Goosemaster
Well-known member
What suggestions for hunting dogs over 10?
YesMatch the hunt to how conditioned they are. Watch for overheating and exhaustion. Keep the hunt short. They don’t care how long it is, they just care that they got to go hunting!
InterestingMy female pointing Lab is 9 this season.
After she hunted earlier this fall, she seemed very uncomfortable and in some pain.
My wife ordered some glucosamine canine chews.
I have been giving these to the dog with meals. I have noticed that she seems to be less uncomfortable and recovers more quickly after hunting.
Yeah that sage moves unbelievably well.I was watching a video you took by a pond,and you shot 3 times over a pond, and eventually recovered the bird.Very cool video.I started running Sage down a gravel road around the end of August. Tried to get out at least 2 times a week, more if I could.
Granted, she's in better shape than I could have dreamed for being 10, but we stop every so often and I let her catch her breath. Make sure we're close to water, so she can cool down and drink. I do give her an aspirin after the hunt. So far, so good.
13@ wow!I thought my 13 yo Pudelpointer was retired but due to circumstances I could use her this season. She did shockingly well Grouse hunting last weekend working 4 miles of 2 track. So we'll in fact I plan to take her again and probably an easy trip in Iowa. Biggest issue is she can't hear me. I have had luck with a low shock enough for her to look back so I can hand signal her. It's a little risky but she lives for it and still has drive and a nose.
I have a 1 year old black lab.He broke a bone in his toe,so he can't hunt until nov.1.He can't go on walks,so it's really hard on him.Its really hard on me having to leave him in the car, when my 11 year old and I head out.We go on short, easy hunts,in easy cover,and we do ok.She likes not having the puppy along stealing birds from her.I believe you have to watch them carefully when they get over 10 years, each breed is different. My dog was 10 year setter old last year and was able to hunt all day long. In last 3 months he start to show his age. He'll go down steep bank to get water from a creek and can't get back up. this year my plan is to hunt terrain without obstacles . Hunt him 1 to 2 hours in morning and maybe the golden hour if permitting and lot road side ditches. My 1 1/2 year GWP needs to carry the load this year.