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Wednesday, September 30th, 2026

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How to keep an elderly sporting dog going well into the golden years

One of the hardest things about being a dog owner is watching how rapidly they age once past their prime years. While total retirement is an option, a better bet is to keep aging dogs active and healthy through a healthy diet, proper exercise, and veterinary care. (Contributed photo)

The hardest thing to deal with as a dog owner is how short their lives are. The puppy stage is a mixture of fun and frustration, but it doesn’t last long. Middle age is amazing, especially for hunting dogs. The prime years in the field or in the duck blind are really what makes it so special to own a bird dog.
Then, before you know it, the gray shows up around the muzzle and the snappy movements turn into something a little more deliberate and pained.

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