If you want your dogs to be sharp on Opening Day, you’ll have to run them in the summer. But hot temperatures and high humidity can make it difficult. A gun dog’s drive may override his ability to know he’s overheating, so it’s up to every owner and handler to keep their dogs safe.  

When it comes to optimizing performance, professional athletes know the importance of healthy muscles. The same applies to our canine athletes. Whether your sporting dog is a hardcore waterfowler or a big-running bird dog, maintaining healthy, lean muscle will help ensure years of performance.

Hard charging sporting dogs—like English pointers and setters, Labrador and Golden retrievers, English field cockers and Boykins, the dozens of versatile breeds among others — are wired to work. Their work requires fuel appropriate to their exercise level. Some dogs need fuel for quick, intense bursts of activity while others need endurance to help them along their half or full day’s work.