Gundog dogs: adult

Gundogs were originally bred to find and retrieve game, and today make active, people-focused companions. Exercise, coat care and health needs vary widely across the group — from a Cocker Spaniel's daily brush to a Labrador's weekly one.

Example breeds in this group: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla.

Exercise needs vary hugely across the group — from an hour a day for a Cocker Spaniel to well over two for a working-bred Labrador or Vizsla — and a few conditions turn up often enough in UK research to be worth a routine word with your vet.

• Published exercise guidance for this group ranges from up to an hour a day (Cocker Spaniel, Clumber Spaniel) to more than two hours a day (Labrador, Golden Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla) — the Kennel Club also warns against throwing fetch toys for dogs with known joint problems.

  Source: Exercise for dogs, PDSA

• Hip dysplasia is a commonly inherited joint problem in several gundog breeds — BVA names Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Hungarian Vizsla among breeds it screens for the condition from one year old by X-ray.

  Source: BVA/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme, BVA

• UK primary-care research found English Cocker Spaniels had substantially higher odds of ear discharge, dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), gum disease and being overweight than other dogs, which the authors partly link to the breed's ear shape.

  Source: English Cocker Spaniels under primary veterinary care in the UK: disorder predispositions and protections, Canine Medicine and Genetics (O'Neill et al.), 2024

• The same UK research base found Labrador Retrievers had close to three times the odds of osteoarthritis of other dogs, alongside higher odds of obesity, ear infection and skin inflammation — reasons a yearly weight and joint check earn their place.

  Source: Disorder predispositions and protections of Labrador Retrievers in the UK, Scientific Reports (Pegram et al.), 2021