Gundog hereditary diseases are the product of decades of selective breeding for pure-bred, pedigree dogs. After generations of using closely related animals, it is hardly surprising that many of our…
Gundogs
The Queen’s gundogs: royal retrievers
The Queen’s gundogs are respected throughout the shooting world and Her Majesty is their keenest supporter. Elizabeth Walton finds out about the dogs The Queen first learned to work in…
Ben Fogle: our love of labradors
Ben Fogle is not alone in his love of labradors. Every year, they top the most popular breed polls around the world. So in recognition of the world’s favourite dog,…
Gundog schools: private education for pups
The perfect gundog is made not born. So send them to the best gundog school.
Bitch or dog: which is best?
Bitch or dog is a question all dog owners must face. David Tomlinson considers whether one really is better than the other, or if it’s just down to personal preference.…
Gundog puppy schools: training your pup
When to start training a gundog puppy is the million-dollar question. Janet Menzies believes that putting in the groundwork to establish the basics will pay dividends in the field later…
The retrieving instinct in pointers and setters
The retrieving instinct comes naturally to our pointers and setters, but over time we have supressed it, relying instead on our spaniels and labradors. David Tomlinson encourages training pointers and…
Gundog retirement: looking after an old dog
Gundog retirement seems to come far too early, and knowing how to care for an elderly dog is crucial when their working lives come to an end. David Tomlinson shares…
Outbreeding: essential for gundog survival?
Outbreeding could be critical for gundog survival. As accustomed as we are to having springer spaniels, labradors and other such familiar gundogs around, we fail to realise that they are…
Field trials and tribulations
Field trials are unique sporting competitions. What other sport is open to both sexes of any age, professional or amateur, is growing in popularity, requires little personal fitness and receives…