The phrase “he’s got a good nose!” regularly punctuates conversations at shoots, often uttered with a degree of pride by dog owners recounting tales of exceptional retrieves. Stories might involve their dogs scaling trees or swimming great distances to claim the day’s most robust running cock bird. In fact, some enjoy voicing this phrase almost as much as those in the beating line relish shouting “woodcock”, irrespective of the bird’s flight direction.
All dogs, without a doubt, possess a good nose. Certain breeds, particularly the