Have you a gun dog breed? Do you need a dog coat?

We have a Labrador and as much as she’s never seen the sight or sound of a gun she certainly has all the natural instincts of a gun dog. So when choosing her coat I did bear these instincts in mind amongst other things. 

So what are these instincts of a gun dog and what makes in relevant in the choosing of a dog coat?

Well let me explain…

Popular Gundog breeds

There are different types of gun dog breeds and they can mainly be split into 3 different types. The instincts of these different groups do make your choice of dog coat slightly different.

Retrievers – popular examples include the popular Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever & Flat Coated Retriever

Flushing Dogs – popular examples include the Working Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel and Welsh Springer Spaniel

Pointers & Setters – popular examples include the English Setter and the English Pointer

Gundog Instincts & needs

Retrievers

Retrievers can remain calm until directed to chase or retrieve. If this is trained into the dog of course! This is true of many pet Retrievers and they also stand tall regarding leg length. Some such as Labradors have a dual layer coat with the underlayer providing waterproof protection, developed to keep them warm when retrieving in water.

Have you noticed that a Labrador will look up if you do? But then they remain eyes on the ground from the instinct to retrieve the “hunt”?

The retriever needs for a dog coat are to keep their coat dry and prevent matting, particularly in longer haired breeds such as the golden or flat haired. Here a “rug” style waterproof coat is ideal such as the one shown below on a Golden Retriever.

Spaniels

Spaniels cover a fair amount of ground and are quick in their movements. They will generally hunt out anything from a scent and will happily go in and out of hedgerows, through muddy puddles and not stop at anything to follow that scent. They sit lower to the ground than their other gun dog friends and have a longer coat.

Spaniels are one breed that really benefit from some level of underbelly cover. As much as this isn’t critical and a rug style coat will cover the majority, the underbelly is an area that takes a lot of cleaning so any extra cover makes it easier for you!

Both the coats shown below are ideal for a Spaniel (or Cockapoo - nearly a Spaniel!) as both offer coverage of the front area of the chest but allow for toileting at the back end.

Our underbelly dog coats are wipe clean too making it a coat that doesn’t need washing every time.

The benefit of the water-resistant fleece is that they can keep these on for longer than most coats, perfect for a dog that spends a lot of time outdoors.

Pointers and Setters

Both Pointers and Setters can cover a lot of ground whilst out for a walk but are like their Retriever friends as they are generally longer legged. Their coats can vary on the specific breed so some have a longer coat that again can make for some serious cleaning up after a walk. Setters generally fit this description so a coat with more coverage can be beneficial (see Spaniels).

Pointers are similar to Retrievers and a rug style coat is beneficial here also such as this quilted one below.

Many breeds even within these categories can benefit from something different. The important thing over all this is that your dog is comfortable and the coat delivers the benefits to you that you require it to.

If in doubt of the best coat for your own and your dog’s needs, please get in touch by messaging from the button below right or dropping us an email at info@treatyourdog.co.uk.