“gundogs”

The dog days of July and August are a misnomer. Hunting dogs need action, but it’s too hot for exercise. Neither old Drake nor young Lady can afford to vegetate now. Hunting season is just around the corner. In a month or two they’ll launch all-out assaults on fields and meadows, woods and waters. How do you get them in shape for that without killing them?

If there was ever a bird hunt that didn’t need a dog, a dove hunt is it. But use one anyway.

Grass kills. Dogs. Maybe yours. And we’re not talking medical marijuana here.

The simple truth is too many hunters are too wrapped up in the fun of the hunt to pay full attention to dog handling. So the following advice is directed more toward you and me than our retrievers.

At some point we all face a recalcitrant dog that just won’t do what it is commanded to do. At these times it’s critical to distinguish mistakes from willful disobedience.

If you run a big, hairy dog, you know the drill after days afield: long hours spent untangling weeds, sticks and burs from the matted coat of your hunting companion. Follow these tips to make the chore easier.

Hunting hounds have the anatomy of a carnivore. Does that mean raw meat is the best meal for your dog? Consider these dietetic details before letting your canine eat like its ancestors.

Take these pieces of puppy-parenting advice, and you'll be well on your way to raising a dog worthy of praise.

Want a bird dog that'll run like the wind all day? He may have all the hunting drive in the world, but he won't last long if you take him hunting without getting him in shape first.