There is no way around it; linked to the phenomenon of "time flying" is our dog's age, so eventually we're all going to be faced with caring for and working with older dogs. But just because our dog is showing signs of age doesn't mean his hunting days are over. With special attention there still can be some good, productive seasons ahead.

Furthermore, the special attention I mention is really nothing new or different, only a renewed awareness and sensitivity to the normal concerns relating to health care, feeding, exercise and training of any hunting dog. So let's see how we might help the old duffer through another season or two.

What's old?
The term "geriatric" used to identify individuals who require special, age-related care has somewhat ambiguous parameters, because of so many contributing factors.

The saying, "You're as old as you feel," pretty well holds true with dogs.

One dog might be termed geriatric at five years while a littermate may not until eight years or older, depending on the individual. Years alone don't determine this status; genetics and environment, along with past health care, work, stress, injuries and many other factors contribute to one's being classed as geriatric.

Having said that, there are charts that bracket when we might expect old Bowser to start his slide based on size and age: medium dogs (21 to 50 lb): nine to 11 years, and large dogs (51 to 90 lb): seven to 10 years. I'm sure these averages were gathered from the general population, but they should hold pretty true for gun dogs, as well. To give you a rough idea, at present the general dog population is estimated at over 51 million, and studies also show nearly one-third of these dogs are over 10 years old. This means that, statistically speaking and based on age, there are over 15 million crotchety old codgers grumbling around kennels and homes across the country…maybe a good day of hunting is just what they need to get 'em back on track!

Proper care
Sooner or later we're all going to be depending on older dogs to some extent. We hope we've taken good care of our dogs throughout their lives--not only health care, but also by providing proper exercise, housing, and nutrition. If this is the case, we've assured ourselves of top performance in the short term while also better positioning our dog for a healthier and longer life.

Studies at Nestle Purina PetCare have concluded that dogs keep in correct body condition throughout their lives live on average 1.8 years longer and during their life are far healthier day to day compared to peers who are overweight.

But now we're closing in on hunting season, so what can we do?

• Start with a trip to your veterinarian. Ask that your dog be checked over thoroughly, and be sure to let your vet know you are planning on beginning an exercise program and later actually hunting your dog. Your vet will give your dog a good going over, alert you to findings, and provide a general opinion of your dog's condition, in addition to bringing vaccinations and parasite control up to date.