Real-world veterinary wisdom for shepherd and herding dog owners. 25 years of hands-on experience caring for working Border Collies and farm dogs.
Look, I’ve been a country vet for over two decades now. I’ve seen fads come and go, watched miracle cures turn out to be snake oil, and learned more from the farmers and their dogs than any textbook ever taught me.
This site isn’t about theory. It’s about what actually works when you’re standing in a muddy field at 6am with a limping Collie and a lambing season that won’t wait.
Practical health advice that doesn’t require a veterinary degree to understand. I translate the science into plain English because that’s what working dog owners need.
Real experiences from a practice that sees over 500 herding dogs every year. Not laboratory conditions - actual farmyard conditions with mud, sheep, and dogs that won’t sit still for an examination.
Honest opinions about treatments, products, and protocols. Some of my views have changed over the years, and I’m not afraid to admit when I got something wrong.
Mostly, I write for the people I see every day:
I won’t waste your time with waffle. Every article here comes from real cases, real outcomes, and real lessons learned - sometimes the hard way. When I don’t know something, I’ll say so. When the evidence is mixed, I’ll tell you that too.
After 25 years, I’ve learned that the best veterinary advice is honest veterinary advice.
A veterinary guide to annual health checkups for German Shepherds, Border Collies, and other herding breeds — what matters, what gets missed, and how to make the most of your yearly appointment.
Hypothyroidism in shepherds and collies is commonly over-diagnosed and simultaneously missed. Dr. Robert Hayes explains why thyroid testing is harder than it looks and how to actually interpret results.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus is one of the most feared emergencies in large shepherd breeds. Here's what it is, who's at risk, and what the evidence says about prevention.
A frank assessment of the evidence behind glucosamine, fish oil, green-lipped mussel, and other joint supplements marketed for herding breeds — what works, what probably doesn't, and what to prioritise.
Shepherd Health Journal is written by Dr. Robert Hayes, BVetMed, MRCVS, GPCert(SAM). A country veterinarian in Herefordshire with over two decades treating working Border Collies and farm dogs across rural Britain. No ivory tower theories here - just practical advice that actually works.
About Dr. Hayes