Q) If you could pick one thing an owner can do to have a happy, healthy dog, what would that be?
A) Recently, I saw a gentleman walking his lab in the rain on the beach, and my answer to this hit me hard because I had never consciously connected it. Whenever I see a happy, healthy sporting dog with a happy, healthy owner, there is one variable that is almost guaranteed - they take their dog on a walk every day. This can be a leash walk or working a field. Any exercise with your dog on a daily basis is by far the most common denominator I see most amongst healthy, happy dogs and owners. I also believe it creates a bond that supersedes just laying on the couch, and a dog will love you forever for that.
Q) What are a few things you wish dog owners knew that you’d tell them if you had the chance?
A) Oh goodness. Well, for starters I would say that you have to find a vet you trust and take their advice seriously. Be sure to have open dialogue and feel comfortable asking all the questions you have. Developing a good relationship with your vet is crucial. Finding a vet you trust and like can take some time, but it's worth the effort, and you'll save money, time, and frustration in the long run. Your dog will thank you for it too - they know. Also, just because you know a vet personally, don’t feel obligated to use them. No vet is for everyone. A lot of my acquaintances and friends don’t use me, and that's ok!
The next thing I would say just for fun is that most vets loathe retractable leashes. Now our Ginger (she's five pounds fully grown) has a pink Flexi Lead. This type of leash definitely has its place with small dogs, but any dog over 20 lbs. and all sporting dogs (labs, etc) should not be handled with retractable leashes. The freedom you give with a retractable leash is less than the freedom lost from the dog not learning to heel or properly behave. Retractable leashes are like trampolines - all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Q) What are the core veterinary needs that dogs need every year, and are there any specific things that are highly recommended but not widely accepted?
A) Rabies and Da2PP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza) are three-year shots now so the basics are: a good physical exam; being up to date on Rabies, Da2PP; a heartworm test; and an intestinal parasite check.
Services I highly recommend are yearly lab work (blood tests to check vital organ function), the Leptospirosis Vaccine (more on that next time), and other vaccines as needed per you and your vet's conversation.
It is really important (especially in the Southeast), to keep your dogs on heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives year round. There are so many products now, so it's best to talk to your vet and see what they recommend for your dog’s specific environmental conditions. My personal preference is Bravecto every 3 months combined with Sentinel Spectrum monthly.
Q) What about conditioning and preparing your dog for the upcoming quail season? Are there any special considerations here?
A) Absolutely. A dog can look like it's in great shape and yet be totally out of shape. Going from couch days to field days without a little work up can be very harmful, leading to overheating even in the cold, as well as orthopedic injuries. Start with longer walks and working fields, taking breaks often when there's no pressure to perform. This gets you in shape too!
Q) Do you carry or recommend any particular first aid kit?
A) For years I’ve been trying to perfect the field first-aid kit myself through Gun Dog Solutions, and I continue to do so. Until then, I recommend and use the Working Dog Kit by Adventure Medical Kits. It comes with a great little handbook as well. No matter what you carry or feel comfortable doing, it's imperative that you also have your vet’s number on speed dial. And if you're going out of your local area, be sure to write down the local vets and ER clinics in the area you will be hunting.
Q) Is there a multivitamin or supplement you recommend for sporting dogs?
A) Actually, no. A quality dog food needs no supplementation. That said, when a sporting dog hits five years old or has any orthopedic condition before then, I recommend a high quality joint supplement such as Dasuquin Advanced taken daily.
Jackson Walker, DVM, is the founder and owner of Walker Canine Care and Gun Dog Solutions. He lives his dream in Anderson, SC, operating the only canine-exclusive veterinary care facility in South Carolina. He specialized in the sporting breeds, consulting, internal medicine, and surgery. His passions include saltwater fishing, quail hunting, and watching dogs work. He has written for and been featured in publications including Gun Dog Magazine, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and Sporting Classics.