Can you help me with technical gun dog terms?

When buying a puppy, terminology can help illustrate the field experience of the sire and dam.

By Mark Whitehouse

Friday, 25 September 2009

I've been searching various gun dog websites for puppies, which I intend to train for rough shooting. I am a little confused by the abbreviations they use such as FTCh, FTW, D/DC and GWT Winner. Could you explain these to me?

Gun dog training expert
Mark Whitehouse
If you want a dog for gun dog training - it is essential that you buy your puppy from sound working stock that has been proven in the shooting field.

Technical terms such as FTCh and FTW represent dogs that have competed in field trials on live game under Kennel Club rules, achieving the highest standard of award.

FTCh stands for Field Trial Champion and FTW stands for Field Trial Winner.

Dogs that have GWT after their name have been involved in gundog working tests.

These dogs have only handled canvas dummies and may have never handled live game.

The abbreviation D/DC stands for docked and dew clawed. This is a must for working spaniels, and all should have veterinary documentation to prove a professional has done it correctly and legally.

When talking to breeders about puppies make sure you always ask the right questions and ensure the puppies are Kennel Club registered and have the correct docking and micro-chipping certificates.

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Comments

toby g

Fri, 28th May 2010 21:53:52

im just about to get a pedigree working cocker puppy . what is the best age to kennel it in my back garden

martin.clarke

Wed, 18th Nov 2009 17:36:05

my springer wont pick up i have tried everything dummies socks game can you please help me he is 2 years old i have been using him on the beating line for two years he will work all long fantastic worker

Ed Fladger

Mon, 12th Oct 2009 20:19:41

How can I properly curb my retriever's enthusiasm when returning with the retrieve? My Brittany is so excited to fetch a dummy that he will try to "paste" it on me when he returns,rsther than merely hand it to me.As I am wheelchair bound, he will run right through me with the dummy,leaving me to make a defensive catch for self protection as he cannot seem to stop in time before crashing into me.I don't want to discourage his eagerness to retrieve, but sometimes, he can hurt me wih his collision.We've come a long way since the early days when he told me to go get it myself.