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 question more consideration, but my opinion remains unchanged. If you have these two vital pieces of equipment, then there’s not…
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 an unhealthy level of input into the gene pool of our sporting breeds, which may be damaging. Could outcrossing be…
The discussion over what is the best labrador colour will probably never end. BLACK IN THE FIELD, YELLOW IN THE SHOW RING Ask those in the shooting field what the best labrador colour is and the answer is generally black. Whereas in the show-ring judges like yellow. Fox-red labs are…
Many of us dream of owning a dog that will obey your every command and hang on your every movement however it often seems not to happen and all we see is our canine companion vanishing over the distant horizon. David Tomlinson asks the question whether the trainers are the…
This month we look at how to turn your puppy into a gundog, the tactics you need to improve your pigeon shooting, Sir Johnny Scott waxes lyrical over sighthounds and Rory Knight-Bruce celebrates the joys of the point-to-point; beer tent, betting and banter. We investigate why pike fishing is enthralling…
It’s not often that you see pensioners in the shooting field – canine I mean, not human – as shooting is, for a dog, hard work. Many of us hope that our dogs will carry on working until they are 12, perhaps even 13, but the harsh truth is that…
