There has been a much-needed overhaul of breed standards, says David Tomlinson, although show and working animals are often still worlds apart. A Slumber spaniel, anyone?
Gundog Breeds
If it’s not a labrador, what makes the perfect family gundog?
David Tomlinson risks offending loyal labrador enthusiasts by suggesting some alternative breeds that make the perfect family gundog
How to choose the best gundog for partridges
For wild greys and redlegs, you need a worker that’s keen, thorough and won’t mind the brambles. So which is the best gundog for partridges? Alec Marsh finds out…
The rise (and rise) of the fox-red labrador
Once shunned in favour of the ubiquitous black, the fox-red labrador is now becoming increasingly popular, as Giles Catchpole relates
Different gundog breeds: a break with tradition
We are inordinately conservative in choosing our canine companions but there are many different gundog breeds, says David Tomlinson. Would you ever consider breaking with tradition? Pick a puppy from…
The best beating dog: in the beating line
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…
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…