While we will never tire of championing all things British in fieldsports, there is a wealth of gundog breeds around the world that give our home-bred stock a run for…
Gundogs
Training a gundog – the theory and practice
In theory, you can train a gundog by using a manual. In practice, the dog’s behaviour won’t be textbook. Be patient and creative with your teaching, suggests Janet Menzies…
Alternative gundogs: a puppy for shoot or sofa
So what are alternative gundogs? One of the soundest pieces of advice you will get when looking for a gundog puppy is to buy one from working stock. Conversely, if…
The best working dog beds: how to make the right choice
Thoughts on dog beds My dogs are always keen to sample new dog beds. During the year we have a number of short-stay canine visitors who invariably bring their beds…
Essential gundog handling kit: No bells, just whistles
I was recently asked what is essential gundog handling kit. I thought about the question for 30 seconds before replying: a slip lead and a whistle. I’ve now given the…
Famous sporting dogs you need to know
Matthew Dennison charts some of the most famous sporting dogs through history, from spaniels to cockers, who have made a name for themselves in the field. Popular sires have had…
How the dog show ring has evolved over the past 160 years
It’s a curious thing, but there’s clearly something addictive about dog showing. For the majority of dog owners, showing is of little or no interest, but there’s a considerable number…
Could avoiding breeding from popular studs improve your dog’s life?
Over time the number of dogs are being put down before retirement has been increasing. Is this due to the gene pool from selected studs that perform well in the…
The dos and don’ts of training gundog puppies
Eve Jones talks to the experts to find out the secret to training gundog puppies – from choosing the right puppy, to settling them in at home and the patience…
Inbreeding and line-breeding in working dogs
There is danger in breeding working dogs too closely, so a pedigree full of FTCh is not necessarily a good thing