Featured Attractions

Featured Attractions

Gundogs

Experience the sheer beauty of a gundog at work!

Gundogs are used to find and flush out live game and then to retrieve game when it has been shot.

Arena demontrations are informative and great fun to watch. At each fair visitors can watch working dogs in action with falcons as they perform a combined display.

As well as arena demonstrations there's a gundog clinic and gundog multi-scurry challenge, where everyone is welcome to come along with their dog to have a go or seek the professional team's advice.

Working The Dogs
Gundogs are so called as development through breeding has produced specialist dogs with an ability to find, flush out and retrieve shot game.

Generally they are the most intelligent of dogs and their calm temperament makes them a very loyal companion.

All gundogs require daily exercise and anyone thinking of welcoming the gundog breeds into their home should be aware that this is a commitment for a minimum of an hour's walk daily, for life! Dogs don't understand when it's raining, cold or when you're just tired. That said, the rewards are worth it and you'll be fitter as a result.



Shooting is virtually impossible without dogs, and for many people working a dog  brings reward.

On a shoot, dogs have three main roles:
To find game
To flush game
To retrieve shot game

Different breeds of dog have been bred for different jobs, but many will combine two or more roles. So although a Labrador is an ideal wildfowling dog you will often find one in the beaters' line on a game shoot.

The commonest dogs in the shooting field are Labradors and Spaniels.

Labradors are principally used to retrieve birds and animals which have been shot, but may also be used to flush quarry, though they will not always enter the dense cover that a Spaniel would face.

                              

Spaniels will do all three jobs, but their ability to retrieve may be inhibited by their small size - most Cocker Spaniels would find difficulty in bringing back a goose or a hare.

                                       

When Pointers and Setters have found the game, they indicate its presence and only flush the birds on command. Some will also retrieve the shot birds, but they can only be used in open country - such as moorland - where they cover a large area of ground and be plainly visible when they 'point.'

Due to the skill and commitment required to train gundogs, many people who work their dogs on shoots don't shoot and gundog trialling has evolved into a sport in its own right; though it remains firmly rooted in the requirements of the discipline of the shooting field.

Gundogs at the shows
Held in the arenas, gundog displays will concentrate on all aspects of a dog's working life, including training and obedience.

Gundogs will be appearing at the following shows:

Sorry, no shows available, please check back soon.

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