Someone asked me something today and I didnt know what to say (true....me without comment :)  ) They wanted to know if standing at the peg all day would damage their dogs ears and if he (owner) had to wear ear protectors all day then what affect was the noise having on his dogs ears? Anyone know?

I'm sure watching a programme Desmond Morris years ago that dogs can close off their inner ear to noise they don't want to listen too. I used to feel sorry for a friends dog who had to listen to mad loud music at his parties but the dog would be curled up asleep fine.

That must be what happens when we call them and they are chasing rabbits, then?

To be honest, I wouldnt be surprised if the anatomy of a dog isn't to disimilar to that of humans, so standing next to weapons fire wont be a healthy activity for the dog.

That said, I would be very interested to see your invention for dog-defenders :-)

Aren't the dogs supposed to sit behind the guns? I know that when my ex used to shoot he either had the dogs that far in front they weren't affected by the gun, or behind him, depending on who was working. I've only ever been on one shoot, and I was beating and was so kn*ckered that I didn't notice ;-)

To answer your question, My old 12 year old golden was used as a picking up dog, standing well back from the guns, he is as deaf as a post. I have 2 ess's who are 8 and 6, the 8 year old is also going deaf and I can see the 6 year old is going that way too. If we shoot with no ear protection our hearing diminishes also. None of mine stand in direct line with the guns but way back and that is still loud, their hearing is far smore sensitive than ours. Ear defenders would be a good idea but unfortunately a dog that is trained would not be able to hear whistle commands.

Actually that is not strictly true; ear defenders now are very sophisticated and you can get them "graded" to block out some sounds not all otherwise of course potentially PPE could be the opposite............. whether or not these would be practical for a dog is of course another question.