By David DiBenedetto

This week we’re heading north to Nova Scotia for our F&S Gun Dog of the Week. Fittingly, it’s a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever owned by Douglas Blades.

These dogs are bred for the heavy waters and rocky shores and are adept at tolling, which, I’m told, is essentially frolicking along the shoreline to attract ducks. Here’s how Doug put it:

By David DiBenedetto

I’ll do just about anything to insure the health of my dog. (If you have any doubts, just click here for documented proof.) I’m religious about heartworm pills, flea and tick treatment, vaccinations, and so on. In fact, I enjoy our yearly Vet appointment even if Pritchard doesn’t.

But recently I stumbled upon some pet advice that even I don’t follow. According to the L.A. Times, dog owners should brush their pet’s teeth every other day. Here’s what a Vet had to say to the newspaper.

Veterinary dentists recommend brushing pets' teeth every other day for optimal dental health. Pet toothbrushes come in different sizes, depending on the size of the mouth…It is imperative that you use veterinary toothpaste since pets will swallow the toothpaste, and regular paste for people can cause severe stomach upset. Besides, they make salmon, beef, chicken and malt flavor, which could actually help to make teeth brushing a more pleasant experience for everyone.

By David DiBenedetto

Okay, folks. Here's another installment of the F&S Reader Gun Dog series. Looks like we’ll be posting one dog a week for the near future as the e-mails keep flooding in. No doubt you are all passionate about your dogs, and with good reason.

Today we’re going to South Dakota to highlight Ben Bainbridge’s dog, Lexi.

By David DiBenedetto