Hunting Dog Articles
Have a vet to add to the list of trusted sporting dog veterinarians? We’d love your recommendation. Crowdsourcing and sharing your feedback is the only way this project works. Help us promote those vets who have the mindset and skillset our community needs for our canine athletes.
The Origins—and Consequences—of Early Spay and Neuter in Our Canine Athletes
For decades, a blanket recommendation for sterilizing dogs at a very young age has been presented as a universal good. Yet for those of us who live and work alongside canine athletes, the cracks in that narrative have become harder to ignore.
Vet Spotlight: Dr. Meg Puchlerz
If you live and breathe hunting birds over pointing dogs out West, Dr. Meg of On Point Veterinary Services in Hamilton, Montana is a kindred spirit.
Vet Spotlight: Dr. Kade Grende
If you’re an avid waterfowl hunter and fan of retrieving breeds, you’re in good company with Dr. Kade Grende.
Vet Spotlight: Dr. Hunter Rung
An avid uplander, Dr. Hunter Rung was one of our very first verified veterinarians and a big supporter of the Hunt.Vet mission to connect the sporting dog community with veterinarians who understand the needs of canine athletes.
CBD for Sporting Dogs: What Cornell’s Dr. Joe Wakshlag Wants Hunters to Know
CBD can bring owners their dog back. Not always in a miraculous way, but by improving appetite, reducing discomfort, and restoring a little spark in older dogs.
Rethinking Metronidazole: Why Vets Are Moving Away from an Old Standby in Treating Diarrhea in Sporting Dogs
Despite its track record of clearing up diarrhea rapidly, in recent years many veterinarians have been re-examining metronidazole. What we’ve learned has pushed it further down the list of treatments.
No more excuses: Hearing loss has never been easier to prevent
It’s ‘bout time we start treating our ears with the same care and respect that we give to our dogs, and fortunately hearing protection has never been easier to achieve than today.
Vet Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Barton
An avid waterfowl hunter and lover of retrieving breeds, Dr. Barton was one of our very first verified veterinarians and a big supporter of the Hunt.Vet mission to connect the sporting dog community with doctors who understand the unique needs of canine athletes.
First Aid Kit Essentials with Dr. Clair Maples
Dr. Maples breaks down what makes her field-ready first aid kits different from the rest. Instead of cramming a bag full of rarely used items, she focused on essentials—tools and supplies a hunter could realistically deploy when minutes matter.
Acupuncture for Sporting Dogs: Another Option in Your Tool Kit
As Dr. Lobos summarized, it’s not about replacing traditional care — it’s about expanding the toolkit. And for those of us who depend on our dogs in the field, every tool that helps them stay healthy, mobile, and eager to hunt is worth exploring.
Science-Backed Strategies for Cooling Dogs from Dr. Cindy Otto
The heat of the early season hunting can challenge even the fittest sporting dogs. High temperatures, humidity, and the relentless drive of these canine athletes create a perfect storm for heat-related injury.
When is the best time to spay or neuter your hunting dog?
As a veterinarian and avid bird hunter, one of the most common questions I receive from sporting dog owners revolves around the decision to spay or neuter their dogs. For many reasons that I’ll lay out in this article, it’s a decision not to be taken lightly nor one that’s easy to navigate.