Retrievers don’t have to be labradors. The flatcoat was the Downton Abbey gundog and Edwardian gentleman’s favourite retriever. Every 10 years for the past four decades a friend has bought…
David Tomlinson
To breed or not to breed? Or should you pick a puppy?
It’s a conversation anyone who has travelled in a gun bus will be familiar with. “That’s a nice-looking bitch you’ve got there. Are you planning to breed from her?” “Funny…
What food is poisonous to dogs?
As a general rule, dogs are pretty robust and can eat most things in moderation without any issues. However, the list of foods that are toxic or poisonous to dogs…
Sporting dog: German longhaired pointers
Many HPRs excel at hunting and pointing but fall short at retrieving. German longhaired pointers are superb at all three. David Tomlinson thinks these pointers are magical.
Gundog collars: options in canine neckwear
Do working dogs have to wear a collar? Yes, it is a legal requirement for dogs in public places to wear a collar, with details of their owner. In that…
Choosing a name for your dog
Choosing a name for your dog can be tricky. But here are some useful tips to give your dog a name they can be proud of. Some names simply suit…
The snipe: A fascinating bird
Bel Chapman’s summing up of the snipe is hard to better: ‘The most shifty and capricious of all gamebirds – here today, gone tomorrow,’ he noted in his book Bird-Life…
Bloat in dogs – and why you need to act quickly
Bloat in dogs is uncommon but often fatal, as the winner of The Field’s Best Family Gundog award discovered a few years ago. David Tomlinson describes the symptoms and stresses…
Flatcoated retriever: the flatcoat’s fatal flaw
Always the Edwardian country gentleman’s companion, these days the flatcoated retriever still has its fans, although its popularity has been eclipsed by the labrador. (Read: Flatcoated retrievers – the Edwardian…
How to introduce a puppy to an older dog
Ensuring a new recruit is welcomed by long-standing residents can be a tricky business. So how do you go about introducing a puppy to an older dog? (Read: When to…