Ep. 99 Working Dog Fundamentals with Karl Gunzer — Nutrition, Training & Hunt-Test Basics

Karl Gunzer, Director of Purina’s Sporting Dog Group, joins Jeff and Carson to trace his path from Montana duck hunter to California trainer to industry leader—and to lay out clear, field-tested basics for keeping a retriever healthy, steady, and ready for season. We also talk California’s under-appreciated waterfowl culture and public access opportunities that still produce strong hunts.

Episode highlights

• Fuel that works: why performance diets (e.g., 30/20) prioritize fat as a dog’s primary energy source—and how that translates to stamina in the field.
• Who feeds what: Pro insights from major championships where a large majority of starters are on Pro Plan.
• Grain-free vs. science: Purina’s take on grains, “novel proteins,” and choosing formulas based on evidence—not marketing.
• Feeding for performance: why Karl favors one evening meal before work, plus simple hydration tips like floating kibble.
• Weather & calories: how cold snaps change energy needs (rule-of-thumb adjustments).
• Tests decoded: the real differences between field trials and hunt tests, and why both can make better gun dogs.
• Why Purina backs conservation: connecting dog nutrition, rice country, and on-the-ground habitat work with groups like CWA.

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