across a friend exercising his three black labradors. They are all kennelled, picking-up dogs that work hard during the season. They looked terrific: fit and lean, with glossy coats. The shine on their fur was such that I asked if they had just been groomed. “I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never brushed any of them,” my friend replied ruefully. I suspect that his dogs are far from alone. How many of us brush or groom our dogs as often as the so-called experts advise? I know I
