I own a working cocker spaniel that is 12 months old. Can you please give me advice on how to look after its coat, as some say you can cut…
David Tomlinson
What happens when you bring a sprocker puppy home for the first time
It is 12 years since my springer Rowan was a puppy but as she was home-bred she had her mother for company, who not only provides companionship but also discipline.…
Why aren’t golden retrievers more popular in the field?
One of the mysteries of the gundog world is why golden retrievers are a comparative rarity in the shooting field, especially compared with the ubiquitous Labrador. Fashion probably has a great deal to do with this,…
Most dog attacks are by Labradors. Seriously?
I have just been alerted to a story in The Times that the breed of dog blamed for the most dog attack claims in the UK is the Labrador. This…
Neutering young dogs can be damaging
Veterinary surgeons are not renowned for always agreeing with each other, so I was pleased to hear from gundog enthusiast and vet Roger Bannock in response to my recent article…
Why raw chicken wings are possibly the perfect dog food
Fifteen years ago I changed my dogs’ diet to what is now generally termed a BARF (bones and raw food) diet. However, I prefer to call it a natural diet, because…
Do electric collars have a place in dog training?
Defra is under heavy pressure from a number of organisations, including most notably the Kennel Club (KC), to ban electric shock collars, and has launched an online consultation to gauge…
Should you neuter your dog?
Neutering dogs has become such routine practice that I’m sure many people don’t give it a second thought. Bitches always seem to come into season at the most inappropriate time,…
Why the French bulldog is bad news
If you like both dogs and statistics, the Kennel Club’s annual registration figures always make a fascinating read. Those for 2017 are as intriguing as any. Once again the Labrador…
Is it really possible to train a rescue springer as a gundog?
We all know that puppies aren’t easy, but if you want a working spaniel, taking on a puppy is probably your best option, as it is rare to find a…
How to stop a dog worrying sheep
According to the National Sheep Association, there are more than 33million sheep in the UK, which means that every working gundog is certain to encounter a flock sooner rather than…
Just why is the “sprocker spaniel” becoming so popular?
A friend was torn between gundog choices. Should he go for an English springer, or an equally speedy but rather smaller cocker? In the end he compromised. He bought a sprocker…
Why I won’t be bothering to go Crufts this weekend
Gundog day at Crufts 2018 is on the Sunday, the last and inevitably the most busy of the four-day event. This year’s show will host around 22,000 dogs and about…
BARF diet for dogs – the risks and benefits
Bones and raw food for dogs I’ve long been an advocate of feeding dogs as natural a diet as possible, which means raw food and vegetables. I was convinced by…
Leptospirosis in dogs – what you need to know
One of the most important reasons to control rats is the danger of leptospirosis. Also called Weil’s disease, leptospirosis is caused by bacteria spread via the urine of infected animals…
Will the Welsh springer spaniel survive?
A chance encounter with a Welsh springer spaniel (WSS) on a shoot earlier this month reminded me what a handsome breed this is and what a shame it is that…
Are dogs good for your health?
You might have seen a rather pleasing story that appeared in the papers last November. According to a study of 3.4million Swedes, dog owners have a lower risk of cardiovascular…
Giving your gundog a comfortable retirement
One of the most frustrating things about good gundogs is that their working lives are so short. A dog is typically three or four years old when it matures into…
Is it legal to shoot parakeets?
It's legal ton shoot a couple of parakeets species under general licence
Dogs at work in the beating line
After an enjoyable season in the beating line with his spaniel, David Tomlinson asks what traits a dog needs to have to be an asset to this essential team…