I recently received this query from a reader who was wondering how a fox-red Labrador would perform out in the field. Q: My son-in-law is keen to buy a first…
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Is gundog boarding school worth it?
Q: A friend recently sent away his young springer bitch for some basic training at a gundog boarding school. It was the first time he has done this —previously he…
Do chocolate Labradors deserve a bad reputation?
So how does the colour of a chocolate Labrador happen? A variety of different Labrador matings, including black to black, can produce a brown, or chocolate Labrador. If you mate…
How do I keep my dogs warm in kennels in winter?
I have two labradors kenneled outside and want to sort out the best type of bedding for them for the coming winter.
Training a golden retriever
A question about golden retriever training Q: After many years of having Labradors, I have bought a working-bred golden retriever puppy. I know this breed has a reputation for being…
How can I find the right Labrador puppy these days?
Q: I have been struggling to find a Labrador puppy because there seems to have been a big demand for them as pets during lockdown. I have been advised…
Tips on training a Labrador puppy
Jeremy Hunt has trained hundreds of Labradors. Here is his advice on picking the right puppy training class for your youngster.
Will my Labrador’s hips cause her problems in the field?
Labrador hips cause concern Q: I have a four-year-old Labrador bitch that I had intended breeding from, but her hip scores have turned out to be higher than we expected…
The different spaniel breeds – which one would suit you best?
Don't overlook the minor breeds, like Clumber, Welsh springer or Brittany spaniels, although their natural hunting, retrieving and training ability probably won't be as strong as a Cocker or Springer
How should I start training my puppy to be a gundog?
Take things slowly, don't rush and form a bond with your new gundog puppy before starting any training
How to keep your dog safe around fast-flowing rivers
Q: I will be picking-up this season on a new shoot, where there is a fast-flowing river. On two drives it can be necessary to put dogs over the river.…
How can I stop my gundog from dropping the dummy? (And other dummy training problems.)
How do I stop my gun dog spitting her dummy out, I have tried placing it in her mouth while saying 'hold'?
Training a young Labrador to start picking-up
Q: I have a young Labrador bitch I want to start picking-up with this season. Should I take her along with my older and experienced bitch, or would it be…
What’s happened to the flatcoat retriever?
Every once in a while, often at a country house owned by people who don’t much like throwing things away, one comes across old copies of Shooting Times. It is…
How do I teach hand signals when training a gundog?
At what stage of a Labrador gundog's training do you introduce hand signals?
Should I get a Chesapeake Bay retriever?
Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)
How to give your gundog puppy the best start in life
Over the coming months, many gundog bitches will cast off the lissom figures they acquired during the shooting season. They will take on a more matronly demeanour of pregnancy as…
How do you train a springador?
Should I train my new cross-breed gun dog as a lab or a springer?
The trick to training an HPR breed
Some traditionalists dismiss HPRs as unnecessary for British shooting, but David Tomlison finds out why owners of these dogs so passionately disagree
Which gundog puppy will be pick of the litter?
Gun dog puppy: I’m planning on breeding a litter of gun dog puppies from my bitch this spring.