From rottweillers to poodles, David Tomlinson has encountered just about every breed of dog in the beating line. So which makes the best beating dog? He weighs up some of…
Gundog Breeds
Cockerpoo gundogs: the rise of the cockerpoo
There are no official Kennel Club figures, but the popularity of cockerpoos is undeniable. Now is the time to consider a cockerpoo gundog, says David Tomlinson, especially if the family…
The best gundog: how to choose the ideal shooting companion
Choosing the best gundog for you is a tricky business, with thirty-eight recognised breeds by the Kennel Club from which to take your pick. Labrador or spaniel? Traditional or rare…
Can minority spaniels survive?
Today you are more likely to see minority spaniels on the showbench than the shooting field, but they are part of our sporting heritage. Radical desicions need to be taken,…
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: surprisingly sporty
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred to be foot warmers and lapdogs in Tudor England, but they haven’t forgotten their spaniel ancestry, says David Tomlinson. They could make pocket rocket…
Celebrating 150 years of golden retrievers
What are considered the first golden retriever pups were born 150 years ago, and enthusiasts marked the occassion with an anniversary trial. David Tomlinson joined the celebrations, while considering how…
Best spaniel breed: a new companion
As a gundog writer, David Tomlinson knows more about our six spaniel breeds than most. So he is faced with a tricky decision in his search for a new puppy.…
Flatcoated retrievers: the Edwardian gun’s choice
During the Golden Age of shooting, flatcoated retrievers were the gundogs of choice. David Tomlinson takes a look at how the flatcoat was supplanted in the line by today’s most…
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…
Gundog breed standards. Fit for function?
Gundog breed standards are supposedly the blueprint for the perfect pedigree animal, yet in reality the dogs they produce can be overweight and even disabled. David Tomlinson questions whether gundog…