeper, all 3 of my dogs failed, my first dog discovered a dead deer carcass on route and decided to retrieve the hind leg, my second dog followed the same route found the same carcass but I did manged to move her off it and into the area but she failed to pick. my fortune change when my third dog picked the mark but I struggled and eventually called him up on the blind.

My final task before lunch was a further two blinds at some considerable distance to shot at an acute angle, the performance was deteriorating fast so I called my first two dogs up, hunting for something else which was not dummy! My luck change with my third dog receiving 19/20 for a near perfect performance.

After a brief lunch and fortunately with no cut, I was allowed to continue with a further two tests, I decided to retire one dog as she clearly was not interested in finding a dummy.

The next test was a simple mark on undulating ground over a ditch in bracken, my fortune improved with both dogs completing the task with respectable scores.

The final task was a long distance blind retrieve with a mark distraction at an obtuse angle to shot in some rushes, I completed this task with both dogs one of them scoring the maximum points.

Overall a rather disappointing performance but I was not on my own, another 15 dogs had failures according to the score card including a member of this years England team, which just goes to show every gundog can has some disappointing days.

The first reaction of some competitors or spectators would be to question the degree difficulty or quality of judging, I found the day very challenging and judging very fare indeed. If the tests on the day are too easy you may go home pleased, but what have you really achieved?

Their was greater emphases on blinds during the day, especially in the morning session, but I certainly went home with a lot to think about!

The next day involved a short journey down the A14 with my Cocker Pip, after such a disappointing Saturday with the Retrievers was rather hoping my fortune was going to change.

In the morning I helped out with the Novice AV Spaniel working test, putting a blind out behind the line and managed to see all the spaniels perform, which was very interesting, the winner was a class above the rest!

After a great lunch, we started the Open which was very similar to the Novice in that we had a simple mark in front with a shot in the line and a blind behind the line. pip completed all the retrieves the blinds with a little more handling than I would have liked, but she was on fire! she was a fidget when asked to sit and wait for the other dog to complete their retrieves, which cost her an A- under one judged, which put her out of the awards.

More work to do, hoping for better results next time.

Want to know more about Canine Eye Disease & Prevention

Want to know more about Canine Eye Disease and Prevention then get your yourself over to Doveridge in Derby shire to listen and participate in a discussion with John Goodyear BVMS CertVOphthal MRCVS.

Saturday Evening 7pm for 7.30pm 25th April ( Next Week)

Venue: Doveridge Village Club, DE6 5JQ

The evening has been organised by Dove Valley Working Gundog Club at NO COST to those attending, their will be a short interval during the evening with hot pork baps.

You just need to book so they have an idea of numbers by texting or telephoning Guy Radford on 07960 796403

Doveridge lies east of Uttoxeter off the A50. Travelling from Uttoxeter/Stoke towards Derby,
leave A50 at the Doveridge turn. At T junction turn right.
At roundabout go straight over into Sand Lane.
Venue on left 150 yards.
Travelling from Derby, leave A50 at A515 Ashbourne turn
then follow local signs to Doveridge. In Doveridge Village, turn left
at roundabout into Sand Lane. Venue on left 150 yards.

Kennel Club Export Pedigrees 2014