Blog

Doggy downtime

12/2/2019

Preparing for Christmas is a traditional practice and however you choose to celebrate it's always a very personal one. For me, it's a special time to be shared with my family, friends and the dogs and a time when our home becomes festive and fun.

So as we step into December can I wish all of my readers and friends a wonderful Christmas and hope you enjoy my latest feature in the Christmas issue of the Shooting Gazette.

Many thanks to Gundog Trainer Belinda Welbourn and her gorgeous team of working dogs: Left to right - Google, Ollie, Oleg and Sven.

The benefits of a live game training day

11/21/2019

Delighted to see my gundog feature in this week's Countryman's Weekly. Many thanks to Jane Taylor-Ball, Ian Stevens and Tracy Corbin for their time and support and a huge thank you to Helen Noakes for the beautiful photos of Jago, Fizz and Darcy.

The versatile Korthals Griffon

10/20/2019

Mark and Joe Taylor from Dorset are passionate about their working Korthals Griffon gundogs. Father and son have owned the breed since 2000 when Mark brought the first Korthals Griffon into the country. This versatile and intelligent breed stands out in the field and creates some interest among the shooting community who are not familiar with the breed. I'm thrilled to see The Countryman's Weekly have published my interview this week which offers an interesting account of the Korthals Griffon in the shooting field.

Hope you enjoy!

Many thanks to Mark and Joe for your time and support.

Tracy Corbin - Gundog Trainer of the Year

10/10/2019

Find out what motivates The Countryman's Weekly Gundog Trainer of the Year 2019. Hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as I did writing it!

Photo credit: Lindsey Corbin

Article in October 9th issue of The Countryman's Weekly

A good dog never dies

10/4/2019

I can vividly recall when we brought Jack home. A lively black furball of a puppy who loved life. We rescued him from a precarious domestic situation and had no idea what we were taking on. Little did we know life would never be same.

Jack grew into a handsome affectionate dog and quickly became a huge part of the family. We started the gundog journey together and my creation of BiddableBardsley blogging stemmed from Jack’s passion for retrieving. His love and loyalty were boundless and there’s no doubt he was happiest being by my side. Throughout the primary school years he was a firm favourite with the kids, always winning hearts as they came through the school gates. I never tired of his enthusiasm and admired his calming ways. He was our little piece of gold dust and gave us 13 years of unconditional love and affection.

Letting Jack go this week was the hardest decision to make. His body couldn't cope with daily life even though his mind was still keen. He was a cherished part of the family and the house feels quiet without him. I can’t think of him without welling up and I feel a crushing sense of loss. An emptiness that’s left in my heart. As I’m writing I glance down expecting to see the tilt of his head, the look in his eyes, the wag of his tail and then a gentle nudge of a wet nose. He’s gone but his beautiful spirit will always be us. Forever...
Miss you Jacky boy xx

"A good dog never dies, he always stays, he walks besides you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near, his head within our hand in his old way." Anonymous

How much is a picker-up worth?

9/29/2019

An interesting topic in the field and a subject which is no doubt popular in the beaters' wagon throughout the season. I hope my article in October's issue of the Shooting Gazette gives you something to talk about whilst enjoying the season.

Be inspired - by the best of our gundogs! A round up of the Game Fair 2019 in October's issue of the Shooting Gazette.

Heavenly haven for gundogs

9/18/2019

I fell in love with Exmoor earlier this year and had a wonderful stay at a unique gundog retreat. Check out my latest article in The Countryman's Weekly (September 18th) and find out more about the charming Wintercopse Barn Cottage.

A tribute to the late Graham Cox - a tour de force in the gundog world

8/22/2019

Delighted to be part of the tribute and a real privilege to meet Marilyn Cox.
You can read the full article in September's issue of the Shooting Gazette 2019.

Highlights of The Game Fair 2019

8/16/2019

One of my favourite memories this summer has got to be The Game Fair 2019. At the end of July on the hottest day of the year we headed up to the beautiful grounds of Hatfield House and enjoyed the world’s largest countryside festival. This year we camped on site which gave us the perfect opportunity to sit back and relax with friends and enjoy the festival experience. Being able to mix work with pleasure I was able to meet with my gundog buddies and colleagues and discuss some writing ideas for the future. I also grabbed the opportunity to capture a flavour of the gundog activities which you can read in this week's The Countryman's Weekly.

I had a fantastic time and can’t wait to do it all over again next year! Here are a few pics which reflect my best-loved moments…

As always the weather played a huge part to our Game Fair experience. From sizzling hot temperatures to thunder and lightening - we had it all!

It was pleasure to meet the gorgeous German Shorthaired Pointer - Withamfriary Maddison (Maddie) winner of the HPR Tower Bird BASC Trophy.

The sea eagle, one of the largest eagle species in the world. What an awesome sight!

The Sporting Dog Pavilion showcased a variety of working dogs. I think you'll agree these three Welsh Springer Spaniels are simply stunning!

Team Scotland enjoying the Home International team competition - top handlers and fabulous dogs go head to head in one of the most hotly contested events in the working test calendar.

I loved every minute spending time with our happy campers...a lot of laughs, catching up with friends and enjoying the ambience of the Game Fair experience. Can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Check out the full article in this week's The Countryman's Weekly.

A captain's thoughts...

6/24/2019

July issue of the Shooting Gazette.

I recently caught up with the captains of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish gundog teams to find out more about their roles and how they deal with the pressures and challenges of managing a team. With a mixture of national pride, experience and drive to succeed each captain prepares their team members for the big gundog events. There's no doubt these guys have a passion for the sport but my feature highlights - having a passion and turning it into a winning team are two wholly separate things. With the prestigious Home International event fast approaching I have a feeling it's going to be an interesting Game Fair!

A huge thank you to Roddy Forbes, David Latham, John Williamson, Willie Edgar and Mark Bettinson for your time and support.

A working dogs education

6/20/2019

I loved my day spent with a fantastic group of Countryside Management and Gamekeeping students at Wiltshire College. They gave me a real insight into the 'working dogs' unit which is embedded into the course curriculum and were keen to share their passion for gundogs. It's fair to say the unit is a firm favourite among the students and has a vital role to play within the education domain.

A big thank you goes out to the course leader, Neil Bianchi and the students involved - you are all truly inspirational!

Quick fire questions with Howard Kirby of Mullenscote Gundogs

4/16/2019

Howard Kirby of Mullenscote Gundogs could be seen delivering the ever popular gundog demonstration at this year’s West of England Game Fair. Howard has been training gundogs for over twenty years and he splits his time between Mullenscote Dog Training Centre and Lains Shooting School. Based in Hampshire, the gundog trainer has an experienced team who specialise in training and assisting handlers to get the very best from their dogs. Howard has won field trials with English springer spaniels, cockers, German long-haired pointers, German short haired-pointers and English setters. His career highlight to date being a win at the 2014 and second place in the 2017 Kennel Club Hunt Point Retrieve Championships with his FTCH Wamilanghaar Tash of Mullenscote.

So what makes a successful gundog demo?
It may sound obvious but the key to getting noticed is to make sure you have something fresh to share. Howard has that certain something. He embraces his passion for gundogs and country life and captivates the audience with his sharp wit and his natural relaxed showman style. There’s no question he has a unique talent in providing family entertainment and educating people on training and getting the very best from their gundogs.
As the event got under way I watched the team demonstrate how they use reward-based training methods to teach young HPR’s, spaniels, retrievers and setters to become exemplary gundogs. Within minutes it was easy to see why this event was so popular. With their knowledge, experience and friendly approach the dedicated Mullenscote team delivered a demonstration which was second to none.

During the day I managed to grab Howard for a few quick fire round of questions…

Favourite movie?
I’ve got two - I haven’t been to the cinema for 25 years and have recently starting going again. I’ve just seen A Star is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody which are both just brilliant!

Favourite music artist/group?
Thin Lizzy.

If you could duet with an artist who would it be?
Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. Who wouldn’t want to be a rock star!

Best gift you’ve ever received?
My current partner, Lynsey Whitley, all of my friends and family love her but tell me I’m ‘punching above my weight!’

Something you’ve always wanted to try but are afraid to do?
I’ve done fix line parachuting and free fall parachuting is something I’m afraid of but would really like to try.

Who do you admire?
Ian Openshaw. I think he's a fantastic dog trainer!

One accomplishment you’re most proud of?
I’m very proud of our latest venture, Mullenscote TV. It’s a ‘gundog training channel’ and a project that’s been in my mind for a long time. It’s taken a huge team effort to launch it. I’ve grown to learn how much a passionate team of people can achieve.

Most memorable career moment so far?
Winning the HPR Championship 2014. It was something I had been working towards all of my life.

Early bird or night owl?
I’m a very early bird.

Favourite tipple?
Tango - makes me lively and excitable!

Chinese or Indian takeaway?
Chinese.

One thing you still have from your teenage years?
My sense of humour.

Person who gets you to laugh the most?
My partner, Lynsey and comedian Mickey Flanagan.

What’s the one question no one has ever asked you?
What I really want out of life…

Kindle or paperback?
i-books.

Spaniel or Labrador or HPR?
Mmm…if I was pushed it would have to be a HPR - German wired haired pointer.

This summer Howard Kirby and his Mullenscote team can be seen at various game fairs across the country delivering gundog demonstrations, running clinics and Q & A seminars. For further info visit: http://www.mullenscote.co.uk

Few and far between - Spanish Water Dog in the shooting field

3/21/2019

Gundog handler Ash Green is a Spanish Water Dog enthusiast. His dog, Chica is a wonderful working example of the breed - versatile, intelligent and brave she stands out in the field and creates some interest among the shooting community who are not familiar with the breed. I'm thrilled to see The Countryman's Weekly have published my interview this week which offers an interesting account of the Spanish Water Dog in the shooting field.

Hope you enjoy!

Many thanks to Ash for his time and support.

Rescue me...

3/18/2019

My article in the Shooting Gazette, April 2019 was a privilege to write as it gives the real unsung heroes a chance to shine. There's no doubt these four success stories highlight the rewards and challenges of a rescue gundog and shows how adaptable they can be in a new environment. Time, patience and understanding the dog's needs are key requirements in developing a solid working relationship and ultimately a contented gundog. Hope you enjoy reading this feature as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Many thanks to Nicola Kebbell from Spaniel Aid UK, Clare Skelton, Nick Browne, Chris Hinch and Nicola Rushmore - You are all shining stars!

Let the games begin!

3/10/2019

The Bath & West Showgrounds are set to come alive for this year’s West of England Game Fair with a host of gundog events, competitions and demonstrations. Now in its 22nd year, the countryside show on the 16th and 17th March will offer something for everyone and the gundog events will aim to inspire, educate and entertain all the family. Exhibitors and visitors alike always say there’s no event like a game fair and this year the action packed programme will not only give you the chance to watch the top dogs and handlers in their field but also to enjoy the exciting range of have-a-go events. Here’s a taster of what you can expect…

Don’t miss out!
The gundog demonstrations are set to offer something for everyone. Professional gundog trainer Howard Kirby from Mullenscote Gundogs will be offering engaging demonstrations in the indoor and outdoor arenas. His team will provide top tips and training techniques to produce spaniels and retrievers from puppy hood to the shooting and competition field. Howard will also showcase his fantastic team of HPRs and English Setters and reveal unique techniques on how to train these highly specialised breeds.

Do you have an issue with your gundog in the field and want to resolve it? Howard is offering an exclusive ‘Q & A’ session in the indoor arena. The team will attempt to answer your questions and display how they problem solve when working a dog. There’s no doubt the popular demo will attract huge crowds over the two days so make sure you find a suitable viewing spot at the arena and enjoy the talented and captivating Mullenscote Gundogs.

Fun for all the family!
There are an exciting range of have-a-go events that provide enjoyment for all the family. Whether you are taking part or watching there is plenty of banter between all involved. The scurry events can be highly competitive and may not suit everyone in the gundog domain but it’s a joy to watch the experienced dogs and handlers give a stylish performance.
The main aim for the serious scurry competitor is to make the top fastest 20 dogs in the BASC Scurry League and receive an invite to compete in the grand final which will determine the overall winner. Throughout the spring and summer competitors can attend 9 game fairs across the country and have the opportunity to gain prizes and points for the league in each scurry they compete in.

Junior Handler Challenge...
Many youngsters take part in the have-a-go events, some simply want to have a fun challenge with their family pet, whilst others wish to experience the test environment and put their training into practice. These young handlers are dynamic and full of enthusiasm and the West of England Game Fair offers an exciting and unique challenge for the next generation of our gundog handlers.
Make sure the have-a-go events are one of the many highlights of your day. Grab some lunch and find a suitable viewing spot to watch a plethora of dogs in action. You’ll be suitably impressed by the experts and their biddable dogs and you’ll have a giggle at the unexpected antics of those dogs that happily ignore the whistle, jump the straw bales and aim for the nearest game-burger stand. It’s a delight to watch and fabulous entertainment for all the family.

Put your training to the test…
BASC have a variety of gundog activities for this year and BASC Gundog Officer Kate Dymock is delighted to confirm the return of the Training Clinic with experienced trainer Jim Penaliggon. Alongside the clinic is the ever popular BASC Gundog Test run by M & M Gundogs. This is an ideal way to see if your basics are solidly ingrained and to evaluate your training progress in a test environment.

If you’re looking to talk through any training issues or find out about gundog classes the Duchy and North Devon Gundog Club will be situated on the BASC balcony and available to discuss any training queries you may have. It’s the perfect opportunity to have a chat with like minded people and obtain some re-assurance with your training techniques.

There’s never been a better time to buy!
There are a vast amount of trade stands at the show with lots on offer so make sure you grab yourself a show guide so you can easily find your main interest. Most of us make our purchases on-line nowadays so use the show to take a step away from online shopping and treat yourself to buying items in person. Talk to likeminded people and share knowledge, tips and recommendations about products. This will give you an opportunity to see what’s on the market and enable you to make an informed decision. Give yourself a chance to identify what products appeal to you. But be warned - you’ll be spoilt for choice!
There’s no question this event will celebrate those who are passionate about their working dogs. The West of England Game Fair is the perfect opportunity to relax with family and friends and absorb the sights and sounds of a countryside extravaganza. With my writer’s tool kit in hand I will be there to capture a variety of gundog activities in action and yes, I will be stopping at the Foxdenton stand to test the variety of tipples that are a must-have for any countryside writer - Look forward to seeing you there!

What are your gundog plans for the year ahead?

3/2/2019

Based in rural Dorset, my life is firmly in the countryside and that's one of the reasons I'm able to write about gundogs and all that rural Britain has to offer. Whether you have a picking-up, beating or peg dog it's a good time to start reflecting on your experience in the field and start thinking about your plans for the year ahead. I hope you enjoy my latest article in the Countryman's Weekly and wishing you many happy days with your gundog in 2019.

IGL Retriever Championships - Shooting Gazette Report

1/22/2019

There’s still no better feeling than seeing your name in a printed publication you are proud and lucky enough to write for. I’m so thrilled with my IGL Retriever Championship report (8 pages!) in the February issue of the Shooting Gazette. A big thank you to Karen Handley for being a super snapper and laughing our way through the calamitous stay in Fawlty Towers! Many thanks to the IGL committee and Headkeeper Matt Nesbitt who made every effort to look after the press team throughout the three days. It was a truly fantastic experience!

Congratulations to all award winners on your well-deserved success!

Walking the line!

1/22/2019

Thrilled to see my gundog article in this week’s (16th Jan 2019) The Countrymans Weekly - the UK’s biggest selling country sports newspaper!

December Delights!

12/31/2018

Delighted to see my gundog features in this week’s The Countrymans Weekly and January 2019 issue of the Shooting Gazette. Big thanks to Julia Smith and Mike Thomas for their help and support.
Wishing you all many happy days in the field with your gundog during the festive season and best wishes for 2019!

Gundog feature in The Countryman's Weekly Newspaper December 16th 2018

Gundog feature in January 2019 Shooting Gazette.

Happy New Year!

12/31/2018

It's New Year's Eve and what a year it has been! This year I have followed so many of you via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and loved seeing your gundog pictures and hearing about your achievements and challenges with your working tests and trials. My journalistic journey has taken me to many wonderful gundog events this year and I want to say a huge thank you to my readers, friends and family for your encouragement and support - And so I would like to share one of my treasured moments which took place at a fantastic David Latham training day in Dorset at the end of this summer. Thanks again for being awesome supporters of my blog and articles and wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year…

Gundog Trainer David Latham talks about his dogs and his role as England’s Team Captain, conveying attributes about his competing and character which reflects his passion for the sport...

The summer of 2018 has brought success for England in the working test arena taking the winning trophies for the Four Nations Challenge held at Scone Palace, and the prestigious Home International at the Game Fair. The team were also awarded a credible third place in the Skinners World Cup held at Hampstead Park. England have had an exciting and triumphant 2018 and there’s no doubt David’s encouragement continues to draw admiration from his team and the gundog community.

You’ve had a successful 2018 as England’s Team Captain…what’s different?
We worked hard this year and we’ve spent a lot of time together training twice a week since February. There’s no doubt we had a strong retriever team with some good quality dogs and it’s all come together. I knew we’ve had a strong team for the last 3 years but we’ve given our success away. This year we didn’t make any mistakes, the team have been consistent and we won the Home International by 55 points which was massive at this level of competing. Three years ago we came third and got beaten by two points so our win this year was fantastic.
What makes a winning team?
Consistency is the key. 20/20/20/0 isn’t what you want in a competition. I want 18/19/17 and maybe a 16. All dogs need to be picking and the handlers must have the mentality to compete within the big occasion and deal with the pressure such as the Home International at the Game Fair. The level of pressure can be intense, more so than the IGL because you’re competing as a team and you don’t want to let anyone down and be the person who gets a zero, I’ve been there and it’s not a nice feeling. Not all handlers and dogs can compete with this pressure. This year our retriever and spaniel team were consistent throughout and able to step up in a pressurised environment. They all picked the dummies and for us the spaniel team were the icing on the cake. I’m really proud of them - a winning combination.
Do you enjoy the challenges of being England’s Team Captain?
To be honest it wasn’t one of my goals to be the England Team Captain. When John Halstead (senior) retired after the 2014 CLA Game Fair I was asked to represent England and it was a new challenge and I felt proud to follow in his footsteps. I’ve known John for many years and with his blessing I took the role on in 2015. John and Sandra still play an active part and offer a tremendous amount of support as it can be a testing role which has its pressures. I want to be able to prove to them I can manage the role as much as proving it to myself.
What attributes do you have which makes a good captain?
My enthusiasm and dedication for the game. I just love it. It’s my life and comes first before anything else. I think people can pick up on this and I try to give everything a fair crack. Nowadays the selection is wide open and there’s more handlers coming into the sport - Steve Richardson is new and very good as is Phil Goulden. Last year we had Nicola Reynolds who was great - They’ve all had an opportunity and stepped up and performed well.
What’s special about the dog you worked in the Home International Challenge?
F.T. Winner Fendawood Harold is a nice whistle dog. Ricky is very with me. He wants to be with me and has no hang ups and has a lovely pace and style. He’s committed and wants to work every day. Ricky is a good marking dog as you saw at the Game Fair where he nailed those last two retrieves and won the Millennium Challenge Trophy for Best Marking Retriever. He’s a very young dog so for his limited experience he’s come on well and matured nicely. Hopefully he’s got a promising career ahead of him.
Who’s currently training in your kennel?
I’m currently running three dogs. F.T. Winner Fendawood Harold (Ricky) who is about to have his first Open season. FTW Nettle Brae Andy of Fendawood had his first Open season last year and got two 2nds, a 3rd, 4th and a COM in a two day Open so he’s knocking on the door. I’ve learnt by my mistakes and I think I can read him a little better this year and make him stronger. I’ve also got a young dog, Meadowlark Big Rock. He’s my novice and a very nice game dog. He might not be a dummy dog but certainly very natural.
How often do you train them?
A lot depends on the dog. With these three I can give them as much as I want which I like and I’m usually out 6 days a week. FTch Drakeshead Deana who I won the IGL with in 2003 would ask too many questions and become sticky if i took her out more than 3 times a week, so it really depends on the dog. You just have to be careful not to over do it and take care with their legs, especially with the hard ground in the summer.

Following the interview four times winner of the IGL David Latham qualified both Fendawood Harold and Nettlebrae Andy of Fendawood for the IGL Championship in December 2018. This was David's 20th time running in the prestigious event and received a well deserved Diploma of Merit with Nettlebrae Andy of Fendawood.