Taking your dog on their first shoot day is a milestone moment, but it’s crucial to set them up for success. The right first experience can shape their confidence and work ethic, while a poorly managed introduction can create long-term issues. In this blog, we’ll explore why patience and careful planning are key when introducing …
Your Dog’s First Day on a Shoot: Setting Them Up for Success Read More »
When most people think about training a gundog, the first thing that often comes to mind is retrieving. Whether it’s watching a dog dash across a field to bring back a dummy or fetch a bird during a shoot, retrieving can look like the pinnacle of gundog work. But here’s the truth: retrieving is only …
Training Doesn’t Equal Retrieving: Why Gundog Training is About So Much More Read More »
At 9 months old, Sorrel is thriving and blossoming into a truly wonderful young dog. Weighing in at 15.3kg, she is now the biggest of our girls, both in size and personality. Despite her stature, she’s an absolute sweetheart with a gentle, affectionate nature that makes her a joy to be around. Sorrel has transitioned …
As our beloved dogs age, it’s natural to see changes in their physical capabilities. Stiff joints, a little more grey around the muzzle, and a slower pace are all signs that our companions are entering their senior years. However, this doesn’t mean it’s time for them to hang up their working boots! In fact, continuing …
The Importance of Continuing Training with Senior Dogs: Keeping Minds and Bodies Active Read More »
In the world of driven game shooting in the UK, where pheasants, partridges, and other gamebirds are driven towards a line of Guns by beaters, the peg dog plays a vital, yet often underappreciated, role. A peg dog is more than just a companion at the peg; they are a highly trained, reliable partner whose …
The Role of a Peg Dog: The Steady Companion of Driven Shoots Read More »
Walked-up shooting, also known as rough shooting, is a beloved form of game shooting in the UK, Characterised by a more informal and natural approach compared to driven shooting. In walked-up shoots, small groups of Guns walk across the terrain, flushing gamebirds from cover as they go, often accompanied by a team of highly trained …
The Role of a Walked-Up Shooting Dog: An Essential Companion for Upland Shoots Read More »
Driven game shooting is a time-Honoured tradition in the UK, with pheasant, partridge, and other game birds being flushed towards positioned Guns. Among the critical elements that make these shoots successful is the role of beating dogs. These specially trained dogs assist the beating team by flushing gamebirds from thick cover, ensuring the smooth operation …
The Role of a Beating Dog: Essential Partners in Driven Game Shooting Read More »
In the world of game shooting, the picking-up dog plays a crucial role, ensuring that all game is retrieved efficiently, with particular focus on finding injured animals as quickly as possible. These dogs are not only valuable for their ability to locate dead game but are indispensable when it comes to recovering injured birds—often referred …
The Role of the Picking Up Dog in Game Shooting Read More »
When we think of working Gundog breeds—Labradors, Spaniels, Pointers, and the like—we often picture them in the field, eagerly hunting, retrieving, or flushing out game. These dogs have been bred for generations with specific jobs in mind, so it’s no surprise that providing them with work is essential for their mental health and well-being. But …
The Role of Work in a Gundog’s Life: Why Jobs and Structure Matter in Training Read More »
Gundog breeds, such as Labradors, Spaniels, and Retrievers, are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and work ethic. Bred over centuries for specific tasks like retrieving game and working in partnership with hunters, these dogs have an innate drive to work and a deep need for mental and physical stimulation. This makes regular training not just …
