Gundog Training Forum

Dan Newcombe wrote:
By the sounds of it she is just getting fit and lean, keep her fed well and you will have a healthy decent dog.

Re the food, I am feeding Arden grange (and she likes it) giving the specified amount per day and she wolfes it down (more so than she has ever done before) I am in a quandary, do I stick at the specified amount to keep her lean or feed her more cos she is hungry. ??
She is not a greedy dog she will leave food in the bowl or not even touch it if she isn't hungry.

I've had to limit our days more than i would want because i just got one spaniel and she's working very hard in rough cover when we are out. Best for her is two days a week, max three but NOT two days in a row, she needs to rest in between. We mostly begin at 9:30 and end around 4 in the afternoon with just one lunch break, i try to keep her on leash as often as i can to let her rest, letting other dogs work but we almost always end up working more than we should. From a working test princess and trial standard gingerly working dog she turned into a full scale bramble basher. It's 'ok, let's clear this now, let Scylla in!' And she's just a tiny cocker, 10 kg!'

Helene

As a general rule, take no notice of feeding guidelines because they're pretty meaningless. Always feed to condition and you won't go far wrong. If your dog is working hard and is in lean condition feed a bit more, if she's working less and putting on fat then feed a bit less. You don't want a dog carrying fat either during the shooting season or in the close season.

Naj

Hepe wrote:I've had to limit our days more than i would want because i just got one spaniel and she's working very hard in rough cover when we are out. Best for her is two days a week, max three but NOT two days in a row, she needs to rest in between. We mostly begin at 9:30 and end around 4 in the afternoon with just one lunch break, i try to keep her on leash as often as i can to let her rest, letting other dogs work but we almost always end up working more than we should. From a working test princess and trial standard gingerly working dog she turned into a full scale bramble basher. It's 'ok, let's clear this now, let Scylla in!' And she's just a tiny cocker, 10 kg!'

Helene

Wow that's a hard working day.

Yeah it is. I would need another spaniel really. I got little Godis too but she's going to be trained for trials first and will not be allowed to join any time soon.

As Naj has said ignore the guidelines.

if she is losing weight and wants more food then give her more. If she is getting fat then feed less.

We tend to give ours a bit of a rest in February other than shooting rabbit over them to regain some control. They tend to get a bit soft but not fat.

Cheers.
Yes the guidelines are somewhat vague feed between this amount and that amount if your dig weighs between this and that. !!!
No mention of breed or level of activity. I will feed her enough to satisfy (which will be more than the guide) and keep close eye on her weight.
Thanks for all the replies

I tend to feed less than the recommended amount as its much easier to put a bit of weight onto the average dog than it is to get it off if they get too plump. A bit like us really! The only food I found I had to feed more than the guidelines was Millie's Wolfheart, AG and the Lamb and Rice I normally feed they needed much less than the recommended amount.

As for how much work, each dog is different, I've had a couple of Flatcoats that retired themselves aged 9 ish but some of my dogs went on til they died doing a normal days work two or three days a week picking up. Keep the dog fit all year round and it will work as long as you want when you want it to, as long as its getting a decent food of course but that's a part of keeping it fit - food and exercise.

ips wrote: I will feed her enough to satisfy (which will be more than the guide)

No. Feed the dog in front of you. Not "to satisfy"!

Springfield Pointers wrote:

ips wrote: I will feed her enough to satisfy (which will be more than the guide)

No. Feed the dog in front of you. Not "to satisfy"!

+1, and remember a really fit dog will look thin to most people who don't keep working dogs, look at fox hounds if you get the chance or middle/long distance runners in the Olympics!!