Meet the team
FRAN ARDLEY
GUNDOGS
Owner of Tarncrag Gundog Training, with more than 10 years’ experience.
NEIL MCINTOSH
VETERINARY
A keen shooter and a practising vet in Scotland.
TONY BRACCI
TUITION
Bisley Shooting Ground’s deputy shooting manager and master gunfitter.
DAVID FROST
LEGAL
SG’s legal expert and author of Sporting Shooting and the Law.
PETER THEOBALD
PIGEON
Pigeon-shooting expert; author of Woodpigeon: The Ultimate Quarry.
ROBERT MORGAN
ANTIQUES
Arms and armour valuer at Holts Auctioneers.
ED COOK
RABBITS
Professional rabbit catcher working over 30,000 acres.
TOM SYKES
PEST CONTROL & WILDFOWLING
Sporting photographer, wildfowler and pest controller.
IAN SWEETMAN
GUNSMITHING
Owner of I S Sweetman Gun & Rifle Makers and former gunsmith at Purdey.
RICHARD ATKINS
TECHNICAL
Expert on the technical aspects of ballistics and shotgun performance.
GUNDOGS
Cross retrieving
Is it possible to work a labrador and a spaniel together when shooting and if so, how can you manage which dog gets any retrieves?
Fran says: The simple answer to your question is “yes”, of course you can work a spaniel and retriever together but you should realise they have different jobs. The spaniel should hunt out in front of you within shot range and be steady to the flush of any game, the retriever should walk quietly to heel next to you and not run in when anything is shot. It is then up to you which dog you send for the retrieve, if the retrieve is straightforward and fairly close, I will send the spaniel, after all that is its reward for being steady. If the retrieve is longer or more complicated I may send the retriever, mix it up and that way neither dog will second guess what is going to happen.
RABBITS
Costing the earth
Do you insure your working dogs? I looked to insure my working cockers and the premium was huge.
Nope. I have had plenty of vet bills over the years but none that would warrant the expense of insurance. My dogs are used daily and so have a level of fitness that helps keep some problems at bay. I do believe a frequently worked dog has an approach that is less likely
