★ Save on shop price when you subscribe. Pay just £2.80 per issue – 43% cheaper than buying in-store at £4.95! ★
Five of the best summer gundog kit buys for hot-weather training
Our pick of five lightweight, practical products to keep both handler and dog cool and comfortable through summer training, from cooling coats to a remote dummy dropper, rounded up to help you get the best from the warmer months in the field
Summer is the ideal time to lay the foundations of a reliable gundog, but as temperatures climb, keeping both handler and dog comfortable becomes as important as the training itself. Lightweight, practical kit can make all the difference, from breathable training vests that allow freedom of movement to cooling jackets that help prevent dogs from overheating during retrieves. Add in the latest training technology, from electronic launchers to remote dummy droppers, and today’s handlers have an impressive range of tools to draw on.
Below are five of the best pieces of summer gundog kit, chosen to cover the jobs that matter most in warm weather: throwing and marking, keeping your dog cool, and staying comfortable through a long day. This is an editorial roundup based on the products and manufacturer information available rather than a head-to-head field test, so treat it as a starting point for your own research. All prices are RRP at the time of publication and may have changed.
What should you look for in summer gundog kit?
In hot weather the priorities are weight, cooling and versatility. Lighter dummies and vests reduce the load on both you and a young dog, while cooling coats and crate fans help manage the heat that a driven gundog will happily ignore. Look for kit that works on both dry ground and in water, that packs down for travel to training days and tests, and that lets you train over realistic distances. Above all, remember that many gundogs will never show when they are too hot because their drive keeps them going, so the job of keeping them safe falls to the handler.
Mystique Easy Soft dummies
The ultimate lightweight summer training dummy for all ages, these are also a great step up from the puppy dummy. Because they share the same dimensions as a standard 250g and 500g dummy but without the weight, they encourage a puppy to hold correctly and are much lighter to carry in a vest or bag, which makes them easier for young handlers to carry and throw. Made from durable fabric with a special soft filling, they can be used for dry training and water training alike, and their low weight means they work through the winter too.
- Same dimensions as a standard 250g and 500g dummy, without the weight
- Durable fabric with a soft filling for dry and water training
- Ergonomic handle and a shape that lets the dog take a proper grip
- Available in small and large, with a standard rope and toggle or a long-throw rope and toggle, in four colours
Who it’s for: handlers with a young dog or puppy moving on from the puppy dummy, and anyone who wants a light dummy for long sessions.
RRP: Small £7 / large £7.50
muntjactrading.com
Sporting Saint handheld dummy launcher
The Sporting Saint handheld dummy launcher is engineered to withstand the rigours of both professional and amateur training sessions. Now built with stainless steel components, it offers real longevity and resistance to wear, while the rubber handle gives a secure grip even in challenging conditions and the built-in extractor makes removing spent cartridges quick and easy. Designed to simulate real-life shooting scenarios, it helps dogs become accustomed to gunfire and allows training over varying distances, launching dummies up to 90m for water retrieves, hedge crossings and fence jumps.
- Stainless steel components for longevity and wear resistance
- Rubber handle for a secure grip and a built-in cartridge extractor
- Launches dummies up to 90m to simulate real shooting scenarios
- Pack includes the launcher, a canvas dummy and a PVC launcher dummy, launcher blanks, spare O-rings and earplugs
Who it’s for: handlers ready to introduce distance and gunfire, and anyone who wants a durable launcher for regular use.
RRP: £99
sportingsaint.co.uk
Ruff & Tumble cooling coat
Many gundogs will never show when they are too hot, so it is up to us to protect them from the summer heat, whether training in open fields or resting after a walk. Engineered for active breeds, the Ruff & Tumble cooling coat uses advanced triple-layered evaporative technology: a UPF 50+ outer layer reflects harsh UV rays, a clever middle reservoir mimics natural sweating to cool the dog down, and an inner mesh layer cools without leaving your dog damp. It is simple to use – just soak it in cold water, wring it out and clip it on – and re-wetting it through the day recharges its cooling power.
- Triple-layered evaporative cooling technology
- UPF 50+ outer layer to reflect UV rays
- Inner mesh cools without leaving the dog damp
- Soak, wring out and clip on; re-wet to recharge through the day
Who it’s for: owners of active, driven dogs that push on through the heat and need help staying cool at training days, tests and shows.
RRP: From £40
ruffandtumbledogcoats.com
Dog & Field remote dummy dropper
Dog & Field’s new remote-controlled dummy dropper makes retrieving more varied and exciting for your dog. The unit comes complete with a remote control, charging cord and four dummies, and has the added functionality of a beep sound, perfect as a distraction or to hold the focus of your dog’s attention on the mark. Weighing only 2.8kg, the dropper is a lightweight, versatile and waterproof unit whose handset works up to 300m in open land and up to 150m even in dense woodland.
- Remote control handset works up to 300m in open ground, or 150m in dense woodland
- Beep function to distract or focus the dog on the mark
- Lithium battery with a digital battery-level display, external fuse and charging port
- Comes with a remote control, charging cord and four dummies, plus a 12-month warranty
Who it’s for: experienced handlers wanting to add variety and realistic marking to advanced training, and prepared to invest in the technology.
RRP: From £649.99
dogandfield.co.uk
DT Boxes Pro-Cool rechargeable crate fan
Hot weather and dogs don’t mix well, so whether you are heading to a training day, working test, shoot or summer show, keeping air moving can make a real difference to your dog’s comfort. The Pro-Cool rechargeable dog crate fan is designed specifically for crate use, clipping securely on to the crate door to deliver a steady flow of air exactly where it is needed. A large 14cm fan blade and three speed settings let you adjust the airflow to suit conditions, while a 5,000mAh rechargeable battery runs for up to 24 hours on the lowest setting and charges via USB-C from a vehicle, power bank or the mains.
- Clips securely on to the crate door for targeted airflow
- 14cm fan blade with three speed settings
- 5,000mAh battery runs up to 24 hours on its lowest setting, charged via USB-C
- Built-in LED light for early starts, late finishes and low-light checks
Who it’s for: handlers travelling to events who want reliable crate ventilation without cables or an external power source.
RRP: £70
dtboxes.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my gundog cool during summer training?
Manage the heat actively, because many gundogs will never show when they are too hot – their drive keeps them going, so it is up to the handler to protect them. A cooling coat such as the Ruff & Tumble uses evaporative technology to bring a dog’s temperature down, a crate fan like the Pro-Cool keeps air moving when your dog is resting, and regular breaks and water help too. Lighter kit also reduces how hard both of you have to work.
What kit do I need to start gundog training in summer?
A set of training dummies and a way of throwing them are the core. Lightweight dummies such as the Mystique Easy Soft are ideal for young dogs and long sessions, while a handheld launcher like the Sporting Saint adds distance and helps a dog get used to gunfire. On top of that, summer calls for cooling and comfort kit – a cooling coat and a crate fan – to keep your dog safe as temperatures climb.
How far can a handheld dummy launcher throw?
The Sporting Saint handheld launcher can send a dummy up to 90m, which is enough to set up realistic exercises involving water retrieves, hedge crossings and fence jumps. Training over varying distances like this helps build a dog’s marking and confidence at range.
What is a remote dummy dropper and how does it help training?
A remote dummy dropper is a unit that releases a dummy at the press of a handset, so you can create varied, realistic marks at a distance rather than throwing every retrieve yourself. Dog & Field’s model works up to 300m in open ground and 150m in dense woodland, and adds a beep function to distract the dog or hold its focus on the mark, making retrieving more varied and exciting.
How much should I spend on summer gundog kit?
It depends on how far you want to go. Essentials are inexpensive – the Mystique Easy Soft dummies start at £7 and the Pro-Cool crate fan is £70 – while a handheld launcher such as the Sporting Saint is £99. A remote dummy dropper is a serious investment at £649.99, aimed at handlers who want advanced, hands-free marking. Prices are RRP at the time of publication and may have changed.
Related Articles
Gundogs
Voices in the forest: meet the Transylvanian hound
From the wild Carpathian mountains, Gergely Bödők follows a Transylvanian hound at work after wild boar, a breed shaped by centuries of rugged forest and dangerous game. It is a rare scent hound tha...
By Shooting Times
Gundogs
The vital role of gundogs in driven game shooting
For many, what makes the shoot day all the better is the company of our dogs, whether on the peg or beating line, says Julia Newman.
By Shooting Times
Get the latest news delivered direct to your door
Subscribe to Shooting Times & Country
Discover the ultimate companion for fieldsports enthusiasts with Shooting Times & Country Magazine, the UK’s leading weekly publication that has been at the forefront of shooting culture since 1882. Subscribers gain access to expert tips, comprehensive gear reviews, seasonal advice and a vibrant community of like-minded shooters.
Save on shop price when you subscribe with weekly issues featuring in-depth articles on gundog training, exclusive member offers and access to the digital back issue library. A Shooting Times & Country subscription is more than a magazine, don’t just read about the countryside; immerse yourself in its most authoritative and engaging publication.
