Dr. Tim Hunt On Dr. Tim's Dog Food

Sled dog racing sparks the notion of a well trained canine team pulling it's human musher across the frozen tundra to ultimate victory. It is also considered to be the ultimate test of canine endurance, strength, and performance. But where does the sled dog world collide with our gun dog planet? They are both superior canine athletes asked to work hard under extreme conditions. But again, were does the physical needs of a marathon running Alaskan Husky intertwine with those of a rocket propelled English Pointer?

Their collective bond is found at the very root of canine performance and that common denominator is high quality nutrition.  As conscientious owners, it is our responsibility to supply our working dog(s) the proper fuel to run hard, long, while remaining happy, healthy, and ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

It is not everyday I have the privilege of interviewing a man of Dr. Tim's caliber. His practical knowledge, combined with his education and experience, has led to improving the performance of canine athletes through his dry food formulas. Please note, his dog food formulas are ones he has personally concocted. Dr. Tim is, in my own opinion(and that of many others), pushing the envelope of canine nutritional science and the results have been outstanding. Thank you Dr. Tim for taking the time to answer the following questions...

What is your background and history of Dr. Tim's Pet Food? "I've been a Vet for 22 years(graduate of Michigan State University's School of Veterinary Medicine) and racing sled dogs for about 18 years. Have fed a heavy raw based diet with a kibble for many years with my mix of witches brew. Made it in my garage in a cement mixer and realized more dogs could benefit from a much better kibble(dry dog food) than what was currently on the market. I developed Momentum and began selling it about 6 years ago. Pursuit and Kinesis followed there after. I have raced in the States, Canada, Europe and Alaska and have worked the Iditarod as a vet many times and have run it as well with my own dogs."



What do you feel separates Dr. Tim's dry dog food from the rest of the "pack"?
"That the ingredients are all bioavailable, needed by the dog for fuel their metabolism like it is meant to be fueled, made in such a way as to have a very high digestibility, pre and probiotics included, protein make up to allow for building and maintaining the dogs muscle, allow for increased endurance, very high Omega 3 cold water fatty oil-highest of any food on the market that I know of.  I have what a working dog needs. The metabolism of a husky and a gun dog is not that different, actually very close. Some difference with glycogen replenishment but overall very similar. Basically, the food(Dr Tim's) is devised by a vet that actually gives a shit."(authors note: I agree with Dr. Tim so the profanity was not removed because I also gives a shit about quality canine nutrition! Thanks for your understanding. -Mark) 

Dr. Tim's "Momentum" formula is a 35% protein / 25% fat mix. What "type" of gun dog is this a good fit for this? (by type I mean activity level, drive, daily conditioning and work etc) "This would be one step above Pursuit, the 30/20, and would work very well for a hard working gun dog. Personally, I think this is the best choice for a working dog, period. It just costs a bit more," said Dr. Tim. (Following quotes from Dr. Tim's website) "Momentum has been formulated to help facilitate the stamina, endurance and performance of canines; the food contains highly digestible low ash proteins, fats and carbohydrates to allow your athletic dog to reach their full potential. In addition, supplements are included to decrease the stresses that dogs’ bodies undergo in highly competitive situations that may produce stress diarrhea. These supplements include prebiotics, externally applied probiotics and multiple fiber sources such as rice, psyllium, beet pulp, oatmeal and chicory root. Momentum also contains chelated minerals, kelp, selenium, natural antioxidants and L-carnitine. To minimize allergic reactions, corn and soy products are not used in Momentum

"In your Momentum formula one ingredient stands out as unique(or we just have not seen it in other competing performance formulas) It called, Porcine Plasma. Can you elaborate on this ingredient? "This is a very high quality source of some specific amino acids that greatly benefit the dog in muscle building and maintenance. Barry Bonds kind of stuff!"

Your "Pursuit" formula is 30% protein 20% fat mix. Again, what type of gun dog do you see this formula being fed to?  Any dog that does some level of exercise benefits from it. Even a house dog does very well on it but is just fed less. The key is how much you feed in relation to the overall weight and exercise the dog is undergoing. Less food is needed with a good 30/20 type diet or above. Ours is 95% digestible and thus you feed much less than what you are used to. Most companies are happy with an 80 percent digestible rate, thus you pay for extra calories in the dogs stool, in essence. You get what you pay for in the long run. Also, the idea a high protein causes kidney disease is incorrect," responded Dr. Tim. (According to Dr. Tim's website) "Pursuit Active Formula Dog Food has been created for dogs with a moderate to vigorous activity level. This high protein, low ash formula allows your lively dog to tap into just the right amount of energy needed throughout the day. Externally applied probiotics and prebiotics support the beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, while natural antioxidants and Optimal Vitamin Nutrition DSM® help to keep your dog’s immune system as strong as possible. Whether your dog is playing catch, jogging or herding sheep, our premium ingredients deliver tasty nutrition based on what your dog really needs to thrive. Make every day a healthy, strong day – and worry free for you – with Pursuit."


I noticed your food is one of the few on the market today that includes both PRE and PRObiotics in it's formula. What exact does this mean for the health and well-being of working gun dogs? Is it an aid against stress related diarrhea? Could you also elaborate on what causes stress diarrhea etc? "Prebiotics are starches that escape digestion in the small intestine and are used by the beneficial bacteria of the large intestine. We want to promote that. Probiotics are benficial bacteria added to the diet to stimulate the immune system of the GI tract and beyond plus they act against harmful bacteria by forcing them out, more or less. Probiotics are added to our kibble after the extrusion process to maximize their viability as the heat of extrusion can kill them. Stress diarrhea is caused by a few different factors, most notably how well conditioned the dog is, the fiber composition of the diet and the digestibility of the included starches. When a dog is working hard, the amount of stool in the colon can have a "slap" effect on the sides of the colon, thus causing irritation. This stool can also pull a lot of water along with it as it travels the colon and this leads to soft stools. Multi factored causes but diet plays a huge part in it."


On your site you also offer a topical muscle massage ointment called Algyvet. Could you envision this product being beneficial for gun dogs? "Absolutely," said Dr. Tim.  "This stuff, an athletic balm for dogs, has been widely used in the sled dog arena and I have found it to be very useful for muscle injuries."


Dr. Tim, do you have any other issues or concerns you would like to add about your dog food? Dr. Tim rounded up our interview by concluding, "Nutrition is constantly evolving and much has been learned in the past 10 years or so. There is a lot of fluff type ingredients that can be included for miracle results and I have resisted that temptation. What should be in the food, in my opinion at this date, is in there. And it is made at a plant that I trust. It took me 6 plants to find the right plant to make my recipe and what a difference that makes. That has been part of my learning about nutrition for dogs, nearly as important as some of the ingredients. Dogs are meant to be fueled by fat, and high levels of them. When we slowly bring a high fat diet into play with a dog they become more efficient in their metabolism and actually will need less food. And become stronger, have more endurance and stay much healthier."

Dr. Tim Hunt is not your average veterinarian and his dog food is not your average bear. In my own opinion, he signifies the forefront of a truly revolutionary movement in quality canine nutrition. Witnessing small companies like Dr. Tim's coming to market with realistic research, practical knowledge, quality ingredients, and scientifically backed formulas proves we might finally break the Fortune 500's falsified, kung fu like grip on the performance dog food world. The big brands should take notice that there are honest to goodness cowboys out there like Dr. Hunt who are not scared to make super premium jet fuel for canine athletes while using the the absolute, very best ingredients possible... AND while maintaining reasonable price points to do so! Not to mention, it is extremely reassuring to performance dog owners that the very food they are feeding is the result of someone who truly understands what working or sporting dogs need to become world class athletes in their own right. I personally thank Dr. Tim Hunt  for taking the time out of his busy schedule to reply to my questions. Without any doubt, it shows his commitment, passion, and professionalism. Here at northUpland that is proof positive that Dr. Tim is a high quality dogman! Thanks again Doc, we appreciate your contribution and continued help spreading the word about proper gun dog nutrition. To visit Dr. Tim's website please visit http://www.drtims.com/ Thank you


As always...if you have questions or comments feel free to drop me a line at northupland@yahoo.com Thanks for reading.


Best of Luck Out There. -Mark

What is Meal?

Meal. It doesn't sound like a very appetizing or healthy dog food ingredient. On the contrary, some forms of Meal found in dog food formulas can be an excellent addition to your dogs diet. Let's get to the bottom of what Meal really is and understand the positive and negative aspects of its inclusion in the majority of foods on the market today. As always, we boil it down to blue collar science here at northUpland and into terms we can all clearly understand, aka: High Quality Meal vs. Low Quality Meal.

High Quality Meal
Whole Meat Protein Meal: Any whole meat(identifiable meat source named on the ingredient list) as a whole meat meal is an excellent source of protein such Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Lamb Meal etc, etc. In fact, whole meat Meals are a more "potent" protein source then their own counterparts whole meat flesh form. The production of whole meat Meal starts with dehydration of clean, deboned flesh. It is then dehydrated to eliminate the moisture. Finally it is ground down into a fine meal. This all takes place prior to the ingredients being mixed and cooked into kibble. I think we can all agree Chicken is a great source of protein, but as a Meal it becomes a highly concentrated protein form. Why? Chicken, as well as all other whole, premium cut meats, are full of moisture. When dog food ingredients are cooked moisture within the Chicken meat is eliminated and the "weight" of chicken as a primary ingredient is shrunk considerably. Important note; ingredients listed and advertised on dog food bags are in PRE COOKED percentages. Chicken Meal on the other hand, has already been dehydrated and then ground down before the cooking process thus eliminating the moisture content and giving it a higher percentage of ingredients.  In other words, if Chicken Meal is listed as the first ingredient compared to just Chicken listed first, there is considerably more protein content in the Meal first formula because of the Chicken Meals' dehydrated precook state. Furthermore, Chicken Meal is more readily digestible than just Chicken. As a dog's digestive system processes Chicken Meal, it's inherit "ground" physical quality helps it breakdown in the stomach and intestines faster, thus becoming readily absorbed into the dog's system much quicker than whole chicken meat. Again, we only used Chicken as an example here but the same can be said for all other whole protein meats and meal such as Lamb, Salmon, Duck, Venison, etc.

Low "Ash" Whole Meat Protein Meals: These are considered "superior" meat protein sources. For example, Low Ash Chicken Meal consists of chicken meat and some accompanying bone, and “ash” denotes the amount of bone that's ground into the meal. The lower the ash content equates to a higher grade meal and a more pure protein source. The chicken is ground into a powder (meal) after the fat and water are removed, and the end result is a very concentrated, highly digestible protein, rich with amino acids, essential fatty acids and minerals (ash) that provide calcium and phosphorous.

High Quality "Meals" Make Great Canine Athletes.
Dewey: Five In The Bag and Still Looking For More.


Low Quality Meal
These are meals listed below are commonly used in lower grade dog food that come from "uncertain origins" and in our opinion should be avoided.  

Meat Meal: The generic term "Meat" (with no identifiable named source precluding) is highly suspicious as to actually what the meat really is! It's kinda of like fast food chains mystery meat! There are substantiated claims that Meat Meal contains more disgusting things than we would like to imagine so we will avoid writing them here.

By-Product Meal: Defined as a `meat(name source) by-product is: "The non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. Again, "anonymous"(unnamed) meat source precluding a by-product meal makes this ingredient even more ambiguous as to its origins.  


Vegetable and Grain Meal: Grain and vegetable meals are generally used in dog food to keep the cost of production low. Manufacturers use products like corn gluten meal or soybean meal as an alternative to a more costly and higher quality ingredient. Soybeans, linseed, and corn may appear as meals in pet food.  Corn Gluten Meal in particular is commonly used and is a concentrated form of protein that is very difficult to digest. Using this type of ingredient allows the food to advertise high protein content even though your dog might not actually digest or benefit from any of it.


Bone Meal: The rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. Bone Meal offers a very limited source of nutrients and is not well "defined" ingredient. Like mystery Meat Meal It goes into the suspect list!

I hope this helps shed some light on the vast differences of what Meal real is in its various forms and compositions. I realize it is a confusing retail world out there full of colorful dog food bags and the mass marketing hype that surrounds this entire industry. If you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to give me a shout. Email me at northupland@yahhoo.com or post a comment below. You have my word that I will give you my unbiased opinion. Please remember, we here at northUpland are trying to make our good gun dogs even better through proper nutrition and planned fitness. Thank you for reading my blog.

Best of Luck Out There. -Mark

Lyle Steinman On Performance

After hanging up the phone with Lyle Steinman only one word comes to mind. Passion. This dog man extudes it. Lyle's passion for breeding, training, and handling world class labrador retreivers is clearly evident. It resonates in his voice and sends a crystal clear message that luck has nothing to do with it. Hardwork, dedication, and loving what you do truly does equals success.

Lyle's accomplishments
(a.k.a. his dog man rap sheet)...

• Lyle Steinman has over 1400 AKC Master Passes and over 100 + AKC Master (MH) titled dogs
• He has qualified a record 76 dogs at the AKC Master National event.
• He has 9 dogs in the Master National Hall of Fame (New AKC title MNH ) and 17 dogs that have passed two Master Nationals to his credit.
• On September 18, 2010 he broke an AKC record for AKC Master passes in one weekend, passing 23/24 dogs at the Northwest Missouri Retriever Clubs hunt test.
• Has 12 first place Super Reteiver Series wins (including the 2007 & 2009 Crown Championships).
• Won the SRS Crown Championship in 2007 with River (2007 SRSC SRS HRCH Big Two Hearted River II MNH HOF QAA) and in 2009 with Jack (2009 SRSC 3 X SRS Fargo’s Gulf Coast Jack-Son MH QAA).
• Is the only SRS handler to ever win 1st , 2nd & 3rd place in the same event(SRS Record) and the only handler to ever have 9 dogs qualified for the top 12 at one time.
• Has put more dogs in the Top 5(41 in the Finals/ 56 in Semis) than any other handler in Super Retriever Series history.
• Qualified 4 dogs for the 2008 Crown Championship and qualified 7 dogs for the 2009 & 2010 Crown Championship (SRS Records).
• At the 2009 Super Retriever Series Crown Championship Lyle became the only handler to put three dogs in the finals. Lyle finished the 2009 SRS Crown Championship with first (Jack), second (Rebi), third (Coot), fifth (River) and sixth with (Pasha).
• Lyle’s career winnings now are over $190,000 in cash and prizes.

With a resume like that it is obvious that Lyle knows a thing or two about canine performance. I was recently fortunate to personally interview him regarding his labrador's nutrition and conditioning regiments. Lyle holds court every day at Castile Creek Kennels in Stewartsville, Missouri

When asked what brand of food he feed his labs, Lyle believes the core of his dogs performance rests solely on foods by Country Vet. Lyle has been feeding Country Vet  for close to five years. He uses their "Natural Dog Fuel" 32/20 mix to feed all his working dogs and could not say enough about its overall quality. He is a proponent of a "corn, soy, and wheat free diet" and sees Country Vet's Dog Fuel as truly a hidden gem in the vast world of large dog food manufacturers. Ingredient consistency and overall attention to formula integrity is what Lyle is most impressed about Country Vet. He is confident knowing every bag he opens for his dogs is going to be the same high quality ingredients and the exact replica of the previous bags contents. Before using Country Vet, Lyle used a larger, more well known national brand but was unhappy with their ingredient quality inconsistency which lead to adverse effects on his dogs performance. This concern arises from  larger "megamanufacturers" sourcing their ingredients from a very vast list of suppliers on the open market. Which is cause for concern for formula quality integrity. In a nutshell, if one run of the food "ingredient A" comes from a supplier with a high quality standards and the next month a different supplier who can also deliver "ingredient A" but might have lower quality control comes to market a little cheaper, they get the purchase order, etc. This is one of the biggest reasons that some dogs do very well on a certain brand/formula of food for long periods of time and then out of now where they have adverse reactions to it. Food manufacturers are NOT legally obligated to advertise this ingredient supplier change. Since switching to Country Vet it is plain to see the performance of Lyle's dogs are indeed tough to beat...and very consistent at winning big in the professional trial circuit!

When I asked Lyle about skin and coat health in conjunction with feeding Country Vet he had this to say, "My black labs look they have Armour All sprayed on them!"  I can personally atest to seeing Lyle's squadron of black labs and can verify to that statement being a dead on accurate assessment of their coat quality!

According to the Country Vet's website :
"Dog Fuel is the full spectrum natural feed source for so many people that demand a little better, a little more. We're proud to be able to provide you with choices in your pet foods. Dog Fuel is just that...another choice. So, what is so special about Dog Fuel? Great question...here's the quick answer: Dog Fuel contains all Natural Ingredients; Dog Fuel is formulated for all of your pet's life stages making it a good choice for life; Dog Fuel contains No Corn, No Soy, No Wheat,  Dog Fuel has within it nutraceutical ingredients...read about them below; Dog Fuel is an excellent source of high quality protein."

Country Vet Natural Dog Fuel (32/20)Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Oat Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherois), Pork Meal, Beet Pulp, Grain Sorghum, Poultry Liver Digest, Dried Egg, Flax Seeds, Canola Seeds, Fish Meal, Dried Brewers Yeast, Salt, L-Carnitine, Potassium Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Enterococcus Faocium, Choline Chloride, Calcium Propionate, Chicory Root, Clucosamine Hydrochloride, Dried Lecithin, Chondroltin Sulfate, Sodium Bentonite, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Methionine Complex, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacinamide, Copper Lysine Complex, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Maganese Methianine Complex, Maganous Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothonate, Biotin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Cobalt Glucoheptonate and Cobalt Carbonate.

Gaurunteed Analysis
Crude Protein (Min) 32% Crude Fat (Min) 20.0% Crude Fiber (Max) 3.0% Moisture (Max) 10.0% Calcium (Min) 2.0% Phosphorus (Min) 1.3% *Omega 6 Fatty Acids (Min) 3.0%
*Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Min) 0.6% *Glucosamine Nydrochloride (Min) 600 mg/kg *Chondroitin Sulfate (Min) 300 mg/kg L-Carnitine (Min) 200 mg/

Overall, I consider Country Vet Natural Dog Fuel a well managed food that includes quality ingredients in a formula that all working dogs of any age can greatly benefit from. I can easily recommend Country Vet Natural Dog Fuel as a great choice for your gun dog of any breed. Like other formulas free of corn, soy, and wheat, owners can expect much lower stool size. By removing low quality, grain based carbohydrates from your dogs diet his or her digesting system can burn high protein, high fat, and easily digestible carbo/fibers more completely. In my opinion, Country Vet Dog Fuel is definitely a "high octane go juice" for all hard working gun dogs from puppy hood all the way to seniors master hunters. In addition to Natural Dog Fuel, Country Vet offers a variety of other dog food formulas. I urge you to visit their home page to find out more.

After speaking about Country Vet foods, Lyle led the conversion on to food ration(portion size). Like all consummate professional trainers, he adjusts his food rations according to physical activity. Dependant on each dog's daily workout regiment, it ranges from 2 cups all the way up to 6 cups. He was particular to note that "on any given day, work load dictates the feeding of all my dogs"

As the interview continued we discussed conditioning. Lyle is as passionate about proper fitness regiments as he is about nutrition. All of his working dogs receive at minimum 15-30 minutes of roading(ATV harness workouts) a day and sometimes "two a days" depending on their energy output needs. Again, like all quality trainers, Lyle spends considerable time studying what each individual dog needs are and adjusting their condition times accordingly. In addition to road work, every dog goes through a series of 4-8 "marks" a day during trial training. This would equate to roughly 1.5 miles(at maximum) of continuous, high paced running/retreiving per day.  Again, Lyle was quick to point out that Country Vet Dog Fuel is the key to keeping his dogs in top shape with lean muscle mass and powerful frames. Lyle Steinman's Castile Creek Kennel facility rests on 40 arces of realistic waterfowl habitat. It is an impressive display of dog breeding and training professionalism. Castile Creek Kennels not only produces professional trail dogs. Lyle also boards, offers puppy preschool classes, and whelping services.

After our interview ended I walked away feeling very fortunate to have spoken with Lyle candidly about what makes his dogs great.  Without doubt, he is a master of fine details and studies his dogs like a book each and every day. I am gratefully to have met somebody of Lyle's high caliber who is extremely down to earth and very personable.  I clearly understand why he is one of the very best in the business. I thank him tremendously for helping me spread the word about proper gun dog nutrition.

As always, please do not hesitate to post a comment or contact me directly at northupland@yahoo.com with any of your questions or concerns. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Best of luck out there. -Mark  

Images used in this article are courtesy of Castile Creek Kennels and Country Vet Pet Food.

Ronnie Smith on Performance

The Smith family name is synonymous in the bird dog world for many reasons. For generations they have trained some of the finest dogs that consistently challenge for field trail champions and produce superior finished dogs for the foot hunter. Ronnie Smith carries on his family lineage in a very proud tradition. According to his website "Through generations of hard work and dedication, Ronnie Smith Kennels has developed a trusted and proven name in the bird dog industry. The Smith family has a history of raising and training fine bird dogs. Ronnie’s late father, Ronnie Smith Sr., was a well-respected dog trainer. Ronnie’s uncle, Delmar Smith has received the honor of being inducted into the Field Trial Hall of Fame. Ronnie and his cousins, Rick and Tom Smith, continue the Smith family tradition. Bird dogs are not only a business for the Smiths, they are a passion and a way of life. Our training format brings dogs' inherent prey drive to a pinnacle and then begins to mold that natural instinct in to the desired behavior of a confident, mannerly bird dog. Through the development of conditioned responses and learned behavior we are able to produce dogs that are proficient in heeling off lead, handling on cue, and confidently working birds."

I recently had the great fortune to interview Ronnie via email for northUpland. His response to my questions regarding performance, nutrition, and conditioning should be considered an invaluable resource. Here is Ronnie's round up on what makes his gun dogs great!

Following quotes by Ronnie Smith...

"We feed solely Purina Pro Plan Performance. In the summertime, we train all breeds of upland pointing and flushing dogs and in the winter we are guiding hunts in some of the most rigorous country in the state of Texas. We've had great success with this feed with all breeds and all physical requirements."

Pro Plan Performance formula is by the far the top selling food for sporting dogs  in the United States. It is a 30/20 mix, meaning it contains 30% protein and 20% fat. These are considered optimum percentages for working dogs of any breed and age. In fact, Pro Plan Performance is considered an "all life stages formula" meaning it can be fed from to puppies all the way seniors. Click on the bag image for complete info directly from Purina.

When asked about food rations(portion size) Ronnie went on to say...

"Obviously we are constantly monitoring the body condition of each of our dogs. When they are under physical strain, they will need a few more calories to their diet. Brittanys under high physical demands may need as much as 4 1/2 cups, while a maintenance ration may be 2 cups. A high strung pointer who is active in the kennel and running hard in the field may need as much as 6 1/2 cups to maintain perfect body condition. A maintenance ration for a less active pointer may be 3 cups. Bottom line is that you need to monitor your dog's condition and the physical strains he is under and adjust your feeding plan accordingly."

In a follow up question about conditioning and fitness regiments, Ronnie responded...

"Our exercise programs vary. Some of the tools we use to get our bird dogs in shape for a season of guiding hunts include running, swimming, and roading." (Terminology: "Roading" is an effective form of strength training. It is done by safely harnessing dogs off an ATV using an outrigger and allowing them to naturally run alongside and pull against the ATV in motion) "We find the more fit our dogs are going in to season, the fewer injures they tend to have during season.We believe in order to get the best performance with a dog, you have to have them both physically and mentally fit. They have to be thinking birds as soon as their feet hit the ground and their bodies have to be able to withstand the rigors of the country and the demands upon it."

 In my own brief dealings with Ronnie during this interview process I can honestly say he is an genuine as they come. He was extremely receptive to my questions and open to helping out all follow hunters get the most from their dogs! Ronnie is a stand up guy and his reputation as a first class dogman is true. I thank him tremendously for his time.

Ronnie Smith Kennels is known the world over for producing quality bird dogs while maintaining the utmost of professionalism. If any of my readers are looking for a top notch trainer, look no further. His fees are modest, but rest assured, his facility, training skills, and attention to making good bird dogs great are all first class. Also, Ronnie and his cousin, Rick Smith, travel the country every year during their very popular seminar series. Click here for a list of dates and locations. In the end,  I very much enjoy Ronnie's training motto "A dog is like a book, just read!" It is very simple, straight forward, and to the "point"! Yep, that pun is completely intended!


Thank you for reading my blog and please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Leave a comment or email me directly at northupland@yahoo.com


Best of luck out there. -Mark

Images used in this post courtesy of Ronnie Smith Kennels and Nestle Purina.  

Pre & Post Joint Surgery Tips

I was recently asked this question via email. Hopefully some of my other blog readers dealing with a dog preparing, undergoing, or rehabing from surgery can benefit from some of these helpful tips.

Question: "My Brittany is getting ready to have hip relocation surgery. Do you have any diet recommendations for joint healing?"

Having your faithful hunting companion and best bud go "under the knife" is a stressful situation for both of you!

Response: If your Brit is in good overall health going into the surgery I recommend the dog staying on the same diet. I believe stress from a food change close to surgery could put undue strain on your dogs immune system, which needs to be at full strength to devote to the overall healing process. Even if your current dog food does contain some Glucosamine/Chondroitin. I would add at minimum 750mg per 50lbs of dog per day of a liquid Gluc/MSM/Chon supplement. Nutri Vet makes a great product and the dog gets the most bang for your buck! Liquid supplements are the best bet because dogs digest and metabolize liquids much more completely than pill form supplements. Liquid can be poured over his regular food making it very easy to administer. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of this formula will help dramatically in the healing process and help to lubricate/condition the ligaments and tendons post surgery as well as slow down degenerative issues that will certainly arise in the future.

The biggest post op concern is proper rehabilitation. Take it extremely slow. Even when you think(and the dog acts like) he or she is totally healed they probably are not. Dogs have a way of masking still nagging injuries. It is during this time they are most likely to injure another joint because they are favoring the injury or possibly re-aggravating the surgically repaired joint. The next biggest post op concern is the dog putting on weight following surgery due to inactivity. Be VERY watchful of food ration/portion size and limit treats to those very low in calories. I recommend high protein/low cal treats like pure dried meats(chicken, duck, buffalo) that are packed with nutrients to help in muscle/tendon/ligament development.

Water based physical therapy is low impact and increases the chances of the joint healing correctly. Seek out a clinic that offers it!

I hope these suggestions help. As always, listen to what your vet has to say and follow their advice close. They will have the hands-on experience of seeing exactly what is best for your dog. But always be open to second opinions. Just like human surgery...this is serious business!
Best of luck out there. -Mark

Canine Hypothermia

Temperatures are continuing to plummet across the upper Midwest. Old Man Winter is once again rearing his ugly head as snow storms continue to batter us from what seems like every direction. Here in southern Wisconsin there are still 15 days before the bird hunting season closes for yet another fateful year. As hunters, we expose our dogs to the bitterest of natural elements as fall turns to winter. During this time of year overeager owners can expectantly place gun dogs in harms way.  Canine hypothermia must remain a constant concern to ensure your faithful four legged hunting partner runs astray from it's deathly grip. 

Hypothermia is the lowering of the dog's core temperature and occurs when a dog's temperature falls abnormally low. The extent of the injuries varies with the body temperature and duration of hypothermia. Hypothermia can be fatal. Mild hypothermia causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, but if the time and severity of heat loss continues, heart rate and blood pressure decline and cardiac arrhythmia's or cardiac arrest can occur. Severe hypothermia leads to respiratory problems, lethargy, lack of coordination, paralysis, and possibly even death.

The first acute symptom of hypothermia is shivering(OK, that's pretty obvious that he or she is cold!)When a dog shivers, there is an increase in muscle activity, which increases heat production. At the same time, his blood circulation shifts away from his legs and feet to his internal organs. Other symptoms include slow and shallow breathing, weakness, and listlessness. If your dog is excessively "shaking his coat off" this is also an early sign of hypothermia. If your dog's normal rhythm of hunting starts to involves these abnormal stoppages "to shake it off" this is the earliest telltale sign that the cold is starting to get to them!  It is time to start moving back to the truck quickly.



Frigid Days Make Your Canine Athlete Work Even Harder

 It is also important to realize during the cold months a dogs metabolism increases. As I posted last year in "Cold Dog, New Tricks" The general rule of thumb is for every 10 degree drop in average outside temperature increase your dog's food rations up 6%. Keeping your dog well feed with a high protein/high fat diet during the winter hunting season can provide additional support for warding off adverse effects of the cold. Bitter cold also brings dryness to the atmosphere where a dogs breathe gets zapped and moisture is evaporated by zero humidity conditions quickly. With every breathe brings a loss of water to your dog. Much more than even that hot humid day chasing quail for you southern hunters. Getting a hard charging gun dog to drink in the stone cold winter is usually tough to do. Even though he is not begging for it, it certainly doesn't mean he doesn't need it! To get a dog that won't drink to come to water, grab him gently by the muzzle and spray just a few squirt of water down his throat. I don't mean cold water either but nice warm water from a bottle that has been kept tucked in your vest nearest your own heat source. This is when the training in the off season to accept a water bottle comes in handy! Keep in mind, a working dog will need at minimum 1-2 ounces of water every 20 minutes to stay properly hydrated. Keeping your dog hydrated is not the only thing that should concern you. It is also very helpful to carry some treats in your vest pocket as well. A dog eating a small ration of treats(make then small, soft, and easily eaten) during a cold hunt will help their body produce internal heat from digestion. Keeping them watered and munching on a treat every 20 minutes or so will help ward of the dreaded early signs of hypothermia. If you let your dog succumb to hypothermia you have nobody to blame but yourself.  There is NO bird in this world worth injuring your dog over! If you do notice these early signs get your dog into a heated vehicle as quickly as possible and back to a warm house as soon as possible. If the dog is showing signs of advanced hypothermia(lethargy, stumbling, excessive/uncontrollable shaking) go to the nearest emergency vet!

I hope these tips help this winter season. Canine hypothermia is not to be taken lightly. Imagine if you are getting chilly following your dog in pursuit of frosty pheasants or grouse...you can assume your four legged hunting buddy is feeling the effects of the cold as well.

Best of luck out there. -Mark

Gun Dog Holiday Gifts

'Tis the season! The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, hope's of St. Nick soon will be there...

With the holiday season now upon us, shopping lists should include some gear, treats, and toys for your faithful four legged hunting buddy. Here are few great gifts that have been personally "tested" by us and highly recommend this holiday season!


Top 5 Picks This Holiday Season...

Avery: Sporting Dog Bed. This one is a must if you are looking for a new dog nest for your best bud to snuggle down in this winter. Sporting a durable, waterproof outershell it is perfect for your muddy retriever or filthy flusher! Available at Gander Mountain store or website. Great Value at only $39.99!

Zukes: Various Soft Treats. All made with quality natural ingredients right here in the USA. Any of their wide selection of assorted soft, tasty treats will make your gun dog one happy(and healthy) elf! Available at PETCO stores or website.

Lion Country: Leather Feel Collar. Super durable and comes in wide variety of bright, blazing colors and a wide selection of sizes. Plus, at $5.95, it the best value for such a high quality, long lasting collar. Available only at Lion Country store or website

Dogswell: Dried meat treats. A wide variety of meats to choose from all packed with protein and healthy nutrients. Each of them is a delectable edible plus added supplements. Guaranteed to make your dog wag has tail and chomp 'em down at the same time getting a nice healthy serving of wellness improving morsels! Available at PETCO store or website.

Mud River: Insulated Kennel Cover. Keep your gun dog warm to and from the hunting grounds. This cover is simply the best made and most functional on the market today and fits most brands of plastic kennels. Available at Gander Mountain store or online.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday and New Year! May your 2011 be filled with Happy, Healthy and Hard Hunting Gun Dogs!

Best of luck out there. -Mark