By Joe Spoo DVM

Gundogs are athletes in the truest sense of the word. Yet, too often we think of them as an unfailing hunting partner that’s always there to perform at the top of their game – no questions asked. When hunting season rolls around we expect many of these athletes to go from couch potato to Ironman competitor without blinking an eye.

While your dog may be a completely willing Olympic-class sprinter, it’s important to remember one thing: gundogs run at full tilt, usually from sunup to sundown…Michael Johnson only does it for 400 meters. I can’t even think of a human comparison for chasing a crippled bluebill in late November through ice-cold water. These dogs are athletes, and, as such, they have unique energy demands, physical characteristics and, too often, injuries.

Our world-class human athletes train year round, admittedly not at 100 percent all the time. However, throughout the year they usually train for seasons that are roughly the same length as hunting season. Even if you only hunt on the weekends of hunting season, that amounts to more than 20 outings (games, if you will) per year. This doesn’t even count any week-long trips chasing ducks in the Dakotas or Iowa ringnecks where your pup may be hunting for several days on end. NFL players play roughly 15-18 games a year, and after the Viking’s tragedy this summer we all know the strenuous levels their workouts can reach. With the obstacles and hazards encountered in the field, our canine partners also are in need of maintenance for their athletic condition.

An often-overlooked aspect in the gundog world is the need for preseason conditioning. Conditioning is great on several fronts. One it allows you to work out the cobwebs from the long summer layoff through short refresher courses. And secondly, and most importantly, it allows you to evaluate your partner’s performance level physically. This may uncover any current problems or help prevent any injuries further down the road when the birds are really flying.

Although some hunting seasons have already started, it’s still not too late to work on conditioning. This can vary from taking the dog out on an evening run to throwing a few dummies in the backyard. The first few outings of the year can even be used to build up both your and the dog’s condition. Taking things slow early on may not result in the most bird-productive outings, but by taking the time to get into the swing of things, both of you will be ready by the end of the season when the birds really get tough to chase.

It also would be prudent to have your veterinarian perform a physical exam prior to hunting season. Now, I’m not trying to sell another trip to the vet every year, although it couldn’t hurt. If nothing else, try to get your partner’s yearly vaccinations to coincide with late summer or early fall. This will allow someone else to evaluate where your dog is physically and medically. Underlying joint or muscle problems may be identified, and the pads and nails can be assessed. Have your dog’s nails trimmed and use the visit as a guideline for how long the nails should be to help prevent tearing or breaking in the field. This is also a good time to discuss your dog’s weight – is he carrying around a few extra pounds, or are you going to need to feed a little extra during the season to compensate for the extra activity?

Just like with anything in life, the more time you put into something, the more benefit you get from it. The same applies to your gundog. Time spent preparing for the upcoming season will show its benefits during the season. An overworked/underconditioned dog is going to be prone to injury and likely will not be nearly as productive in the field. If the conditioning isn’t there at the beginning of the season don’t push it to fast. Give your partner a chance to build up to the desired level so you’re really ready to go later in the year when the birds start flying.

Our gundogs are often integral parts of our family in whom we’ve invested a lot of time and money in hopes they’ll become our unerring companions in the field. They are also top-notch athletes, and, as such, require special care and attention to keep them in the field year in and year out. Hunting seasons are relatively short segments of the year as a whole, but to get the most out of the few times we make it out in the field, spend the extra time in the off-season getting your hunting partner into shape. That dog sitting beside you begging for that last bit of supper really is an athlete, just give him an honest chance to prove it.