The Mighty Wurlitzer - Training for gundog breeds that Hunt Point - [PDF Document] (2024)

The Mighty Wurlitzer Established 1991

December 2012 Edition 21

North West Group

Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

1

TheGermanShorthairedPointerClubNorthWestGroup

HonoraryPresident– BrianFinan

Chair GeoffWoodSecretary– EddieKania DaisyBank,Chinley,HighPeakSK236DA 07974168188 [emailprotected]

Treasurer– PaulDark 07732588030

CupSteward– RobIrvine[emailprotected]

WurlitzerEditors– TheresaandAndyPeers [emailprotected]Committee– EddieKania,PaulDark,GeoffWood,AndyPeers,RobIrvine, MarkHerbert,JanGough,JanetMartindale,PamCoackleyHonoraryCommittee– JohnBurns,GeoffWood

GermanShorthairedPointerClubWebsite–www.gsp.org.ukNorthWestGroupOnline–www.hprgroup.co.uk/nwg1993wastheyeartheNorthWestGroupNewsletterchangeditsname.Theparagraphbelowistakenfromthe1997Wurlitzer.

Why“TheMightyWurlitzer”?

Asa regionalgroup,boundby the rulesof theGerman ShorthairedPointerClub,materialproduced isalwayssenttotheManagementCommitteefortheirinformation.ThefirstcoupleofyearsitwasknownastheNorthWestGroup“Newsletter”. However,thequarterlypublicationproducedbytheGSPClub isalsocalledthe“Newsletter”.InorderthatpeoplereadingourofferingcouldnotbeconfusedbythinkingitwastheofficialpublicationoftheparentClub,wewereaskedtochangethenamefrom“newsletter”asthatwas“thetitleoftheofficialorganoftheGSPClub”.Thereferenceto“theofficialorgan”causedsomemerrimentatourGroupAGMthatyear itmustbesaid,and itwasGeoffWoodwhoput it inanutshell:“OfficialOrgan?”hesaid,“theymakeitsoundliketheMightyWurlitzer

………andsothenewnamewasborn.

TheMightyWurlitzer is a publication for themembership containing articles provided by themembers.Itcannotbeproducedifthemembershipdoesnotcontribute!SowewouldliketosaythankyoutoeverybodywhohastakenthetimetowritesomethingforinclusioninthisWurlitzer.Anything thatyou feelmightbeofany interest to themembers;maybeyourbestdayoutwithyour dog/s, your achievements and/or struggles and even your favourite recipes will all bewelcomed.Ihopeyouenjoythe2012edition. TheEditorsNeithertheNWGnortheGSPCassumeanyresponsibilityfortheaccuracyorsafetyofanyoftheinformationincludedinthispublication,

2

Contents

WelcometotheWurlitzer Page1

Contents Page2

PresidentsReport–BrianFinan Page3

Chairman’sReport–GeoffWood Page4

Secretary’sReport–EddieKania Page5

AimsandObjectives Page6

WinstonbyAdamChipchase Page7

WhyShouldIWormmyDog? Page8

InPursuitofLagopusLagopusScoticus–ShaunPatterson Page9‐10

BertietheLovableGWP–DeniseHubbard Page11‐12

HowtotreatDiarrhoea Page13

WatergroveWorkingTest Page14‐17

MyFirstEverTimeonaGrouseMoor–JayneHerbert Page18

MyFirstSeason–JanetMartindale Page19‐20

Eightwaystobetickfree Page20

TheDayILeftMyDogAtHomebyAndyPeers Page21

DiabetesinDogs Page22

KennelClubGrintonWeekend–TheresaPeers Page23

BacktoBasics Page24

ShouldICastratemyDog? Page24

TakingyourHPRAbroad–onaCanoe–AliceEaton Page25‐28

ClayPigeon Page29

QuizNight Page30

ShowTrophy Page31

LizAshtonTrophy NEWDUALPURPOSETROPHY Page32

Jinx’sFirstSessionatNWGSP‐JanetGough Page33

Luther’sWorkingTestDebut–TomKirby Page34‐35

Recipe’s Page36‐38

HPRwebsitestats Page39

GundogEquipmentforSaleandLoan Page40

ShowDogTrophyClaimForm Page41

LizAshtonTrophyClaimForm Page42

TrainingClass2013 Page43‐44

3

PresidentReportEverytimethereminderfromwhoeveristheeditorofthe"TheMightyWurlitzer",thistimeit'sAndy,thatmyChristmascontributionisnowrequired,myfirstreactionistheusualsurpriseathowquicklytimepasses.Nextisthepanic,whatcanIpossiblywritetomakethismorethanjusta"ChristmasGreeting".ThisthenleadsmeontotheinternettoseewhatyouhavebeenuptooverthecourseofthelastyearandinthiscaseI'vebeenlookingbackovertherecordsofseveralyears.It'sinterestingandalsoveryimpressivetonotetheinfluencethatyouallasa"Group"havehadonalltheHPRrecords,trials,testsandshows.Itmakesmefeelgoodthat,onceuponatime,ImanagedtoplayaverysmallpartinthefoundingoftheGroup,whichhasgrownandhadmuchmoresuccessthanwecouldeverhaveimagined,inthoseearlydays.Verywelldoneallofyou!Thephotographicrecordwhichisnowamajorpartofthewebsiteisatreattosee.Thelovelyactionshotsareevidenceoftherealjoythatyourdogsareexperiencinginperformingtheirworkingtasks.SomethingthatIparticularlyliketoseeinthepicturesarethereallyclearhandsignalswhicharebeinggiven.Assomeofyouwillknow,oneofmyparticular"hobbyhorses".OnethingthatIdon'tunderstand,inthephotographs,isthat,althoughIrememberwellalltheyoungladiesfromwhenIwasfullyinvolvedwiththe"group",whoarealltheoldmenthatyouarenowinvolvedwith?Youobviouslydon'tneedmetoexplainthemutualbenefitsofyourassistanceatthevariousshootsbutIwouldliketoremindthenewermembers,howfortunateyouaretobeinvolvedinanorganizationwhichprovidessomanyopportunities.TherearepeoplewhowouldkillforsimilarworkNow,justabitofinformationregardingouractivitiesin2012.Putsimply,nothing!Inthesortofaccidentwhichonlyhappenstotheelderly,Ihadafallwhichresultedinadislocatedshoulder.ThathappenedinMayandhasbeenanuisanceeversince.WehavebeentotheboatonacoupleofoccasionsbutduetotheshoulderIhavebeenunabletosail.However,nextTuesdayNovember20th,I'mofftohospitalforanoperation,tobefollowedbyanotherthreemonthsofinactivityineverydepartment.AlthoughwithlotsofpractiseIambecomingproficientinlefthandeddrinking!Nowtogettothepoint,ThankGodIhearyousay!ChrisandIwouldliketowishyouall,AVeryHappyChristmasandAnExcitingandSuccessfulNewYear.Keepatitinthedogjob.

Brian.

4

Chairman’sReport2012Asyouwillrecallfromlastyear’sedition,AllanDrysdaleresignedfromthecommitteeandasNorthWestGroupChairmanduetoongoinghealthproblems.IhopethatAllan’shealthisonthemendandthatwecanlookforwardtoseeinghimagainsoonactivelyparticipatinginallmattersHPR.

AsaconsequenceofAllan’sresignation,Iwasaskedbythecommitteetoactaschairman,sohereIambackintheseatagain.

TheNorthwestGroupisstableatthemomentwithlotsofmembersattendingthetrainingclassesandtheotheractivitiesthatwegetinvolvedin.

Thisyear,forachangewehadanindoormeet,whichconsistedofafieldcraftworkshopfollowedbya“canineandcountryside”quiz(withaverynicehotpotsupperathalftime)Thiseventwasverywellattendedandapartfromthemiss‐calculationofthewinners’score,thisseemedtogowellandenjoyedbythosethatparticipated.

Wecanofcourseorganisemoreindoormeetsifthereissufficientinterestanddemandfrommembers.Pleasedon’thesitatetocontactacommitteememberifyouhaveanyideasofsubjectsthatyouwouldliketobeincluded.

Ourmainactivityhasalwaysbeenthemonthlytrainingclasses,which(dependingontheweather/venue)areverywellattended.Sometimes,wearestrugglingtocopewiththenumbersduetolackoftrainersavailable.Ifanyofourmembersfeelsthattheyareexperiencedenoughtohelpoutwithtraining,pleasecontactacommitteemembertodiscussfurtherinvolvement.Equally,ifanymemberknowsofanygroundwithinourcatchmentareathatcouldbesuitablefortrainingpurposes,pleasesuggestittousaswearealwayslookingfornewgroundtoaddvarietyforourmembers.

IwouldliketothankmyfellowcommitteemembersfortheircontinuingenthusiasmandsupportandthetimethattheygivesofreelyforthebenefitoftheNorthwestHPRfraternity.

FinallyIwouldliketowishallourmembersasafeandhealthyFestiveSeasonandeverysuccessforthefuture.Mostofallenjoyyourdogs.

Geoff

EmbroideredGarments–NorthWestGroupPoloshirts,Fleeces,SweatshirtsandCapsareavailable.AllhavetheGSPCemblemand‘NorthWestGroup’embroideredonthem.PaulDarkcanalsoarrangeforyourownitemsofclothingtobeembroideredwiththeselogos.Pauldoeskeepacertainamountofclothinginstocksopleasegivehimaringorsendhimanemail[emailprotected]withdetailsofanythingyouareinterestedinandhecanmakesureitcomestothenexttrainingclassforyou.

5

Secretary’sReport2012

Anotherverybusyyearforthegroup.Trainingclassesareaswellattendedasever,Ihopeeveryoneattendingenjoystheclassesandthevenuesthegrouphasbeenfortunateenoughtohavesecured.Ihopeyouwillalljoinmeinthankingthelandownersforallowingustousetheirground.ApartfromtheregularmonthlyclassesthegroupwasonceagainaskedtoruntheHPRsectionoftheKennelClubWorkingTestwhichwasheldatChatsworthHouseinearlyJune.Astheeventmaturesandwebecomemorefamiliarwiththeground,itsadvantagesanddisadvantages,weareabletosetmorerealisticandchallengingtest.ThisyearusingtheEastMoorforthehuntingexerciseandtheedgeofBunkersHillWoodfortheretrievingexercisesboththeNoviceandOpencompetitorsweresenttheirrespectivejudges,theweatheronSaturdaywasfinefortheNovices,theOpendogshoweverweretreatedtorainalmostallday.2012sawususetheEmperorLakeforthewatertest,amuchmoresuitablewaterforHPR’s.Planningforthe2013WorkingTestiswellunderway,itwillbeheldonJune1stand2nd2013.2012sawarecordnumberofentriesatWatergrove,thisyearweweretreatedtofineweatherallday.Overcastbutfineallday,perfectweatherforaWorkingTest,ClayPigeonShootwetterthaneverwhataday.Wewon'teventalkaboutaverages,savetosaythateveryonewassurprisedbytheirs.It'sagreatintroductiontoclayshooting,safetyfirst,funallround.AftermanyyearsthegroupheldasocialeveninginearlyAugustjustbeforethestartoftheGrouseseason.AFieldCraftdiscussioneveningwithaCountrysideQuiz.HotPotsupperwasservedpartwaythroughtheevening,byallaccountstheeventwasagreatsuccess.Itishopedthatwewillrepeattheformatnextyear.I’dliketothankour,Landowners,WorkingTestJudges,Committeemembers,membersandpartnersallofwhommakethegroupsosuccessfulFinallySueandIwouldliketowishyouallaveryMerryChristmasandahappy,healthandsuccessfulNewYear. Eddie

STOPPRESS

SUBJECTTOKENNELCLUBCONFIRMATIONEKKOWILLBECOME

FIELDTRIALCHAMPIONTARKANYASPIKEYSSPLENDOURCONGRATULATIONSTOBOTHKARENSAYNORANDEKKO

6

TheGermanShorthairedPointerClubNorthWestGroup–AimsandObjectives

The aim of theNorthWestGroup is to help handlers ofHPR breed gundogs to develop theirtrainingskillstoenablethemtoproduceobedient,wellmanneredshootingcompanions,whethertheyareworkedsoloasroughshootingdogsorincompanywithothers,beatingorpickingup.Theobjective istoproducedogswhicharewelcomedonshootsandcanserveausefulpurpose.Themain focus remains to encourage handlers to develop theworking ability of their dog(s),encourage them toparticipate inworking tests,pointing tests and field trials and to introducethemintotheworkingdogenvironment.FirsttimeHPRownersandhandlersaremadewelcomeandwillbeencouragedtobecomepartoftheNorthWestGroupbutshouldquicklyshowanenthusiasmfordevelopingtheworkingabilityoftheirdogs.ThetrainingprogrammewillbeoneofcontinuousassessmentbasedontheProgressTestbooklet.Thishighlightsthevariouselementsofastructuredtrainingprogramme.Abookletwillbeissuedto each new member, once the member has showed full commitment towards the Group.Members shouldnote that toachieveeven thebasic standard setout in thisbooklet theywillneedtoprogresstheirtrainingintheperiodsbetweentrainingclasses.Adequateprogresscannotbemadesimplyonaonceamonthbasis.AnynewhandlerattendingtrainingclassesforthefirsttimewillbegivenacopyoftheseAimsandObjectivesandwillbeaskedtocometoadecisionastowhethertheyarepreparedtoputinthetimeandcommitmenttotrainthemselvesandtheirdogtoasatisfactorystandard.Ifadecisionisreachedtotheeffectthatanewhandlerwishestocontinue,theneveryassistancewillbegivenbymoreexperiencedhandlersintheGrouptohelpanewdog/handlerpartnershiptoreachasatisfactorystandard.Handlerswhoarenotinterestedinprogressingworkingabilitybutaresimplyattendingfor instruction inbasicobediencewillbeadvisedtoseeksuchtrainingfromeitheraprofessionaldogtraineronaone‐to‐onebasisorthroughalocaldogtrainingclub

InsuranceMembersshouldnotethattheinsurancecoverprovidedbytheGSPConlycoversofficialGroupactivities.Itisthereforeadvisabletomakeyourownarrangementsregardinginsurancecoverforanyotheractivities.

7

WinstonMostofyouwillknowWinstonasthetemperamentalItalianthatrunsriotattrainingclasses;youwillbeabletohearhimcomingbyhischaracteristicwhinebeforeyouseehim.

Forthoseofyouunfamiliarwiththisspectacle,WinstonisaBraccoItaliano,abreedthatdatesbacktothe4thor5thcenturyBCandisoneofthemostpopulargundogsinItaly,enteringmoreworkingtrialsthananyotherbreed.TheywerehowevernotintroducedintoBritainuntil1989.

TheBracco’stemperamentisdescribedasplayful,stubborn,affectionate,companionable,loyalandtrainable.WewereveryscepticalastothevalidityofthelastpointupuntilWinston’sfirstcount.

YoucanimaginemyapprehensionwhenIwokeuponthemorningweweretotakehimonhisfirstcount.I’vebeenuptoLoadbrookafewtimesashasWinston,butonlyontrainingdays.

At3yearsoldthiswouldbethefirsttimeIhadtrustedhimenoughtoplayanactivepartinacount.

Thedaystarted,asmostdointhePeakDistrict,withadiscussionabouttheimpendingday’sweatherandhowmanylayersofclothingwouldberequiredtokeepitatbay.

Astheskieslookedbrightandclearmostdecidednottotakejacketsasweheadedoffontothemoor.

Takingtheoutsideofthelineweweregiventhemostwalkingtodo.AsthecountcommencedIapprehensivelygaveWinstonthecommandto“geton”.Naturalinstinctstakingoverandtomyuttersurprise,amazementandrelief,Winstonbegantoquarteralmostperfectly,ignoringalltheotherdogsandhandlers,focusingonmeandthejobathand.

AsthedayprogressedIrelaxedintheknowledgethatWinstonseemedtoknowwhathewasdoingbetterthanme,provingthisbypointingandflushingseveralpheasants.

Asweworkedourwaydownintoanareaknownas“thetriangle”Istartedgettingnervousagain.Thearea,aswouldbesuggestedbyitsnameisatriangleand3handlersconvergeonasinglepointmeaningdogsandhandlersaremoreorlessontopofeachother.

Winstonmanagedtosurprisemeagainbyignoringtheotherdogs,includingaGSPpupwhichwouldmakeaperfectplaymatesimilartotheonehehasathome,andrespondedalmostperfectlytothecommandsgiven.ItwouldappearthewetSundaymorningtrainingsessionsarepayingoff.

Luckilytheday’sweatherheldoutasdidmypatienceandWinston’sgoodbehaviour.

Averygooddaywashadbyallandaswouldbeexpected,wethenretiredtothepub.

ByAdamChipchase

8

WhyShouldIWormMyDog

WormsCanKillDogsWormsareaveryseriousmatter.IrecentlysawalitterofhealthyJackRussellpuppiesdiethroughroundworminfestation.Roundwormscommonlycauseillthriftordiarrhoea–insomecasestheToxocaraevenspreadstohumans,especiallychildren.EndemicFrenchheartwormscancausecoughing,bleedingandnervedisorders.Tapewormsarelinkedwithfleainfestation,andsomecauseillnessinhumans.

TheCostofTreatmentFearsovercost,ortheriskofpotentialsideeffects,couldleadownersnottotreatforworms.Foradultdogs,themostcommonwormersarepillsorpowders;theseareinexpensiveforsmallnumbersofdogs.Forlargerkennelsthecostofwormingcanbemoresignificant,butshouldbeweighedagainstthecostofanall‐outinfestation.Sideeffectsfrommedicationsareinfrequent,butcanincludevomitingordiarrhoea.

WhentoTreatYourDogsYoumusttreatbitchesforwormsinthenon‐matingseason–nevertreatapregnantbitchwithwormingproducts.Oncenursing,broodbitchesandlittersshouldbetreatedattwoweeksandfiveweekspost‐whelping.Atmypractice,puppiesaretreatedeverytwoweeksuntil12weeksoldandthenmonthlyuntilsixmonthsold.Somebreederscarryoutroutinefaecalscreeningofallpuppiesandbreedingstock.

PreventingWormsThefrequencyoftreatmentrequireddependsonthedog’slifestyle.Dogsthatmixwithothersshouldbewormedatleasteverythreemonths.Moresedentarydogsmightbetreatedeverythreetosixmonths.Bearinmindthatifyouusecombinationflea/wormproductsthiswillprobablyreducethefrequencyofstandardwormtreatmentrequired.Remembersomeproductsrunasmallriskofsideeffectsifcombined.

HarveyCarruthersVetCornerfromShootingtimes

DidYouKnow??

Didyouknow.....thatthefirstdogshowwasheldinNewcastleUponTyne,Englandin1859.Thisinauguraleventwaslimitedtopointersandsetters,butsoonasecondshowcroppedupinBirminghamthatacceptedspanielsandhoundsaswell.TheNationalDogShowBirminghamcontinuestobeheldtothisdayand,alongwiththeCruftsshowandtheWestminsterDogShow(heldinNewYork),isoneofthemostprestigiouscaninecompetitionsintheworld.

9

InPursuitofLagopusLagopusScoticus

AsIstoodmarvellingatthesheerathleticismofthedogsastheyquarteredeffortlesslyoverthevastpurplecarpetofheather,eatingupthemoorlandIunderstoodinstinctively,morecompletelythananybooksormagazinescouldeverhaveinformedmejustwhatitwasthatmadewalkedupgrouseshootingsospecial.

Amomentlaterandbang!Jessfrozesolidasifstruckbyaformofparalysis,adoptingtheclassicpointwithpawraisedandeyespiercingtheheatherinfrontofher.MyahadalsoslowedupandwasnowbackingJess.Icheckedthegun,cartridgesloaded,calmedmyselfandmentallyranthroughtheprocesstofollow…..Safetyoff….IedgedtowardsbothdogsensuringIwasintheireyesightatalltimes,Ididn’twanttospookthedogsandforcetheflushuntilIwasready….Icontinuedtoedgeforward,settledmyselfandgavethecommandforJesstoflush…..inshewent……andupwentacoveyof4‐5grouse,immediatelytriggeringthesitcommandforbothdogs…..Iraisedthegun,tookaimandswingingthroughwiththegunofferedtherelevantlead,ascalculatedinmymind’seye,andpulledthetrigger……Agrousedroppedtothefloor……butpumpedfulloffadrenalinIcontinuedtoswingthegunthroughthelineofflightandpulledthetriggerreleasingthesecondbarrel…...downwentasecondgrouse…..Deepsigh,brokethegunandsentJessandMyafortherespectiveretrieves…..AwellknownDanishbrandoflagerdon’tdogrousedays…..butiftheydid!!!!Therealityisofcourse,certainlyinmycase,very,verydifferent!

Forthoseofusfortunatetobeinvolvedinanyaspectofgrouseshooting,inmycaseusuallyinthebeatingline,thereisnothingquitelikethesheerjoyofbeingoutonthemoorsamongtheheatherandthebilberry,feelingthewind(andusuallytherain)intheirfaces,ofhearingthecalloftheoldco*ckbirdasheleadshiscoveyawayordirectlyintodanger.It’sdifficulttoarticulatethefeelingofwalkingoutacrosstheopenmoorlandwithitssenseofawildnaturallandscape,notonethat’sbeensculptedbutonethathasremainedasnaturehadmadeit(althoughforthegeologistsamongstyouIknowthisisn’tthecase)…inshortitfeelswildinawaythatarablelandcanneverdo!

Theworldofgrouseshootinghasanauraofexclusivitythatcanserveasadeterrenttogameshooterswhoarecomfortablyfamiliarwithmorewidelyavailablelow‐groundshooting.Adayonthegrouseforthemajoritymayseemlikeanimpossibledream,butalso,potentially,atremendousmemorableoccasion.Andthatwasthecasewhen,followingaseasonsbeating,wewererewardedwiththeannual‘beaters&pickersup’walkedupday.

Therewasaddedexcitementformethisyear,havingrecentlybeengrantedmyshotgunlicenceandpurchasedmyfirstshotgun…..Iwasrealisingalifelongambition,toshootovermydogs.Awalkedupdayonthegrousemoorismuchmorethanaday’sshooting–it’sthewideopenhorizonsofthemoorland,thehoneyedscentoftheheather,thesheerjoyofwatchingtheexcitementofthedogsworkingtirelessly,thecamaraderiewithyourcolleaguesandnottomentionacoupleofsipsofsloegintokeepthechilloffthebones….

Wesetoffontothemoorhavingdecidedtheorderofrunningandreceivedafullbriefing/reminderongunsafetyandetiquette.

Itwasagloriousautumnalmorning,sunshining,bluesky,althoughthewindcouldhavebeenkindertothedogs….

Iwaskeentoobservecloselytheguyswhohaveexperienceofshootingovertheirdogs;itwasverymuchaschooldayforme.

10

Itwasafascinatingexperienceformewatchingaswemadeourwayupthemoor,dogsworkinginunisonwithhandler.Thelinewouldbecalledtoastandstillasdogscameonpointandthenhandlerwouldpositionhimselfandgetthedogstoflushthenbangandhopefullyretrieve….hopefully.

Ihadacoupleofrunsbutnothing…..buttobehonestthisdidn’tdistractinanywayfromtheday…..andthencamemyopportunity…JesscameonpointandIfeltasurgeofadrenalin.Isteadiedmyselfandmovedintoposition…..IslippedoffthesafetycatchandgaveJessthepushcommand……acoupleofgrouselaunchedthemselvesfromtheperceivedsafetyoftheheather……..JesssatandItookaim,notatJess…notthistime!......Bang…..Bang.......thegrousecontinuedtosoarandflewawaytosafety….Nothing,bothmissed,butIwasn’tdisappointed(althoughI’msurethedoglookedatmeincompletedisgust).IwouldhavelovedtohavedeliveredmysideofthepartnershipandbeenabletosendJessfortheretrieve,buttherealjoywasbeingoutthereworkingthedogsandbeinginapositiontoshootoverthemiftheopportunitypresenteditself….Itwasa‘glorious’experienceandday!Ihavebookedaseriesofshootinglessonswiththehopethatif,andwhen,IfindmyselfinasimilarpositionImaketheshotanditsgrousefortea!

Grousefactfile

• RedgrouseareonlyfoundintheBritishIsles.• Grousearewildandnotartificiallyreared• August12marksthestartofthegrouseshootingseason.• TheseasonlastsfromAugust12toDecember10onmainlandGreatBritainandfromAugust12to

November30inNorthernIreland.• Thereisastrictcodeofconductgoverningbehaviouronthegrousemoorforbothsafetyandetiquette.• Grouserelyonyoungheatherasafoodsource(eatingupto50gmsaday).• Theyarenotrearedorreleasedbygamekeepersbutgrowupintheirnaturalenvironmentonthemoors.• Grouseareashort‐livedspecies,withtwooutofthreedyingwithinoneyearofhatching,regardlessof

shooting.• Gamebirdssuchasgrouseprovideahealthy,freshandnaturalsourceoffood.Grouseishighinprotein,

lowinfatandfreefromartificialadditives.• Thereare459grousemoorsintheUKcovering1,500,000hectares.• GrouseshootingtakesplaceonmoorlandasfarsouthasWalesandDerbyshireandasfarnorthasthe

HighlandsofScotland.• Moorsvaryinsizefrom200hectarestonearly10,000hectareswithanaverageof2,000hectares.• Inordertoprotectgrousenumbersandothermoorlandbirds,predatorssuchasfoxes,crowsandstoats

arecontrolledbygamekeepers.• Thisisatraditionalsportwhichwaslargelysupplantedbyformaldrivenshootinginthemidtolate

1800s,butwhichisseeingaresurgenceinpopularity,althoughdrivengrouseshootingistheonlycommerciallyviablemeansofrunningagrousemoorShaunPatterson

•

11

BERTIETHELOVABLEGWPPUPPYWHO’s

TRAININGTOBECOMEALABRADOR!

Bertiewas10weeksoldNowheis7monthsold

IhavealwayssaidthatonedayIwouldhaveaGWPuptonowIhavealwayshadLabradorsandbeenverysuccessfulinworkingtestsandfieldtrialswithWinstonheis10yrsoldnowandhasosteoarthritisinhiselbowandsadly,cannolongerworkblesshim.

However,Ebony,whoissistertoWinston,is8yearsoldand3yearoldBlazewhoisnotrelatedatall,arefulfillingthisrolenowandarehappygoingintoyetanotherpickingupseason.

Wellyesyoumustbethinking“Why”IwantedaGermanWirehairedPointer?IhaveseenthemworkwellandhavehadtheminmyCheshireGundogGroupbutthatstilldoesn’tanswerthequestion“Why”didIwantone!

TheclosestIcancometo“Why”isIwantedtounderstandthisbreedbetter,Iwantedthechallengeoftrainingonemyself,andbestofallIwouldbeabletohelpmyownersmorewiththeirfrustrationswhenaproblemoccurs.

Bertiehasfittedthisbillperfectlyandhasnotdisappointedmeonelittlebit.Heissoloving,gentleandfunnyhejustmakesmelaugh,andsometimes,thelookonmyLabsfacesIcouldcryastheylookquitesadblessthem…

WehaveanameforBertie.WhenhegetsintohotwaterwecallhimAlbert!....whichsuit’shimwhenhehashisAlbertmoment!Bertiecomesbackfromplayandsitsbesidemeandgivesmehispawit’san“Ahbless”moment,butyoucanbeleadintoafalsesenseofsecurityyouknow!

Bertie’sTrainingSoFar

At7monthsoldnow,heisstillgrowingtallerandtaller,ahappypuppyplayingwithhiscaninefamilygroup.

HangontheseLabskeepbringingthingsbacktomumI’llsitandwatchthem.Ifthisiswhattheydothenitsfinewithme,I’llpickupanitem.Lookatmerunningaroundthefieldwithitinmymouth,whatfun!

LabradorsbringitbacktohandbutforBertieit’snotnecessarilyinthatorder!

SoIhavenotgotimpatient withthis,norfrustratedbutonlylooktofindanotherwaytotrainthisproblem….I’ll surprisethelittlehumbugandtrainthiscomingbacktomewithadummydownthe sideofmyhouselikeanallyway.EverysooftenIcomealittlefurtherbeyondtheally walltotrytoproofBertie’sbehaviourtobringthedummytome(slowlyslowlycatchy monkey)!Onejustcannotdothis retrievingtrainingtoooften.Itwillborethepupil.

12

Ialwaysleaveonagoodnoteandpraiseandrewardthelittlefellowforwhathehasdone.Eachtimealittlefurthertome,IalwaysleavehimwantingmoreofthesametrainingsoIalwaysstoptrainingafterthesecondorthirdrepetition.Thenthenexttimestrainingwillbe,WowwearetrainingagainthisisFun!

HewillnowsitwhenIblowmywhistleandwaittillIsendhimofftoplayaftertakinghisleadoff,sowearemakingprogress.

Hewillwalkfairlywellonleadbutcanwalkinfront;thisisnotabadthingIknowaslateronIwillbeneedingBertietodothis.

Soafewtrainingtimeswalkingclosertomehastobethebestthingtokeephimincheck.

WithleadwalkingImakethisexercisefunasitcanbesomundaneforyouandthedog.SoIbringafuntrickintoplay.WhenwalkingBertieinastraightlineandheiswalkingwellIthrowhimhisballforhimtocatchinhismouthIhavehisleadonsoIreelhimbackwardsforBertietogivehisballtome(Twoforthepriceofone)!Retrievingandleadwalkingtogetherbless.SoIguessit’sgoingokandwekeepourheadswhenallthosearoundusarelosingtheirs

Never Regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience:

Victoria Holt BERTIEHASTAUGHTHIMSELFTO:‐

• SkateboardaroundthekitchenflooronhisNaylorbone.• Digaholeinthebackgardentoplacetheturfsomeplaceelse.• Eatsomeofmy“Cornus”Wellitscommonnameis“DogWood”!• ChewthroughseveralLabradorsleads.• MakehiswaythroughfromthebackofthecartothefrontseatwhileI’mintheshops.Helooksvery

happywithhimselfwhenI’vecomebackfromashopandhe’ssittinginthepassengerseat“Himum”.• Beagymnastbottomupintheair,doajumpintheair,twirlaround,landonthefloor,goupsidedown

Phewthat’sjustforstarters!

• ToPointOppositephoto

Ijusthavetolaughatthisstageturnmybackonhimandsnigg*rheisfunnyIlovehimtopiecesandgreattobewith.

OurBertieIwillendeavourtotraintheboytobecomeagoodworkingGWPstickwiththeprocessofeliminationifneedbe.FormybelovedLabsthankyouforbeingyoulovingBertielikewedoandteachingBertietonottakewhatisnothis…..BestFriendsBertieandBlaze

ByDeniseHubbard

13

HowtoTreatDiarrhoeaDon’tIgnoreDiarrhoeaMostboutsofdiarrhoealastforacoupleofdays.Dogsoftenappearotherwisewell,notreatmentisgivenandtheproblemresolvesitself.Frequentlyinthesecases,thecauseisunknown.Moredebilitatingdisease,longerormorefrequentboutsofdiarrhoeaneedmoreattention.Lackofenergy,weightlossandpoorcoatqualitycandevelop,andmoreseriouscauses,suchaspancreatitis,canresultinseverepainandevendeath.

CommonCausesThemostcommoncauseofdiarrhoeaindogsisscavengingoreatingapoordiet.Othercausesincludeintestinalworms,foodintoleranceandconditionssuchaspancreaticdiseaseorpoorabsorptionordigestionoffood.Infectionscausesincludeparvovirusandcampylobacter,oneofthecommoncausesofhumanfoodpoisoning.Diseaseinorganssuchasthekidneycanalsoleadtogastrointestinaldisease.Foreignbodiesandcancermayalsocausediarrhoea.

HomeCuresDogsthatarepronetodiarrhoeacopebetterwithafoodthathasafatcontentoflessthan14percent;Iaimforaround10percentfatcontent.Somedogsrespondtobeingstarvedfor24hours,Iprefertofeedsmallamountsofboiledchicken,whitefish,pastaandpotatoesseveraltimesaday.Canikurtabletshelpbindthestoolandaregivenfortwodays.Avoidvigorousexerciseandofferelectrolytesolutions,suchasLectade.

PreventionRegularwormingandvaccinationshouldbecarriedout.Feedaconsistentdietandintroduceanychangeslowly.Dogsmayrequirecertainalterationstotheirrationtotreatunderlyingdisease;forexample,low‐fatdietscanhelpdogspronetopancreatitis,whilesomedogssufferfromspecificmeatorcarbohydrateintolerances.Thoughitisacommonproblem,diarrhoeamayrequireveterinarydiagnostictests,andsomedogsrequireintensivetreatment.

HarveyCarruthersVetCornerfromShootingtimes

DidYouKnowDidyouknow......thatadog’snosehasmanyusesbeyondjustdetectingscents?Withtheironlyporeslocatedontheirpaws,dogscannotsweat–thisexplainswhytheyalwayspantinhotweather–buttheircold,wetnoseshelpregulatetheirbodytemperature.Inaddition,thepatternofeverydog’snoseisasuniqueasahumanfingerprint.Tellthattoyourpuppythenexttimehechewsupapairofshoesandstaresatyouwiththatinnocent‘who,me’?look.

14

NorthWestGroupWorkingTest15thJuly2012 PUPPYTestJudgedbyPaulBurdess,DavidHartwell1stCASAPELUDA’SKINGGEORGEHWVDog31/05/11HandlerMrP.Bennett2ndRAYCRISQUITEGORGEOUSatFIZZELLALMBitch26/03/11HandlerMrsADent3rdIRONALBIONSRADIUMFLICKERGSPDog29/05/11HandlerMrR.Clasper4thELSASCHNEIDERHVBitch15/07/11,HandlerMrDHardakerNOVICETestsJudgedbyGaryLee,PaulBradley,PhilRobinson1stMAPLEHAZEARMINAGWPBitch09/10/10HandlerMrRCullen:2ndKERRIDEHENRYHWVDog14/02/11HandlerMrA.Blackledge3rdMADCAPPURPLEFINCHGSPDog12/06/10HandlerMrR.Fairbrother.4thOLDGILLHEADSILVYAHVBitch15/02/2010HandlerMrR.KayOPENTestJudgedbyValO’Keeffe,&DavidHartwell1stTARKANYASPIKEYSSPLENDOURLMBitch25/05/07HandlerMrsKSaynor2ndJAUDASDIXIEDARLINGLMBitch10/08/05HandlerMrsL.O'Connell3rdBRYANTSCROFTREDCURRENTATMAPLEHAZEGWPDog15/04/09HandledbyRoyCullen4thMAPLEHAZEARMINAGWPBitch09/10/10HandlerMrRCullen

15

OpenTest–HuntingandRetrieving

GROUND Excellentgroundforatestofwork.MoorlandwithtuftedgrassesandbrackenprovidingAmplecoverforcagedpartridge.Bothgoodhuntingandretrievingground.

WIND Moderatecheekwind

SCENTINGCONDITIONS Provedtobenotgood,scentbeinghelddown

WEATHER Greatnorain!Cooltostartwithwarmingupasthedaywenton

COMMENTSHuntingbymanyofthedogswasexcellent,stylishwithgoodgroundtreatmentanduseofwindUnfortunatelyseveralgooddogsfailedtolocateandpointthecagedgameunlesstheywereveryclosetothebirdandontopofthecage.Iwassurprisedthatsomecompetitorshadnoknowledgeofhowtoworkacheekwind.Onedoginfactignoreditshandlerandcorrecteditself.

SEENRETRIEVETheseenretrievewasdownaslope,acrossasmallstreamandupontothebanktheotherside

UNSEENRETRIEVETheunseenretrievewasuponabank.Thedogwassentformthetopofanothersmallbankandhadtocrossastonewallandthenupaninclinetotheretrieve.Theretrievingbyallcompetitorswasexcellentandofhighstandard.RESULTS1stMrs.K.SaynorTarkanyaSpikeysSplendourLMbitchThisbitchworkedhergroundmethodicallyatasteadypaceusingthewind.Shelocatedandhadabriefpointonthepartridgeandthenworkedoncoveringhergroundwell.Averyworkmanlikeperformance.Herseenretrievewaswellmarked.Shewassteady,wentstraightoutandthendeliveredefficientlytohand.Unseenretrieve.Slighthesitationonthewayoutbutagainanexcellentretrieveandbroughtdirectlytohand.Sheonlydropped1markaverygoodperformanceoverall.

2ndMr.T.J.&Mrs.L.O’Connell’sJaudasDixieDarlingLMBitchHuntedhergroundatasteadypaceusingthewindwellandthenhadanexcellentpointonthecagedpartridgewhichsheheld.Huntedonafterwardsagainusingthewindcorrectly.Herseenretrievewasdonewithouthesitationandminimalhandlingsheusedhernosewelltolocatethedummyandbroughtittohand.Unseenretrievehadacoupleofhesitationsbutshejumpedthewall,wasfastandusinghernosesoonfoundthedummyandjumpingthewallonherreturnbroughtthedummytohand.

3rdMr.R.Cullen’sBryantscroftRedcurrentatMaplehazeGWPdogThedogcoveredhisgroundwithstyleandpaceusingthewindwell.Hewasattimesalittleheadstrongandunfortunatelyfailedtolocatethegame,otherwisewouldhavebeenplacedhigherintheawards.Hisseenretrievewasdoneefficiently.Hemarkedwellandusedhisnosetolocatethedummyreturningspeedilyandbringingthedummytohand.Onhisunseenretrievehehadalittlehesitationonthewayoutbutsoonfoundthedummyandreturnedittohand.

4thMr.R.Cullen’sMaplehazeArminaGWPbitchHuntingexcellentwithanicesteadyworkmanlikeperformancebythisbitch,goodgroundtreatmentanduseofthewindbutunfortunatelynopoint.Seenretrieveverygoodshewassentdirectlytothefallandreturnedquicklybringingthedummytohand.Theunseenretrievesheneededseveralredirectionstogethertothedummywhichofcoursecosthermarks.Oncefoundshereturnedspeedilybringingthedummytohand.

ValO’Keeffe

16

NoviceWater.

“Canyouhelp,wehave32entriesfornoviceandweneedanotherjudgetodothewatertest?”

Checkdiary,yepfree.“CourseIcan,seeyouthere.”

OntheM62workoutifIget20–25donebeforelunch,12afterlunchcasualday,littledidIknow.

AteventHQmybubblewasburstwhenIwastold“weneeditfinishedbylunchtime”.Theopenclasswastobeusingthesamewater.Ohdear.

LuckilytheweatherwassetfairandthedaywasbrightenedevenmorebythesightofayoungRoebuckmakinghiswaythroughthebirchtreesatthesideofthelake.

Noviceisanawkwardclass,thereisawiderangeofa*gesandabilities,dogsjustupfrompuppytoolderdogswithlotsofexperiencelikewisehandlersabilitiesrangingfromjuststartingouttoolderandwiserhandsatthegameallowanceshavetobemadeforthisaswellastryingtogeteveryonethroughwithoutdelay.

Offwesetthefirstvictim/competitorsteppedforwardandsoitwent.ThedogsrangedinabilityfromthosewhostruggledtofindanentrypointtheywerehappywithtothekamikazeGermanWirewhomusthaveleapt8–10feetintothewaterfromasittingposition.Mostdogswhoenteredthewaterhadmarkedthedummywellandwerecompetentthroughout,theoneswhostoodouthadmarkedthedummyandaimedoffforwindtointerceptthedummyasitwasmovingdownthelake.Thedogandhandlercombinationsthatscoredhighmarksgotthembecausetheystoodoutintheirperformanceanddeservedtheirpoints.

Thesausagemachinechurnedonandwewerefinishedbylunchtimeasrequested,phew.

MythanksgotoEddieandtheGSPNorthWestGroupfortheinvitationandarrangingsuchniceweatherfortheevent.Tothebackgroundboysandgirlsforlunchandtheirassistanceduringtheday.ToTerrymydummythrowerforhisaccuracyandconsistency.Tothedogsandhandlersfortheirpatienceandunderstandingduringahecticmorning,Imissedthechancetohaveachattoyouallaboutyourperformance.

Maybenextyear

PhilRobinson

17

WaterTestReport–PuppyandOpen

Firstofallthebelated“thank‐you's”–whichIneglectedtosayattheawardspresentationontheday.Iputthisdowntonoviceerrorandnotseniledementiaaspreviouslyreported.

ThankyoutoEddieKaniaandtheNWGforaskingmetojudgewaterforbothpuppyandopenclasses.Asthiswasmyfirsttimewiththeclipboardandcritique,IcanhonestlysayIhadawonderfuldayandtheexperienceisdefinitelysomethingIwouldliketobuildon.IdohopeIdidn’tdisappoint.

ManythankstoShaunwhoactedasmyaidandchiefdummychuckeranddidasterlingjob.

ThanksalsotoTheresawhoactedasmystewardandkepteverythingrunningsmoothlythroughouttheday.

PuppyAfterahesitantstart,Iwaspleasantlysurprisedbytheenthusiasmshownbyalargenumberoftheseyoungdogs.Waterentrywasgood,aswastheretrievingandIfelttheoverallstandardwasverygood.Welldone.

OpenTheoverallstandardwas,aswouldbeexpectedfromopendogs,verygood.Wesufferedafewfailures,despitetheenergeticencouragementofthehandlers,butthemajorityofdogscompletedthetestwithanairofconfidence.Thedogswiththehighestscoreswereseparatedonlybythedog’sabilityandthelackofinvolvementofthehandler.Onceagain,welldonetoallwhotookpartandmanycongratulationstothoseintheawards. DavidHartwell

DidYouKnowDidyouknow....thathavingacloserelationshipwithyourpuppymaynotonlymakeyouhappierandmoreactive,butmayalsoprovidedirecthealthbenefits?Studieshaveshownthatpettingadogcanhavetheeffectofreducingbloodpressureevenhoursaftertheinitialaction,andthatpetownerswhosufferfromseriousillness{e.g.heartattacks}survivelongerthatthosewhodonotownpets.Onepossibleexplanationisthatheartattackvictimsaremoremotivatedtorecoverbecausetheyknowthattheirdogsdependonthem.

18

MyFirstEverTimeonaGrouseMoor

IwasgiventheopportunitytobeatonSlaidburnMoorinAugustthisyearwhereIworkedbothofmydogs,afiveandhalfyearoldWeimaranerandaneighteenmontholdGSP.

Ihadgrousecountedearlierthisyearonmoorsthatheldgrousebuthadneverbeeninabeatinglineononebefore.

Luckilytheweatherwaswarmbutnottoohotasthedaywenton;ifithadbeenanywarmerIthinkImayhavecollapsedinaheap!

Weallmetinapubprobably10minutesdrivefromtheMoor,startingthedayoffwithabaconbuttyandacuppa,Imetalltheotherbeatersandguns,whomademeverywelcome.Mytwodogs’andIcadgedaliftupontothemoorswhereweweregivenourinstructionsby,HeadKeeper,Morris,averynicechap,whowasinchargeofthebeaters.Youneedtobefairlyfittobetacklingthemoors,astheterrainwentfromflattosteeptosteepincline,dependingonwhichwaywewerebeating.Iremembervividlythe3rddrive,asitwasupagradualhillbutseemedtogoonforeverandwhenIgottothespotformetosetofffrom,itmusthavebeenagood20minutesbeforethegunsgotintoposition,Ihadtohavealiedownandcatchmybreath(thinkquiteafewhadabitofabreathertoo),theyoungeronesImustadmitcoveredmoreground,butthentheyhaveyouthontheirside!

Wedidtwodrivesinthemorning,brokeoffforaspotoflunchatthebeatershut,notmanysatinsideasitwassuchalovelydaybutdidkeepthebeercool!Wedidafurthertwodrivesintheafternoonandfinishedoffbackatthepubforadrink.

Ifoundthegunswereveryappreciativeofthebeatersforthegroundthatwecoveredandwasthankedbythemajorityofthegunsfordoingsuchagoodjobwhichwasaverynicegesture.

ItwasanexperienceIwillneverforgetandhopefullywillbegiventhechanceagaintoworkmydogsongrouseinthefuture.

JayneHerbert

19

1stSeason

ThisseasonIhavehadtherealpleasureofattendingashootovernearHolmesChapelinCheshire.Mostpeopleenjoythecomingweekendifonlytogetalieinandstaysnugintheirwarmbedsoverthewinter.Notme!!!Ihaveeagerlyrisenfrommy‘pit’togatherdogandwarmwaterproofclothestogether(mayIalsoaddanearliermorningthanmyworkingweek)andsetoffforthejauntdowntheM6onmostSaturdaymornings.

Weeksoftrawlingthroughthickandoftenbarbaricundergrowthhasrewardedmewiththetraditionalendofseasonbeatersday.ShouldIorshouldn’tIdustthe12boreoffandmakeoffoolofmyself?HavingleftittotheverylastminutetopurchasecartridgesIdecidedthatwhetherImanagedtomakeakillornotit*houldbeaveryenjoyableday,especiallyastheweatherpromisedtobedry.

Thedaycertainlywasn’tadisappointment.Theusualcuppaandbantertostartthedaywaspartakeninthenoffwesettocollectgunsanddogsandheadedoffinsearchofourprey.Asistraditiontheusual‘guns’replacedusabeatersandtookthejobofbeatingthedrives.

Itookupmyfirstpositionattheendofacovercropanddutifullywaitedforthefirstflush.Theflushofbirdswasnotadisappointmentwithplentyflyingoverbuttoolowformetotakemyfirst‘pop’.Theircontinuingflightallowedtheothergunstotakefourpheasantstothediningtableallowingtheotherstocontinueontheirway.Offtothenextdrive!!Veryfewbirdsappearedinmydirectiononthisdrivegivingatotalshootof‘nil’.Stillplentytimeleftthoughtomakeasuccessofmyday.Offwewentfullofhopeforthefinalpushdown‘thevalley’.Overtheseasonthisseemedtohavebeenthemostsuccessfuldriveforbirdsshotastheyusuallyflystraightdownthevalleytobemetbythewaitinggunsandplentyshots.Todaywasdifferentasthebirdsseemedtobesittingtightandnotflying.Ionlymanagedtogetoneopportunitywithafirstshotthatmissedbutfollowedwiththeguntoaimwithasecond.Downwentthebirdbuttomydisappointmentnotfrommygun.TodateIamstillawaitingthepostmortemandwillreportatalaterdatetheresults.

Thegunslinedoutreadyforthenextdrivegivingplentytimeforeachofustothinkabouttacticswhilstwaitingforthebeaterstotaketheirplaces.Afewshotsovertomyrightbutnothingcamemyway.Suddenlythecallof‘over’washeardandeveryonewasready.Thehenpheasantflewfromtherightwithaguntakingtwoshotswithbothbeingamiss.Iwasarmedandreadytohaveago....twoshotsfrommebothhittingfreshair.Nextgunwasarepeatofthefirstandsecond.Whatabird!!Tobemissedbysixshotswasunreal.Thebirdranthegauntletalldownthelinewithalleightgunstakingtwoshotseachandeveryonemissed.Sixteencartridgesshotandnonetobeproudof.Thehenpheasant,I’msure,gaveitssaluteandwentofftosurviveanotherdayandtellthetale.Ihavenicknamedher‘Stevie’.

Offtotheduckpondwherethewhiteduckresides.Outofboundsallseasonunlessyouhavecomearmedwithachequebook.Todaywasdifferentwiththepromiseofaprizeforwhoevershootstheoddoneout.Beatersgetinthere....ducksgetoutofthere.Uptheycomewithagroupofabouttenducks.Iamreadyandtakeaim.Bang....Ishootatthelastinline....downitgoes.IswiftlyfollowwithashottomylefthopingIhavetakenagoodaim.Ilooktoearlierduckandseeadogretrievingthedownedbirdonlytosee,nottheusualbutguesswhichone?Yesthewhiteduck!!!Whatashot!Thegamekeeperhadtakenfirstgobuthadnotbroughtitdown.Minewasthekiller.Greatexcitementforme.Firstkilloftheday.Mysecondshothadonlyresultedinprickingtheduckbutfortunatelywasdispatcheddowntheriver.IwasnowslightlymoreconfidentthatIwasatthestartoftheday.Twomoreshotsonthefollowingdrivethatresultedinnothingforme.

20

Offbackforahotdrinkthentocollectcarsfor5minutedrive.Herewasmybestsuccessoftheday.Shortandsweet....oneduck,oneshot,onekill.NowIamstartingtoreallyenjoymyday.Asmuchasthethrillwasreallykickinginthiswastobemylastshotofthedaybeforereturningtobase.

IhadhopedtoshootapheasantbutwasmorethandelightedwiththeducksIdowned.FormeagoodresultasIhaveneverhadthepleasureofshootinggamebefore.Emptycartridgescountedcameto13withthreepossiblyfourmakingcontact.Iamverypleasedwiththatresultforafirsttimeout.

Thedaywasendedwiththeusualgettogetherforfoodanddrinkalongwiththetalkaboutthedayandthemanythankstoeveryonewhomadeitenjoyable.

MayItaketheopportunitytothank,iftheyshouldeveryreadthis,thegunsandbeatersontheshootformakingitanexcellentseasonallroundandIlookforwardtoseeingthemallagainnextseasonshouldIgettheinvite.

IwouldalsoliketothankKerryforbeinganexcellentcaddyforme,takingchargeofToddwhenneeded.Kerrymanagedtogetashotonsomeofthedrivesbutunfortunatelythebirdsdidn’thappenforher,shealsothoroughlyenjoyedthedayandwasgladthatImadehergetoutofherwarmbedatsuchanungodlyhourtocomealong.

Finally,thankyoutosomeoftheclubmembersforgettingmetheopportunity.Itisverymuchappreciated.

JanetMartindale

EightWaystoTick‐FreeSport1. Trytoavoidareaswithlonggrass,heather,woodland,brackenorotherareasofthickvegetation

whichmayharbourticks.2. Sprayinsectrepellentonyourclothesandtotheareasofexposedskinapartfromtheface.3. Wearalong‐sleevedtopforextraprotectionagainstticks.Donotwearshorts.4. Walkinthecentreofpathstoavoidoverhanginggrass.Wherepossiblefollowroadsorpathsto

avoidtick‐riddenareas.5. Removeatickbytwistingitoutwithtweezers,graspingitascloseaspossibletotheskinand

pullingupwardssteadily.6. Disinfecttheskinbyrubbingwithalcohol.Don’thandlethetick.Disposeofitinalcoholorflush

itdownthedrain.7. Inspectyourbodyafterreturninghomeifyouhavebeeninariskareaandtakeabathor

shower.Inspectaccompanyingdogs.8. Checkthebiteforatleasttwoweekstoseewhetherarashhasformed.Ifithas,seektreatment

fromyourGPpromptly.

fromShootingTimeswww.masta‐travel‐health.com/tickalert/

21

TheDayILeftMyDogAtHometoGoShootingWithMyWifeandHerDog

Thedaystartedat9.30andtheweatherwasmild,frostyandthesunwasshining.Theruleswerelaiddown,“nogroundgame(hares,rabbits)andco*ckpheasantsonly,pleas”statesMrKerfoot,theshootcaptainfortheday.Sowereallset,wedrivetothefirstpieceofgroundandsplitupintosmallgroups.SomegunsstandinglikeJack,Steve,EddieandI,otherpeopleworkedtheirdogtowardsusthroughsomecovercropandhedgerowsandontothepondwheretherewereplentyofducksandtealaswellaspheasants.

Itookashotataduckanddroppedit.Matthew’sblacklabhadmarkedit80yardsawayandpickedup,EddiedropsapheasantsthatflewoverhimandBrandyretrievesittohand.Afterweallhadsomegoodshootingandgameinthebagwemoveontothenextdrive.Againcovercropandapond,Iteamupwithwife,Theresa,andRoxy,andMatthew.Walkedupsomehedgerowsandthroughsomemaize,Roxycomesonpoint(happydays,RoxyandTheresamaygettheirfirstfullhunt,pointandretrieve)TheresapushesRoxyinandsheflushesahenpheasant,noshooting.Ishoutedhenpheasantovertotheotherstandingguns,whenIheardonesingleshot,oop’s!!.Downgoesthehenpheasant.Laterwhenthedrivehadfinishedwefoundtheculprit,Eddiehadshotthehenbirdasnotheardtheshout,blamedhisearplugs,yeah,yeah!!

Againmoregoodshootingandgameinthebag,Jack(Paul’sson)hadnotshotapheasantallseasonsowepromisedhewouldtoday.Afterheadingbacktothecarsandaquicktippleofchampagneandatotofsoleginandasandwichweofftoanotherfarm.Groundwasamediumsizedwoodandgamecover.IwaswithTheresa,MatthewandEddie,offwegoItookoneedgeofwood,MatthewinthemiddleandEddieontheotherside.IthoughtwemaynotgetachancetodoanyshootingbutasIsaidthistoTheresa,sheturnsandtellsmeRoxyisonpoint.Ingoesthecartridges,gunlockedandloaded.TheresaaskedifIamreadyandpushesinRoxytoflushbird,happydaysaco*ckpheasant,goestomyleftIshoot,downgoesthebird,Roxysattoflushandmarkedthebird.TheresathenhasRoxyworkouttheground,asmallstandoftimber,shegoesonpointagain,Roxyispushedinandanotherco*ckpheasantflushestotheright,Ishootanddowngoesthebird.

TheresahasRoxysatandaskswhichoneIwantpickingfirst,“theleft”,shesetsRoxyupandsendshertopickthebird–justasIwasabouttosaydoyouthinkshecanpullthisoff?BackcomesRoxywiththe1stbirdtohand.Theresatakesthebird,setsRoxyupandsendsoutforthesecondbird,lowandbeholdbackcomesRoxywiththesecondbird,notfazedbytheothergunsgoingoffandbirdsfalling.IhaveneverseensuchabigsmileonTheresa’sface.HuntandPointandfinishingthejobwithaRetrieve,thisiswhatwealltrainourdogsfor.SonotonlydidI,asagun,shootmyfirstleftandrightpheasantoffpoint,butTheresaandRoxygettheirfirsteverhuntpointandretrieve.Jackalsoshothisfirstpheasant.Itjustgoestoshowthatifyouputthetraininginitdoespayoffbutyouhavetotakeyourtimewhilsttraining,itdoesnothappenovernight.IwouldalsoliketothankMatthewforputtingupwithusonhisshootandfortheinvitation.

AndyPeers

DidYouKnow Didyouknow.....thattheoldestdogonrecordwasa29yearoldcattledognamedBlueyfromVictoria,Australia?Whilethereisnoevidencetosupportthatunusualdietscontributetolongerlivesincanines,Bluey’sregimewascertainlynoteworthy,inthathisownersfedhimsignificantamountsofemuandkangaroomeat.Anotherfamouslyolddog,27yearoldBramblefromSomersetsubsistedonthesamedietofrice,lentilsandorganicvegetablesasherowner.

22

DiabetesinDogsDiabetesMellitusAboutonein500dogsgetdiabetes.Diabetesisahormonaldisorderthatcausesdogstodrink,eatandurinatemorethanusual.Theymayalsoloseweight.Thesesymptomsarecausedbyahighbloodglucoselevel,whichleadstoglucosepassingouttheirurine.Beingadiuretic,itdrawsbodywaterwithit,soa10kgterrier,forexample,maydrinkalitreofwaterormoreaday.

WhatCausesDiabetes?Thehormoneinsulinregulatesthesupplyofglucosetocell.Glucoseisthemainsourceofenergygainedfromdigestedfood.Diabetesiscausedeitherbyadiseasedpancreasnotproducingenoughinsulinorbythebody’scellsnotrespondingproperlytoinsulin.Olderdogs,especiallyunsprayedbitches,aremorelikelytobeaffected.Somebreedsarealsomoresusceptible,suchasLabradorsandgoldenretrievers.

TreatmentPossibilitiesSpayingabitch,treatmentofinfection,weightlossororalglucosesuppressantsmaybeenoughtocontrolthedisease.However,mostdogshaveType1diabetes,whichisapermanentproblemandinsulininjectionsareregularlyadvised.Itisusualfordogstobestartedonalowdoseandforthistobeincreaseddependingoneachdog’sresponse.Injectionsarethenadministeredbyownersthroughoutthedog’slife.

ComplicationsasaResultofDiabetesCataractsareoneofthemostcommoncomplicationswithdiabetes.Thesemaydevelopafteraperiodofworseningsymptoms.Dogsbecomeblind.Insomecasescataractscanbesurgicallyremoved,restoringsomevision.Othercomplicationsincludeurinarytractinfections,pancreatitisorpersistentexcessivedrinking,eatingandweightloss.Weakness,diarrhoeaandkidneydiseasearelesscommonlyseen,butareextremelydistressing.

HarveyCarruthersVetCornerfromShootingtimes

DidYouKnow

Didyouknow.......thatsomeoftheworld’sgreateststatesmenharbouredthesamesoftspotfortheirpoochesthatyoudo?IthasbeenreportedthatnoonewasallowedtoeatinWinstonChurchill’shomeuntilthebutlerhadfedhispoodle,Rufus.Meanwhile,Churchill’scontemporary,FranklinDelanoRoosevelt,gotintohotwaterin1944withtheUnitedStatespressforsendingbackships{onthetaxpayer’smoney}torescuehisScottishterrier,Fala,thathadbeenleftbehindonafamilyvisittotheAleutianislands.

23

TheKennelClubWeekend,Grinton3rdand4thJune

Wellsofarsogood,Roxyhashadbeeninseasonfortheprevious2courses.Thirdtimeluckywehavefinallybeenabletogo.

WearrivedatthehotelFridaynight,lovelydinnerandthedogsmadethemselvesverycomfortableinfrontoftheopenfire,homefromhome.

Upandraringtogoandit’sdryatthemomentbutveryblackcloudsintheskyandverywindy!!Saturdaywasallabouttrainingandadvice.Iwasinaclassof6,4HPR’s,anEnglishpointerandaGordonSetter.Itwasgoodtoseeotherbreedsworkandhowtheyusethegroundandindicatebirds.Wehadarunofabout20‐30minuteseach,scentingconditionsappearedtobedifficult,itwasverywindyandrainingonandoffallmorning.Roxywasindicatingscentinthedistance,pointing,movingon,stalkingandpointingagain,notreallygettingintoherstride.Afterwehadallrunwebrokeforlunch.

Movedtoadifferentpartofthemoorafterlunch,Iwastorunlast.IthadbeenrainingallafternoonbutfinallytheweatherbrokeandtheSunshone!!Roxyreallymadethemostofthegroundandgotintoherstride.Goodtoseeherworkingthewindandbeingadvisedshehasagoodnose.Bothourinexperienceshowedwhenworkinggroundwithswirlingwinds.TypicallyforRoxy,shedidn’tfindjustoneharebuttwoatthesametime.Shewasonpoint,asIgottohersideonehareboltsoff,shedidn’tmovebutthensecondhareboltedandshethoughtthatlooksfun!Shemanagedtogetonestrideinbutthenheardmystopwhistleanddroppedtosit!!Idon’tknowwhowasmoreshockedmeorRoxy!!!Ann,thetrainer,laughedandsaid“bythelookonyourface,youwerenotexpectingsuchaquickresponse”.Ireplied“Ihadhopedandcrossedmyfingers”

Soafteraverygoodday,backtothehotelwiththedogsandhusband,onceagaindogsmadethemselvesverycomfortableinfrontofthefire,whilewehadlovelycheeseboardandbottleofredwine.

UpearlyonSundaytodiscoverit’snotrainingbutsnowing!!!SplitintodifferentgroupsotherswerecarryingonwithtrainingandIhadenteredtheWorkingGundogCertificate.Onthemoor,theruleswereadvisedandrunningorderset,youarestillabletoaskquestionandnotpenalisedifbirdsbumpedasyouwouldinfieldtrial.Secondtorun,agoodpairofsnowgoggleswouldhavebeenhandy,thesnowcomingdownheavy,sohooddown–soIcanhearanyinstructions,glovesoffsoRoxycanseeanyhandinstructionsandoffwego.Roxyworkinggroundverywellinspiteofthepoorweather.Cameonpoint,Iwalkeduptoher,birdflushed,shesat,thegunfiredashotcloseenoughtobeasrealisticaspossible.Offwegoagain,thesecondrunwasasthefirstrun,onthethirdruntherewasnoshotfried.IaskedforadviceonpositioninggunswhenRoxywasonpointifthishadbeenawalkedupday,

RoxywasawardedherWorkingGundogCertificate,IwasreallypleasedIfeltwehadworkedasateamandIwaspleasedwithhowshehadworked.Iwouldrecommendtheweekendtoanyonewantingtoworktheirdogs,asyougetafeelforhowawalkedupdayworksandanunderstandingfieldcraft. TheresaPeersandRoxy

24

BacktoBasicsSocialisingaPuppySocialisingisaboutthepuppybecomingconfidentwithpeopleandadultdogsindifferentlocations,sotakethemoutwithyouasmuchasyoucantogetthemusedtotraffic,towns,shoppingcentres,pubs,otherhousesandtheveterinarysurgery,aswellasthecountryside,wheretheyshouldencounterlivestockandfarmmachineryundercontrolledconditions.Letthemmeetplentyofdifferentpeople,rememberingthatsomethingassimpleasahatorabeardmakesahumanfaceappeartotallydifferenttoapuppy.

Theyneedtomeetsuitableadultdogstolearntobehavearoundthem,andshouldbeexposedtoreasonablelevelsofnoiseandactivityaroundthem.Thereisonlyashorttimetodothisbeforetheyenteradevelopmentalfearperiod,sotaketimeoffworkifnecessaryandcommittotheireducation.Doingthislittleandoftenisthebestway,alwaysgivingherspacetoretreatifshebecomesuncertain.Timeputinnowwillbeusefulforherfuture.

FromJackieDrakefordkcai(cd)dogbehaviouristandtrainer

ShouldICastratemyDog?HealthBenefitsCastrationremovesthepossibilityoftesticularcancer.Inaddition,theincidenceofprostatediseaseandothercancersisreduced.Surgicalneuteringindogsisalsothemostcommonmeansofpopulationcontrol.Thoughamongresponsibledogownersthisapproachmayappearunnecessary,thousandsofpetsendupasunwantedstrayseachyear.IntheUS,euthanasiaofstrayshasbeendescribedasthebiggestcauseofdeathinthedogpopulation.

HealthProblemsafterCastrationAdullandslightlythinnercoatmaybeseenaftercastration.Dogsmayrequirelessfoodthanpriortotheoperationtoavoiddevelopmentofobesity.Lethargyisunlikely;infact,somebelievethatcastrationisinvigorating.Freudtaughtthatmensuffered‘castrationanxiety’andaremorelikelytoresistcastrationoftheirdogs.Artificialreplacementtestesareavailableinvarioussizes,butarenotroutinelyimplantedintheUK.

DoesCastrationCureBehaviouralProblemsBehavioursforwhichcastrationhasbeencarriedoutasatreatmentincluderoaming,aggressionandinappropriateurinemarkinginthehouse.Iamcautiouswhenadvisingonthebenefitsofcastrationinthesecasesandoftenrefertoatrainerorbehaviourist.Someresearchersreportanincreasednumberofcastrateddogsendingupindogpounds,possiblyascastrationhasfailedtocontrolavarietyofunwantedtraits.

AtWhatAgeShouldDogsbecastrated?Earlycastrationhasbeendefinedasbeingaslessthansixmonthsold,andisbecomingmorepopularamongvets.Evidenceforthebenefitsofearlycastrationisstillbeinggathered–forexample,somestudiesshowreductioninbehaviours,butanincreaseinhipdysplasiaandnoisephobias.Otherstudiesreportnophysicaldifferencebutareductioninbehaviouralproblems.

HarveyCarruthersVetCornerfromShootingtimes

DidyouknowDidyouknow.....thatdogswereusedincombatbyalmosteveryancientcivilization,includingtheEgyptians,GreeksandPersiansand,ofcourse,theRomans,whoformedentirebattalionsoftheirarmythatconsistedsolelyofmastiffsinspikedcollarsandchain‐mailarmour?Dogswerealsousedinwartimeformorepeacefultasks,mostnotablyasPrussianmessengersduringtheregion’sSevenYears’WarwithRussia,andagainforthesamepurposebytheUniontroopsduringtheAmericanCivilWar.

25

TakingyourHPRsabroad….onacanoe

InthemiddleofawetanddarkJanuary,TomcameuptheratherromanticnotionthatinthesummerweshouldcanoedowntheDordogne‐sellingmetheideathatwewouldbetakingintheglorioussunshine,foodandwineofsouthernFrancewhilstblissfullypaddlingdownoneofEurope’sgrandestrivers.‘Fine,soundsfun,butwherewillweleavethedogs?’Iasked.‘They’llcomewithus!’hereplied.Myquicksearchontheinternetrevealedthatwhilstitispossibletogetdogsinacanoethesetendtobequitesmall,quietdogs‐definitelynotthecharacteristicsI’dchoosetodescribetwoyoungWeimaraners!

MoreresearchrevealedthatontheDordognemostpeoplehireboatsandequipmentinthelowerpartoftheriver,wherethewatersweepsslowlythroughwidevalleysandthetourcompaniesferryequipmentbetweenbases.However,Tomhaddevisedaverydifferentplan:wewouldgetatraditionalhand‐madecanoe;adaptittoourneedssothatbothofus,thedogsandtwoweeks’worthofequipmentwouldfitin;driveitallthewaytotheSouthofFrance;startinthehigherpartsoftheriver,wherewewouldcanoe180kmintwoweeksthroughwhitewaterrapidsinordertoreachariversidetrainstation;Tomwouldthentravelbytrain,busandfootbacktothecarandreturntopickme,thedogsandtheequipmentupbeforedriving1000kminasinglelegtoarrivehometwohoursbeforeweweredueatalongstandingsocialengagement;nottomentionthatwewouldcampeverynight(withthedogs),andliveofflocalproducecookedalongtheroute.Clearly,thiswasridiculousbutdespitemybesteffortstoconvincehimthatmaybethewholeideawasjustabittoomental,inmid‐July2012wefoundourselvesperchedonasmallhandmadeboat,balancedtwoinchesabovethewaterlinewith40kgsofequipmentand70kgsofoverexcitedHPRsheadingstraighttowardthecrashingwavesandangularrocksofourfirsteverClassII+whitewaterrapid.

Togettherewehaddriventhroughthenighthopingthatthedogswouldjustsleepandthebootwouldn’tbeunbearablyhot.TheChannelTunnelwasincrediblyeasytouseandthedogsdidn’thavetobecheckedonthewayoutofthecountry.Thetunnel’sexerciseareahadagilityfurniture,dogbagsandbinssoLutherandDulciewereabletostretchtheirlegsat2ambeforewedroveontothetrain.

TwodaysbeforeweleftforFrancewehadtakenthedogsforawalkwithAndyandTheresa.TheytoldusaboutwhentheyusedtotakeFlakeskiingintheAlpsandhowenjoyableitwas.AndysuggestedlookingagainatEuropeanbreakdowncoverastheircar,whichhadneverhadaproblemintheUK,brokedownalmostassoonastheygotoutofthetunnel.Thisturnedouttobeverypertinentadviceasafter15hoursontheroadourtrustyVWGolfstartedbillowingblacksmokeoutoftheexhaustandlostallpoweronthemainmotorwayinsouthernFrance.Withthetemperaturerisingandairconditioningnotanoptionwehadtogetthedogsoutofthecarandintosomeshade.Fortunatelywehadpackedplentyofwaterandhadtheirbowls

26

Pushmepullyou?

andleadshandy.We’vetriedtoalwaysmakesurethatthedogssitandwaitforustoputtheirleadsonratherthanjumpingstraightoutofthebootasitisopened,andonthehardshoulderofaverybusyandloudmotorway,weweregladwehadputsomucheffortintotheirtraining!Afteranhourorsothecarwastowedoffthemotorwaybyadodgylocalmechanic.AtthegaragehespoketoGreenFlagtellingthemthattheturbohadgoneandthecarwaswrittenoff.Howhereachedthisdiagnosiswasamysterytousashedidn’tevenlookunderthebonnetand,moreworryingly,ourcardoesn’thaveaturbo!

OtherclappedoutcarscameandwentaswesatinthesunforfivehourshopelesslywaitingforGreenFlagtofinduseitheraccommodationthatwouldacceptdogs,oracarhirecompanythatwouldacceptbothdogsandcanoes!Wewerestuckonaremoteindustrialestatesowhen5pmcameandallpossibleoptionshadbeenexhaustedIdidwhatmostgirlsdointhesekindofdesperatesituationsandstartedtocry.Tom,notlikingtoseemeupset,thecarscrapped,thedogsstrandedandtheholidayruinedbeforeithadevenstarted,wasspurredonandwentbackintothegarageto‘sortitout.’Themechanicstillwouldn’thelpandso,usinganiPhonetosupplementhissomewhatlimitedknowledgeofautomotiveengineering,Tomsomehowmanagedtofixthecarhimself.Theairintakemanifoldhadsimplylostit*connectorandbecomedislodged.Apparently.Twentyminutesandajubileecliplater,ourlittlecarwhizzedoutofthegaragewithoutatraceofblacksmokeandwewereonourwayagain!

Wefinallyarrivedatourstartingpointandthenextday,afterlunchwepackedupeverythingwewouldneedandsetoff.Itwasaprettygreyday(notwhatyouwouldexpectforthesouthofFrance!)andtheriverwaswideanddeep.Wehadabout7Kmtodothatdayandtherewereplentyofrapidsforustohaveagoat.WemanagedOKto startwith;onerapiddidswampusa littlesowehadtopullupandbailout usingTom’sshoe,whichwasnotideal. Onourwayagainandwecametoour firstClassII+rapid.It’sworthsaying thatTomandIarenotexperienced canoeistsandwithafullyladenboatwe werenotfantasticatmanoeuvring ourselves.Weendeduphittingthisrapid sideonwhich,again,wasnotideal.Itfelt likeslowmotionaswewerethrown fromtheboatandpushedunderthe wavesbytheratherfastcurrent.Itwas VERYdeep.Atleastthedoglifejackets wereinstantlyworthwhile:murkycoloured dogsinmurkycolouredwaterarenotan easyspot.Luther,astrongswimmer,startedswimmingbackupstreamuntilIcalledoutandfromthenonwardshestayedswimmingatmysideuntilweeventuallygottothebank.Tomhadgoneaftertheboatandmanagedtograbholdofit.Dulcie,asamuchmoredecisivedoggie,wentstraightafterTom,climbeduphisback,overhisheadandstoodwithallfourfeetinonespotontopoftheonlypartoftheboatthatwasabovethewater.LutherwaskeentogoafterTomsoIcalledhimwithmywhistleatwhichpointDulcierealisedhererrorinstickingwiththeboatandjumpedinelegantlyfromherplatformandcametomeaswell.Tomwasthenabletogettheboatundercontrolandsteeritintothebankafterwhichwejusthadtoemptytheboatofwater.ItwasrainingbynowandIwasprettymiserable.Ihadbrokenmytoeandbangedmyknee(itswelledupnicelyandI’vestillgotthescar!)butwemadeittoourcampsiteandthesuncameout.Wefoundthatourequipmenthadwithstoodthehardesttestitwouldhaveallholiday,fullsubmersion,andthatourdrybarrelsandbagswerejustthat;dry!Nosoggydogfoodordampsleepingbags.Tomhadevenmanagedtograbholdofhisshoeswhichweretheonlythingsnotieddown.

27

AwalkinthefieldsaroundSt.Sozy

FamilyphotoatBeynac1

WecapsizedthenextdayaswellbutthatwasveryclearlyDulcie’sfault.Temporarilytrappedbythecurrentagainstrocksinafastrapidandwiththepreviousday’seventsfreshinhermind,shemadethesnapdecisiontojumpoutoftheboatandindoingsopushedusfromtherocksandunderthewater.Queuerain(itwasnottheweatherwewerebankingon)andanotherdifficultswimfightingthecurrenttoguidethesubmergedboattotheshore.Afterafewdaystheriverthankfullysloweddownandthewaterbecamemuchmoremanageable.Thedogsevenlearnttoheartheapproachingrapidsandwedidnotcapsizefortherestofthetrip!

Allthecampsitesalloweddogsaslongastheywere‘inevitablyonthelead’;acurioussignwefrequentlyencountered.Mostrequiredanominalfeeof€1perdog.Thecampsiteswestayedatwererightontheriverbankwhichwasgreatforpractisingwaterretrievesintheevenings.Someofthecampsiteswereverybeautifulandourparticularfavouritewasapicturesquewalnutorchardwhereyoucampedamongstthetreesontheedgeoftheriver.

CampingwasfunbutIthinkthedogsenjoyedspendingthenightswithusmuchmorethanweenjoyedspendingthenightswiththem!However,twoweeksonthemovewithsolittletimerelaxedmeantthattheywereexhausteddespitethefactthatmostdaystheyjusthadsomepaddlingandtheoddlong swimforexercise.We didgoonacoupleof reallyenjoyable walksacrossincredibly beautifulcountryside, howeverwalkingdid notseemtobepopularinthis regionofFranceanda lotofthefootpaths wereveryovergrownor ‘messy’.Dogwalking seemednon‐existent amongstthelocalsand otherthanmangystreet muttstheonlyFrenchdogs wesawwere

beingcarriedinbags!Thepeoplewereveryfriendly,infactitwashardtoget anypeaceasthedogsandboatattractedsomuchattention!Luther washappywiththe(Englishspeaking)DutchbuttookastrongdisliketoanyonespeakingFrench.YoucanthrowanythingatDulcieandshewillmanage–shewasn’tfazedbypeoplespeakinginanylanguage!Wedidhavetotakehertoavetasanemergencythough;shehadagastrointestinalinfectionandwaspassingblood,noteatinganddrinkingverylittle.Thiswasn’tahugeproblemasthevetsinFrancewerefantasticandeasytofind.Thetwothatwewenttorequirednoappointment,couldspeakgoodEnglishandwereveryknowledgeable.DulcieneededantibioticswhichcomparedtotheUKwereincrediblycheaphowevermusthavebeenunflavouredastheywerealsoincrediblyhardtogethertoswallow!

PractisingwaterretrievesnearSouliac

28

Dulcieplanningthejourneyhome–definitely

Overallthedogswereexcellentandtheadventurewasagoodexperienceforusall.Howeverwelearntthatwewoulddo thingsdifferentlyifweEVERdidanythingsimilaragain.Thedogs (particularlyLuther)foundbeingawayfortwoweeksquite stressfulandcoupledwiththefactthattheybarelyhadany timewheretheycouldjustdowhattheypleased(no gardentopotteraroundin,missingtheirownbedtosettlein) theywereabitskittishandtiredTherewerenot manygoodwalksinthisregionofFrance,itwouldhave beenusefultohavehadorganisedsomelandwithpermission toworkthemonIfwewentagain wewouldrentacottageasabaseandgoondaytripsfromthere(somethingIoriginallysuggestedandTomdiscounted!).

Pitchingyourtentandpackingitupagaingetstediousveryquicklywhenyoudoiteverydayfor14days,asdoeshavingthedogsassleepingspacecompanions!

PETSPassportsTotakedogstoFranceoranyothercountryinthePETStravelscheme(mostofEurope)eachpetneedstobemicrochippedandinspectedbyanauthorisedvettobeissuedwithapassport(wepaid£90perdog).Thismustshowthedateoftheirrabiesvaccination(£50)whichmustbeatleast21daysbeforeleavingtheUK.Forthepassporttoremainvalid,thedogsmusthaveaboostereveryyear(£50).Ifyoumisstheboosterthenthepassportlapsesandyoumustpayforawholenewpassport!Aswellasrabies,thecontinenthasadelightfularrayofwormsandbitinginsectscarryinganassortmentofunusualdiseasesandparasites.BeforeyoucomebacktotheUKyoumusttakeyourpettoavetforwormingtreatmenttopreventanythingbeingbroughtbackintothecountry.Whilstnotlegallynecessary,itisrecommendedthatyoutreatyourpetbeforeyoutravelsotheydonotbecomeillwhilstonholiday.WeusedAdvocatandAdvantecspot‐onstoprotectagainstticksandheartworm(£15pertreatmentperdog).IresearchedvetsinthetownwherewewerestayingandusedGooglestreetviewtocheckexactlywheretheyweresothatfindingavetwouldbeasstressfreeaspossible!Priorto2012youhadtotravelbackhomebetween24‐48hoursofthewormingtreatmentbeingadministeredhoweverthatwindowhasnowbeenextendedto24‐120hrs(althoughwedidnotknowthatwhenwewerethere.)TheChannelTunnelalsochargesanextra£30perdog,whichseemsexcessive,howevertherewerereallygoodfacilitiestoexercisethedogsatbothendsofthetunnelandtheanimalinspectionwasveryefficient.

FOODAnadditionalproblemwefacedwaspackingthe24Kgofdogfoodneededfortwoweeksaway.Wesealedthekibbleupintoindividualportionsusingfreezerbagsandsqueezedthemallintoapairof30litredrybarrels(which,evenwhenlashedsidebyside,managedtotakeupmostofourcanoe!)andhopedthatthey’dlastthetrip.

LIFEJACKETSItisalegalrequirementforpeopletowearbuoyancyaidsontheDordogneandeventhoughthedogsarestrongswimmersmymumboughtthemspeciallifejackets(£26each)asapresenttomakesureallfourofuscameback!Wewereduetospendtwofullweeksonfastmovingwaterwithahighriskofcapsizingsowethoughtthatthelifejacketswouldofferussomepeaceofmindifnothingelse!Asitturnedouttheywereactuallyreallyuseful;theirhighvisibilitymadethedogseasytoseeinthewater,thehandleonthebackmadehaulingthemintotheboateasier,theykeptthemwarmwhentheywerewetandprotectedthemfromtheharshsunwhenitwashot.Coupledwiththeboatitmadethemapopularphotoopportunityforothertourists! AliceEaton

29

NorthWestGroupClayShootWinners1stRobIrvine2ndTomKirby3rdequalLewisHerbert,CharlieWilson,PaulSmart

DidYouKnow Didyouknow.........thatnearlyacenturyafterPavlov’sfamous‘conditionedreflex’research,anddecadesaftertheSovietsput‘Laika’inspace,dogscontinuetoserveasanintegralresourcetoscientistspursuingnewtechnologies?ArecentEUprojectaimedatimprovingrobotefficiencylookedatthree‐leggeddogs’reactionstotheirlimbloss,inhopesthatthestudy’sfindingscouldhelpresearchersdevelopamechanismthatwouldallow‘injured’robotstoretaintheirfunctionality.

30

1stAugustQuizNight–FieldCraft,attheOldHall,Chinley

AspecialthankyoutoGeoffandEddiefororganisingandrunningtheevent.

31

NorthWestGroupShowDogoftheYearTrophy

Thewinner of the Show Trophy this year is Karen Plikingtonwith TarkanyaDaisy’sDaydreamofBaycrossgaininga totalof86points. Welldone toKarenand insecondplacewith23pointsisMaureenNixonwithQuintanaMagic,welldoneMaureen.ThistrophyisawardedannuallyattheGroupAGMtothehandleranddogpartnershipthathasgainedthemostpointsatOpenandChampionshipshowsduringthepreviousyear.ThepurposeoftheschemeistoencouragemembersoftheNorthWestGrouptoparticipate inshowingeventsandthereforehelppreservethedual‐purposenatureofHPRbreeds.PointscanonlybegainedfromBreedcompetitionatOpenandChampionshipShowsLicensedbytheUKKennelClub, from January1sttoDecember31st. Pointscanonlybeclaimed fromoneBreedclasspershow.OPENSHOWS 1st 3points 2nd 2points 3rd 1pointPLUS BestofBreed 1point BestPuppyinBreed 1pointCHAMPIONSHIPSHOWS 1st 10points 2nd 9points 3rd 8points PLUS ChallengeCertificate 2points ReserveChallengeCertificate 1point BestPuppyinBreed 1pointGainingShowChampionshipstatus 30pointsELIGIBILITYTheregisteredownerofthedogmustbeafullypaidupmemberoftheGSPClubfortheperiodduringwhich thepointsareclaimed. Additionally, thedog (accompaniedby its registeredowner)musthaveattended aminimum of fourGroup training classes, other than the progress tests andworking test,betweenJanuary1standDecember31st.Ownersshouldsubmitalistofallawardsgainedinthequalifyingperiodontherelevantform(i.e.claimsfor theperiod January1st toDecember31st2011shouldbesubmittedbyApril30th2012). YourGSPCmembershipnumbermustbeincludedontheclaimformandallclaimswillbeverified.IntheeventofatietheCommitteewilldecidetheaward.Pleaseforwardclaimforms,byApril30th2012toRobIrvine[emailprotected]

32

TheLizAshtonMemorialTrophy

ThewinneroftheLizAshtonMemorialTrophythisyearisKarenSaynorwithTarkanyaSpikeysSplendourgainingatotalof81points.WelldoneKarenandEkko.Insecondplacewith54pointsisMaureenNixonwithQuintanaMagicandthirdplacewith13pointsisRobIrvinewithSeehofEmma,welldoneMaureenandRob.

TheTrophyistobeawardedannuallyattheGroupAGMtothehandleranddogpartnershipwhogainthemostpointsinfieldeventsduringtheyear.ThepurposeoftheschemeistoencouragemembersoftheNorthWestGrouptoimproveashandlersandtoentermorecompetitiveevents.

Handlersrunningmorethanonedogmaysubmitseparateclaimformsforeachdog.PointscanonlybegainedfromcompetitionatWorkingTestsandFieldTrialslicensedbytheUKKennelClub,PointingTestsandtheNWGProgressTests,fromMay1sttoApril30th.PointscanonlybeclaimedinoneclassperWorkingTesti.e.PuppyorNovice,whicheveristhehigher.OnlythehighestpointsforonetestineachcategoryoftheProgressTests–hunting,retrieving/tracking,obedience/steadinessandwatercanbeclaimedregardlessofthenumberoftestsentered.Amaximumof12pointscanthereforebegainedduringtheyear.

POINTINGTEST Excellent 2points VeryGood 1point

WORKINGTEST 1st 4points 2nd 3points 3rd 2points 4th 1point

FIELDTRIAL 1st 20points 2nd 15points 3rd 12points 4th 10points CoM 8pointsGainingFieldTrialChampionstatus 30points

ELIGIBILITYHandlersmustbefullypaidupmembersoftheGSPClubfortheperiodthatpointsarebeingclaimedandmustattendaminimumoffourGrouptrainingclassesaccompaniedbythedog,otherthantheprogresstestsandworkingtest,betweenMay1standApril30th.TheGSPCmembershipnumbermustbeincludedontheclaimformandallclaimswillbeverified.IntheeventofatietheCommitteewilldecidetheaward.TheGermanShorthairedPointerClubcannotacceptanyresponsibilityforanyinjury,damageorlosstoperson,dogorpropertywhilsttakingpartanythecompetitions.Pleaseforwardclaimforms,byApril30th2012toRobIrvine[emailprotected]

DUALPURPOSETROPHY

MaureenNixonhasdonatedaTrophytobeawardedtotheHighestplacedDog/BitchacrossbothShowingandWorkingevents.ThisDualPurposeTrophywillbeawardedattheAGMusingtheexistingLizAshton&ShowTrophyCriteria.Withtheadditionalrequirementthatthreeeventsinbothdisciplinesmustbeentered.

33

JinxfirstsessionatNWGGSPCSun15thAugust2010‐ Jinx5mths1wk

HPRtrainingclass

TheGroupstartedwiththecircle,asisthenormtosettlethedogs,heelwork,sit,weavinginandout.Alsodidsteadinesstothrowndummy’swhilstthecirclewasformed.Jinxhadhernosedownafewtimesandneededencouragementtoremainatheel,Itriedtokeepherattentiononmeasthedogsweavedpast,sheremainedsatwhilstthedummieswerethrown,althoughnoneweretooclosetoher.

Classthensplitintosmallergroups,

Wedidsitstay,approx15‐20paces,returningandrecall.Slightlyolderdogsinthegroupdidarecallwithastophalfway.

Ourpuppy/novicegroupthenmadeacircle,with1dogsatinthemiddlewhilsttheclasswalksclockwiseandanti‐clockwiseandstopstowhistle.Anotherdogisaddedtothecentreandtherestofgroupcontinueheelwork,thennextoneinthecentrenow3,remainingdogsstillwalkingatheelinthecircle,finallya4thdogintocentrewhilstcirclecontinuesaroundthem.Thedogsinthecentreremainsittingthewholetime,withhandlersstoodadistanceawaytheyarehappywith.

Nextwedosomeretrieves,seenandfewblinds.Jinxmarkstheretrieveswellandisallowedtoruninasthedummylands,sheretrievesit,fullsizedummy,andreturnsstraighttome.2ndretrieveshegoestotheotheryoungVizslafirstwithherdummy,butafewsecondslatershebringsittome.

Jinxcopeswellwithalltheaboveexercises,shewasthefirstdoginthecentreofcirclesowastherethelongest.Shemakesnoattemptstomoveandappearscalmwhilsttheotherdogswalkaroundalsostaysfocusedwhilstanotherolderdogpassesthroughthecentralgroup.AtthemomentJinxwillruninhardatyouonrecallandonretrieves,IamhappywiththisatthistimeasIknowshehasnoworriesaboutcomingintome.Igivehertonsofpraisebeforetakingthedummyorsittingher.

Thegrouphasarrangedsomehomingpigeonsforrelease.Thefirst3aredizzied,andplacedonthefloor,Fourofus,walkourdogsuptothefirstpigeon,theolderWeimaranerinfront,thenJinx,thenotherVizsla,then9mthVizsla,wearetoencourageourdogstobackthepointofthedoginfront.Jinxcouldseeandperhapssmellthepigeonherself,butwasn’tsurewhatwashappening,asthebirdwasputupbyEddiethedogsweretosittotheflush,JinxspunaroundbutIsatherdown.

Thesecondbird,thedogshadmoreofanideaofwhatwasgoingon,againJinxcouldsee/smellthedizziedpigeonandsheacknowledgeditspresencewithaslowstalk,(leadtootight)asthepigeonwasputup,Jinxwasmorereadyforitspinningaroundandwouldhavechasedhadshenotbeenonalead.

Thethirdpigeon,sheapproachedmoreslowlyandIcouldslackentheleadandtellherSTEADY,shewasstillexcitedwhenthebirdwasputupandagainwouldhavechased,

IwasreallypleasedthatIgottodothisexercisewhilstsheisstillunder6mths,hopefullywecandomore.Ineedtogetoutwithheratapigeonplaceandletherapproachslowly,andgethertositastheyflyoff.

Thefinallessonoftheday,theolder,moreexperienceddogsweretohaveagunshotfiredwhenthepigeonswereputup.Theyoungdogsstoodsomewayawayfromthegunbeingfired,itwasfired3timesinall,eachtimeJinxheardit,shelookedupexpectantlytoseewhatandwhereitwas.Ithenputherinthesitpositionwithatreat,andthenhadabitoffunwithher,inbetweeneachshot.

Ithinkshewasfine,andwilltryandgethertohearmoreshotsfiredatperhapsagamefairorclayground.–

JanetGough

34

Luther’sWorkingTestDebut

HungarianVizslaClubTestofWork JudgePeterGuest

Followingsomegentlepersuasion,LutherandIenteredourfirstworkingtestthissummer.AfteranearlystartwetravelleddowntoLeicestershirewithAndyPeersandCassie,hisyoungGSPbitch.Ihadaccidentallyenteredthewrongclass,SpecialBeginnersratherthanNovice,butfortunatelyMaureenNixonwasonhandtoensurethatwewereputintothecorrectdivision!

HuntingForthefirsttestdogswererunonafieldapproximately120yardswidetodemonstratethattheycouldquarterinaproficientmanner,coverallgroundatareasonablespeedwhilstscentingforgameandbekeptundercontrolbytheirhandler.TheworkwastobejudgedagainstthestandardaGunwouldexpectofadogworkingaheadofhimonaday’spaidshooting.Thefieldofroughgrasshadbeenunexpectedlycutthatmorningbythelandownerandwascroppedasbareasafootballpitch.Therewasvisiblynogameonthegroundandpresumablylittlescent.Wewere16thtorunandLutherseemedtofindthelongwaitrathertaxing.Whenourturneventuallycamehecastoffatspeed,runningpurposelyacrossthegentlewindbeforepromptlystoppingtoco*ckhisleg;slightlyembarrassing!Ipushedhimonandfromthatpointheworkedreasonablywell,lookingslightlyoverenthusiasticyetresponsivetothewhistleandliftinghisheadtoscentthebreeze.Iwasalittledauntedbythewidthofthebeatandonlyreallycoveredhalfthegroundaheadofus.AfterwardsthejudgesaidthathewasveryhappywithLuther’shuntingandourteamwork,butthatIhadn’tlethimrunwideenoughtoreachthehedgerowswhereanygamewouldhavebeen.Whenthescoreswereannouncedattheendofthedayour33/40wascredibleandcertainlybetterthanIfeltwedeserved!

WaterRetrieveAfterlunchwehadourfirstretrieve,aseenintowaterandonthisoccasionbeinglastinthequeuewasquiteanadvantage.Returningparticipantsletslipthattheimpatientdummythrowerwashurlingtheminbeforethedogswereset,consequentlyseveraldidnotmarktheflightorranin.AsourturncameIheeledLuther throughthewoodstowardstheedgeofthe pond,passedupthethrower’srequest foradummyandwaiteduntilI’dsetthedog beforedulyhandingitover.Thepondwas claybottomedwithagentleentrypoint.The conditionswerefavourablebutdogsneeded towadethrough15yardsofshallowwater beforeandafterbreakingintothe10yardswim; aninvitationtospitdummiesshortiftheywere temptedtoshakeoff.Pre‐sat,Lutherwas steadytothedummyandmarkeditsflight beforeenteringthewaterfromasingle commandwithouthesitation.Thedummywaspickedneatlyanddeliveredquicklytohandundernofurtherinstruction;fullmarkswereawarded.ItwasarelativelysimpleretrievebutkeepingquietwhilstLutherwasworkingalmostkilledme!

BlindRetrieveFortheblind,adummyhadbeenplaced80yardsacrossafieldwithoutbeingseenbythedogs.Thelinetobetakenwasalongaslightdipinanopenfieldbeforerisingontoaplateaupastasmallcopsethatthedummythrowerwashidingbehind.Theweakcheek‐to‐backwindofferedlittleassistancebuttheterrainwasencouraging.IsentLutheroutandafterjustfiveyardshepirouetted360°beforecarryingonatfullgallopalongtheoriginalline.Idon’tknowifitwasexuberanceorhewasjusttryingtomake

35

megaspbuteitherwayitworked!Aftersixtyyardshesathimselfneatly,allowingmetopushhimon.Thesingle‘back’tookhimpastthedummytowherehewindedit,pickingitonthehoofandthenbringingitbackwithgusto.Wewereawarded19/20.PushinghimonhadlikelycostusamarkbutoverallIwasverypleasedwiththeretrieve;itwasfurtherthananyblindswehadpracticedandLuthersurprisedmewithhisconfidenceintakingaline.

SplitRetrieveThefinaltestwasatrickymemory‐blindsplit.Lutherwassatexcitedlywhilstadummywasthrownintoafieldofwheataheadofus,landingoutofview.Weturned90°tofaceapatchofroughcoveradjacenttoanothercopse.Iwastoldadummyhadbeenthrownearlier,landinginaclumpofcowparsleyroughly30yardsaheadandrightofus.Thepaththatwewerepositionedonledtowardstheroughbutcurledleft,upwindandawayfromthedummy.IsentLutheroutalongthepathandafter20yardsIgaveablastonthestopwhistletohalthim.Satfacingme,Ithensignalledhimtoturnrightintothecover.Ihadexpectedthathewouldneedtohuntalittleforthedummybutfortuitouslyhislinetookhimdirectlyoverit.Hebroughtittohandandthensatatmyside,eagertobesentintothewheatfortheotherdummy.ForthisretrieveIwaseffectivelyblindwiththedogworkingoutofsight,nonethelesshereturnedmomentslaterwiththedummy.Againwescored19/20.

ResultTherewasagreatatmospherealldayanditwasreallyenjoyableseeingthedogsworkwell.Aswerelaxedintheafternoonsunthejudgesgottogethertoscorethedogs.Eventuallytheawardswereannouncedinreverseorder.WehadenteredfortheexperiencebutIthoughtLutherhadadecentrunandhadmaybeevendoneenoughtoget4thor5thplace.Consequently,Iwasquitedisappointedwhenfirst5th,then4thandfinally3rdplaceswerereadoutandwehadbeenoverlooked.Dejectionturnedtodelightaslu*ther’snameandminewerecalledoutforfirstplace,Iwasgenuinelystunned!OverallitwasanimpressiveshowingfromtheNWGSPgroup,havingfouryoungdogsplacedacrosstwocategories.ForbeginnerslikemyselfIwoulddefinitelyrecommendenteringworkingtests.NotonlydidIseehowfarwe’dcome,fromhimbeingatinypupandmeknowingnothingaboutHPRs,butIwasalsoabletousethescorestoanalyseourstrengthsandweaknesses.ClearlyourhuntingneededmostworkandsoI’vesincescaledbacktimespentpracticingretrievesandhavebeenhittingthefieldshardinsearchofgame.AlthoughperhapsthemostusefullessonofthedaywasthatthedogiscapableofworkingwhilstIkeepmymouthshut!

36

RemainsofthedayusingallyouChristmasleftover’s

LeftoverTurkey

Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a pan and sauté 1peeled and finely chopped large onion for 3‐4minutesuntilsoft. Stir in2tbspofcurrypasteandtomatopureeandcookfor2mins.Removefromheatandstir in5tbspofmangochutney,100g sultanas&300mlcrème fraiche. Fold in500g cooked leftover turkey, torn into chunks.Heatthroughandservewithsaladand/orchips.

LeftoverSprouts

Melt25gunsaltedbutter ina large fryingpan.Fry 1 peeled and finely chopped onion for 3‐4minsuntilsoft, then tip intoa largebowl. Mixthe onion with 50g fresh white breadcrumbs,500g leftover mashed potato and 250g finelychopped leftover vegetables such as sprouts,swedeandcarrots.Seasonwellandforminto4patties. Heat 25g unsalted butter in the pan,add the patties and cook over amedium heatfor2‐3minsoneachsidetillpipinghot.

LeftoverStilton

Heat1tbspoliveoil ina largepan,fry1peeledand chopped onion, 6 chopped celery sticks,500gmarispiperpotatoes (peeledandcut intolargechunks)and20gunsaltedbutter.Add1ltrvegstock.Bringtotheboil,thenlowertheheatandsimmerfor20min. Add14gfreshparsley,chopped thenwhizz inablenderuntil smooth.Stir through 100g leftover stilton. Serves 4 –sprinklewithfreshgroundpepper.

LeftoverChristmasPud

Preheattheoventogas4,180corfan160c.Ina microwave, melt 150g unsalted butter with200g chopped white chocolate. Cool slightly,whisk3eggswith150gcaster sugarwith1 tspvanilla essence, and then whisk into thechocolate.Stirin125gplainflourand150gleftoverChristmaspud. Pour intoa20x20cm lined(withgreaseproofpaper)cake tin. Bake for30min.Whencool,cutintosquares.

37

BASICSAUSAGEMAKINGFORBEGINNERSPhilAckley

Whatisasausage?Asausageisanytypeofmeatorbloodthatisseasonedinvariouswaysandfilledintocasingswhichmaybeofanimaloriginorsynthetic.MostsausagesintheUKaresoldfreshandneedcookingbeforeeating.SomesausagesarecookedwhenyoupurchasethemandrequireheatingthroughbeforeconsumptionexamplesofthisareblackpuddingandhaggisEquipmentMincer,handorelectricLargemixingbowlSausagefillingattachmentthatfitsthemincerScalesWatermeasuringjugRecipe5lbofleanpork/mixedgameorvenisonfreeofbonesrindandgristle2½lbofbellyporkfreeofbonesrindandgristle4ozsausageseasoningofyourchoice12ozpinheadruskbindsthemixtogether1½ptwaterSausagecasingssheeporpig(Iwouldrecommendpigcasingsforbeginners)soakinwarmwaterforabout4hourstosoftentheskinsandremovethesaltYoucanincreaseordecreasetheaboveamountstosuityourneedsMethodMincethemeattothedesiredcoarseness(themincershouldhave3differentplateswithit,thisallowsyoutohavethedesiredtextureyoupreferMixtogethertheseasoningsandthemincedmeatinthebowl,ensuretheseasoningsareevenlydistributed,addsomeoftheruskandmixaddingalittlewater,carryonuntilallthewaterandruskhasbeenadded.Re‐mincethemixture.DismantlethemincerandattachthesausagefillerPutalengthofthecasingontothesausagefillernozzle,about6footofcasing.Forcethesausagemeat intothemincerandallowthemeattofillintothe casings,oncefilledpinchthefilledskinsat3to4 inchintervalstoformasausageshape,repeat theprocessuntilallthesausagemeatisfilled, hangandallowthesausagetodrybefore refrigeratingAllow24hoursbefore eatingtoallowseasoningstodevelopEquipment,seasoning,ruskandsausageskinscanbeboughtfromthefollowingsuppliers.Porkcanbeboughtfromanybutchersandgameisavailablefromlocalshoots

Weschenfelderwww.weschenfelder.co.ukWww.designasausage.comtel01663764208Agood,easytofollowstarterbookontheabovesubjectisTheSausageBook,NickSandlerandJohnnyActon

38

PigeonwithWalnutsSmallhandfulofwalnuts150mlsweetwhitewine4pigeons2tspoliveoilSprigfreshthymeSeasalt+freshgroundblackpepperNightbeforeputwalnutsinasmallbowlandcoverwithwine(needtobecompletelycovered)coverwithClingfilmandleaveovernightDebristhepigeonsandwashmeat,patdrywithakitchenpaperHeatinlargefryingpanoveramediumheat,addoliveoilandthyme.Addthepigeonbreastandcookfor30secondsoneachsideuntilslightlycoloured.Removefrompanandcutintothickslices,keepthecookingjuices.Tipthewalnutsandwineintothefryingpan,bringtotheboilandcontinuetocookuntiltheliquidreducedbyathird.Seasonwithsaltandpepper.Addtheslicedpigeon.Turnofftheheat,andcoverthepanwithalidorfoilandleavefor10minutes.Servethepigeonwiththewalnutsandpourthewineoverthetop–lovelywithgamechips

FestiveAppleandTomatoChutney700gRipeTomatoes(peeledandroughlychopped)700gBramleyapples(peeled/cored/chopped)125gSultanas275mlCiderVinegar1tspmedcurrypowderandsalt½tspgroundmixedspice/groundgingerandmustardpowder225gDemeraraSugar3x300gSterilisedJarsPuttomsandapplesinapanwiththesultanas,vinegar,currypowder,spice,ginger,mustardandsalt.Bringtotheboil–stiroccasionally.Addsugarandstirtilldissolved,simmer,uncoveredfor1‐1½hrs.StirringoccasionallyuntilthickenedDivideupintotheJars.Leavetocoolandmatureinadarkplaceforamonthbeforeusing.

KarenPilkington’s‘GunDog’

39

www.hprgroup.co.uk

AfewstatisticsDuringJulytoSeptemberthesiteattractedover4075visits,averaging1358amonth.Ourstatisticsalsoshow41.94%camefromtheUK,33.93%camefromUSA,6.79%camefromChinaand3.40%camefromFrance,wealsohavevisitorsfromAfrica,Asia,CanadaandAustraliaandmanyothers.ThetopsearchtermsareHPR,butvisitorsalsousingTraining,Working,Gundog,GSP,Retrieve,NorthwestandWatergrove,soarealmixedbag.

Didyouknow?

Didyouknow...theEnglishword‘dog’comesfromtheOldEnglish‘dogca’whichismostlikelyderivedfromtheProto‐Germanic‘dukkon’,awordsignifyingstrength.Theassociationofdogswithphysicalmightmakessense,giventhedog’spositionasthefirstanimaldomesticatedbyhumans.‘Dogca’alsoincorporatesthediminutive‐gathatwasacomponentofmanyanimals’namesinOldEnglish,including‘picga’{pig}and‘frogga’{frog}.

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Visits

40

GundogEquipmentLoan&Sale

TheGroupcarriesstockoftrainingequipmentfortheconvenienceofthemembers.Oftenusingasoileddummycanbecounterproductive.Keepyourdummiescleanandreplacethemwhentheybecomeoldandtatty.Belowisaselectionoftrainingequipmentthatweusuallyhaveinstock.Otherequipmentcanbepurchasedthroughthegroup.PleaseseeEddieforaquotation.

Dummies:Puppy,Intermediate,1lb,disc,Humbug,softetc.Whistles:210,210½,211,2111/2,212,thunderer606BoltinghareelasticBlanks:longblanks,longblanksred,shortblanks,DummylauncherOrings:TurnerRichardsandQuestHiVizstretchcollar

DVD:Pre‐recordedDVDshavebeendonatedbymembersoftheGroup.WehaveaselectionofDVDsonHPRtraining.Thesecanbeborrowedbymembers.PleaseseeEddieKaniaifyouareinterested.

DummyLauncher:SlightlydifferentfromtheDVDsweneeda£50deposit,refundablewhenthelauncherisreturned.BlanksareavailablefromEddie.

HandMadeLeatherDogLeadsandCollars:

Allitemsaremadefromtopqualitybridleleatherandarehandstitchedwithwaxedlinenthread.Metalpartsaremadefromcastbrassandwillnotrust.Becauseofthequalityofmaterialsused,apartfromneglecttheproductsofmyworkshouldlastalifetime.SeveralpatternsofcollarsareavailableincludingplainleatherwithbuckleandDring,leatherandbrasssemi‐checketc.Variousleadtypes–plainleatherwithtriggerhook,plainleather

slipwithbrassring,plainleathertobrassandleathersemi‐check,‘police’trainingstyleand‘German’huntingtype(roundleatherwithstagantlerfittings).Alsomypopular‘beaterscoatsling’,beltsandgunslings.Otheritemscanbemadetoyourrequirements.ContactGeoffWood:[emailprotected]or07764932773.HandBraidedLeatherLanyards:Braidedkangarooleatherlanyards

Inaselectionofdifferentcoloursincluding,black,darkbrown,lightbrown,darkgreen,jadegreen,blue,pink,purple,turquoise,tan,white,yellow,navy,mid‐blue,maroonandred.,foryourdogwhistle,keys,mobilephoneetc.PleaseseeKarenSaynorforsamplesofthecoloursavailable.e.mail:[emailprotected]Tel:01352716099www.lagopus.co.ukorwww.ekkolander.co.uk

41

THEGERMANSHORTHAIREDPOINTERCLUBNORTHWESTGROUP

SHOWDOGOFTHEYEARCLAIMFORM

REGISTEREDNAMEOFDOG REGISTEREDOWNER(S)OFDOG GSPCMEMBERSHIPNUMBER

Date Show/Society Open/CHShow Award Points Total

42

THEGERMANSHORTHAIREDPOINTERCLUBNORTHWESTGROUP

LIZASHTONMEMORIALTROPHYNameofHandler/Dog GSPClubMembershipNumber

Date NameofSociety WorkingTest FieldTrial PointingTest GroupProgressTest Points

Total

43

NORTHWESTGROUPTRAININGCLASSES&EVENTS2013

MeetingTimes:‐ Sundays 9.45am.Fora10.00am.To12.00pmSUNDAYJANUARY20th SOUTHDALE,HOOTON,ELLESMEREPORT

SUNDAYFEBRUARY17th HOOMOORTAXAL,WHALEYBRIDGE

SUNDAYMARCH17th LOADBROOK,nrSTANNINGTON

SUNDAYAPRIL21st TANDLEHILLFARM,CASTLETON,MIDDLETONGtrManchester

SUNDAYMAY12th NWGCLAYSHOOTTHEBOARSHOOTCROWDEN

SUNDAYMAY19th RYLESWOOD,PLATTWOODFARM‐LYMEPARK‐AGM

SUNDAYJUNE16th HOLLINGWORTHHALL,HOLLINGWORTH

SUNDAYJULY21st WATERGROVE,ROCHDALE‐ WORKINGTEST.

WEDNESDAYAUGUST7th FIELDCRAFTDISCUSSIONEVENING,COUNTRYSIDEQUIZ &HOTPOSTSUPPER,OLDHALLWHITEHOUGH

SUNDAYAUGUST18th BRUSHESCLOUGHSHAW inc WaterTrainingSUNDAYSEPTEMBER15th BRUSHESCLOUGH,SHAW inc WaterTrainingSUNDAYOCTOBER20th TANDLEHILLFARM,CASTLETON,MIDDLETONGtrManchesterSUNDAYNOVEMBER17th BOARFOLD,CHISWORTHSUNDAYDECEMBER15th RINGSTONES,FURNESSVALE FOLLOWEDBYXMASLUNCHVISITwww.hprgroup.co.ukforuptodategroupinformationPLEASENOTE‐Ifyoudonotattendtrainingclassesregularlypleasecheckvenueswithanymemberofthecommitteeorthesecretary.OnarrivalattheparkingareaforTrainingGrounds,pleasekeeptothefollowingGuidelines.Parkneatlyandquietly.Keepalldogsinvehiclesuntilwearereadytomoveoff.Dogsmustbekeptonalead,untilwearriveatTrainingGrounds.Trytoexercisedogsbeforearrivalfortraining.

DOGSTOBEKEPTONLEADATALLTIMESUNLESSUNDERINSTRUCTION

SECRETARY:EddieKania,DaisyBank

LeadenKnowleChinley

HighPeakSK236DATel 07974 168 188

E-mail [emailprotected]

THAT’SALLFORTHISYEARFOLKS!!!HAVEAMERRY

CHRISTMASANDNEWYEAR