The weather outside may be frightful, but nothing will convince our gundogs to stay at home. As the snow continues to fall, cancelling sporting days and putting the 4x4s to…
Gundogs
The Field’s Christmas gift guide for dogs
The sporting sort are easy to please at Christmas – a new bit of kit is guaranteed to go down a treat. And pampered pooches will be indulged this season…
The name game: how to name a gundog
The name of your shooting companion deserves a certain amount of thought. Human names, gunmakers and gamebirds are all popular choices, though each have their pitfalls. Follow David Tomlinson’s advice…
Crossbreed gundogs: the day of the crossbreed?
It seems that pedigrees could have had their day. Crossbreeds are all the rage and now they are starting to turn up in the line. But do the crossbreed gundogs…
Dalmatian health problems: spot the difference
One ground-breaking project has nearly eliminated dalmatian health problems, though breeders are refusing to accept the outcrossed dogs. Surely health should be more important than breed purity, asks David Tomlinson.…
Grooming a spaniel: the hair of the dog
Grooming a spaniel properly is essential, as their long hair will coat the carpet and attract and trap dirt on a shoot day. David Tomlinson has taken radical action and…
The Field Gundog Awards 2017 winners and highly commended
The Field Gundog Awards 2017, in association with Skinner’s Pet Foods, was met with the enthusiasm and variety we expected of Field readers. From the finest companion to smalls, to…
How to rescue a gundog
There are many good dogs out there looking for good homes, but some of them have gundog training. You may not get a field trial champion, as David Tomlinson explains,…
Flatcoated retriever: the flatcoat’s fatal flaw
Infamous as the Edwardian country gentleman’s companion, these days the flatcoated retriever is eclipsed by the upstart labrador. Its enthusiasts remain but the flatcoats tragic susceptibility to cancer must be…
How to get a gundog steady to game
Learning how to get a gundog steady to game is one of the greatest challenges for amateur dog handlers. David Tomlinson offers his advice on hares, deer, sheep and everything…