I have heard it said that the professional gundog training and trialling world is a bit like Birmingham during Thomas Shelby’s reign — murderously cutthroat. So, it goes without saying that, before even considering getting a gundog, one should have a reasonable understanding of the basics of gundog training and an idea of what you are getting yourself into.
Fortunately, I have been around working dogs my whole life. My father and brother have trained dogs, I have shot since I was a nipper (we had springers and English pointers growing up), and I have seen gundogs of all varieties working (and not working) in the shooting field in South Africa, the UK and the USA. I have also attended, as an observer or Gun, a good number of field trials over the years, including the IGL Retriever Championships and the Cocker Spaniel Championships.
“I was determined that at least one member
