The natural choice of working dog for most shooters in the UK would be one of our native breeds such as a Labrador or a hard hunting spaniel but there are other choices. One of the largest collective breed groups of gundogs are known as the HPR’s (Hunt, Point, Retrieve) and they include amongst others the Weimaraner, German Short, Long and Wire haired Pointers and of course the Italian Spinone.As may have already been gathered the breed types all originate from the continent; however in most cases there are now some working English breed lines. The essence of a working HPR is that the dog should be able to hunt in a quartering pattern using the wind; this should be further than a spaniel but not as far out as an English Pointer or Setter. Once it has scented its quarry it should lock on point and on command flush the bird for the Gun. It should then retrieve the shot quarry to hand. Many deerstalkers use HPR’s to follow up wounded deer; they really are a versatile shooting companion. 

Continue reading “Article – Sporting Shooter June 2005” →

ISCGB Special Beginner’s Test 2007

I had thought I would begin this ‘report’ with the words ‘Despite the worst the English weather could throw at us (quite literally) …’ however, we were blessed with a cool breeze and a clear blue sky with the odd cloud and a few spots of rain!

My nervousness about the day, my first ever participation in a Test, was quickly dispelled by the friendliness of our trainers/judges for the day, John Parnham and Chris Raynor. The Special Beginners’ Group comprised eleven owners and their dogs; the majority being Spinoni, but we were joined by a Hungarian Vizsla, a German Short Haired Pointer and a Large Munsterlander.

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ISCGB WORKING TEST FOR ALL HPR’S – 28/06/2003
 BROOMFIELD FARM, ELSTEAD, SURREY
 By Kind Permission of The Hampton Estate 
 and Mr D Beavan, Gamekeeper

Continue reading “Results – ISCGB WT Awards 2003” →

ISCGB WORKING TEST FOR ALL HPR’S – 26/06/2004
BROOMFIELD FARM, ELSTEAD, SURREY
By Kind Permission of The Hampton Estate 
and Mr D Beavan, Gamekeeper

ISCGB WORKING TEST FOR ALL HPR’S – 25/06/2005
BROOMFIELD FARM, ELSTEAD, SURREY
By Kind Permission of The Hampton Estate 
and Mr D Beavan, Gamekeeper

Continue reading “Results – ISCGB WT Awards 2005” →

ISCGB WORKING TEST FOR ALL HPR’S – 18/06/2006
BROOMFIELD FARM, ELSTEAD, SURREY
By Kind Permission of The Hampton Estate 
and Mr D Beavan, Gamekeeper

Continue reading “Results – ISCGB WT Awards 2006” →

SCGB WORKING TEST FOR ALL HPR’S – 23/06/2007

By Kind Permission of The Hampton Estate 
and Mr D Beavan, Gamekeeper

Continue reading “Results – ISCGB WT Awards 2007” →

ISCGB WORKING TEST FOR ALL HPR’S – 21/06/2008

Continue reading “Results – ISCGB WT Awards 2008” →