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…
Gundogs
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.…
In praise of show-bred gundogs
The rules of the gundog world stipulate that if you want a good shooting dog, you must buy a puppy from working-bred stock. But David Tomlinson finds that show-bred gundogs…
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…
Difficult retrieves: you’ve got to pick a…
Difficult retrieves can fell even field-trial champions. And only one of the reasons is that they are difficult to prepare for, says David Tomlinson. If you are planning on spending…