Joe Taylor from Weymouth owns 2 year old Ralph. I recently trained with Mark and Joe Taylor who are passionate about their Korthals Griffon Gundogs. Father and son have owned the breed since 2000 when Mark brought the first Korthals Griffon into the country. I took the opportunity to watch these amazing hunters retrieve dummies across the water and ask the handlers about this gentle biddable breed…
Joe what do you love about Ralph?
I love his character…he’s got so much go in him and he loves to hunt. It’s great to see him working using his natural instincts. I take him out every night training in the summer and he’s my wild fowl companion in the winter. I shoot on a small syndicate near Dorchester and he picks up regularly throughout the season. I’ve just started stalking with him so he gets plenty of mental stimulation which is important. Ralph is a good allrounder and when he’s not training or working he’s super chilled at home.
Joe what do you love about Ralph?
I love his character…he’s got so much go in him and he loves to hunt. It’s great to see him working using his natural instincts. I take him out every night training in the summer and he’s my wild fowl companion in the winter. I shoot on a small syndicate near Dorchester and he picks up regularly throughout the season. I’ve just started stalking with him so he gets plenty of mental stimulation which is important. Ralph is a good allrounder and when he’s not training or working he’s super chilled at home.
Joe and Ralph enjoying a water training session with Corbinsbere Gundogs, Bloxworth. Joe what’s your aim with Ralph?
As the breed are late to mature, progress is steady during the first year. Now Ralph is 2 it has allowed me to start training to his full potential. This year I have a number of HPR working tests and I'm aiming to progress into the Open class.
Mark can you touch on their characteristics?
The Korthals Griffon can be hard work as they are slow to mature and they love to hunt so you do have to take your time and do the basics before introducing game. They are an intelligent gun dog and they need to be doing something. Frankie will be working on a driven shoot and wild fowling so they do make a good all-round hunting companion. She's great around the house and very laid back until I get the gun out and then she steps up a gear!
As the breed are late to mature, progress is steady during the first year. Now Ralph is 2 it has allowed me to start training to his full potential. This year I have a number of HPR working tests and I'm aiming to progress into the Open class.
Mark can you touch on their characteristics?
The Korthals Griffon can be hard work as they are slow to mature and they love to hunt so you do have to take your time and do the basics before introducing game. They are an intelligent gun dog and they need to be doing something. Frankie will be working on a driven shoot and wild fowling so they do make a good all-round hunting companion. She's great around the house and very laid back until I get the gun out and then she steps up a gear!
Mark Taylor from Weymouth owns Frankie and Ucky who is the mother of Frankie and Ralph. Mark what advice would you offer to someone who may want to consider a Korthals Griffon?
Don’t rush into it. Find a reputable breeder and go and see the dogs. The Griffon loves a challenge so do something with them: working, stalking, picking up, agility etc.
Don’t rush into it. Find a reputable breeder and go and see the dogs. The Griffon loves a challenge so do something with them: working, stalking, picking up, agility etc.
Frankie retrieving a dummy off an island. A delight to watch her enjoying the challenge of a retrieve across the water.
For further information on the Korthals Griffon breed please visit:
www.korthalsgriffonclub.co.uk
For further information on the Korthals Griffon breed please visit:
www.korthalsgriffonclub.co.uk
RSS Feed