Good Luck to the 21 students in Leicestershire & Northamptonshire taking assessments this weekend. Results will be published sunday evening.
Final deadline to book field trial training day on 1st February is the 29th January 2010.
Working test Schedules for the United retriever Club, Midlands, Lincolnshire & North Midlands available on web site http://workinggundogs.co.uk/URC.aspx
Welcome to this Months new Clients
John Shaw & Labrador Retriever Luna
James Cooil & GSP Nelson
Marek Lechki & Labrador Retriever
Sarah Gullan-Whur & Labrador Retriever Minar
Alan Miller & Cocker Spaniel
Sean Baker & English Springer Spaniel Feather
Keith Rolph & Cocker Spaniel
Jenney parker & Nova Scotia Duck Toller Retriever Florence
Juliet Martin & Labrador Retiever Reggie
Friday 29 January 2010
Gundog Joke
Some comic and philosophical insights into our relationships with our canine hunting partners
By Jerry Thoms
By Jerry Thoms
Any Game Shooter or Wildfowler owning a gundog almost certainly has had a gun dog that has made them laugh.
A good gun dog joke, in fact, can help us better understand and enjoy what our gun dogs do with us and for us (and sometimes to us), whether on a shoot or around the house.
The following is a collection of gun dog humor, some of which may be a little gross (but still funny) and some that might be a little more profound (but still entertaining). As with many kinds of comedy, most people, we're hoping, will see their gun dogs and themselves from a broad perspective that allows for a sense of irony and the ridiculous.
How Many Dogs Does It Take To Change a Lightbulb?(Answers From Various Gun Dog Breeds)
1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?
2. German Shorthaired Pointer: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
3. French Brittany: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!
4. Chesapeake: Make me.
5. English Setter: I'll take care of it right after tea.
6. Labrador: Oh, me, me! Pleeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?
7. American Brittany: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.
8. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb.
9. Pointer: It's somewhere past the horizon, right?
10. Any gun dog puppy: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark. Maybe no one will notice…
Thursday 28 January 2010
Hunting Act "a notorious example of bad goverment"
1. Hunting Act "a notorious example of bad Government"
This week, the Better Government Initiative's report Good Government: Reforming Parliament and the Executive, was published.
The report, which has been written by, and signed up to by, some of the most senior former civil servants in the country, brands the Hunting Act a "notorious example of bad Government" along with other disastrous examples from the last 20 years including the Poll Tax, the Child Support Agency and the Millennium Dome.
The Better Government Initiative includes the former Cabinet secretary Lord Butler and Sir John Chilcott who is chairing the Iraq war inquiry, so is a heavy hitter.
It is there to comment on the state of government in Britain and "make specific proposals for reform in Parliament, to. improve the quality and effectiveness of government."
In explaining "what has gone wrong" and the "present unsatisfactory position", the report states that: "Over the last 20 years, the public and media have come to regard several events as notorious examples of bad government: the Community Charge (now remembered as the Poll Tax) in 1990, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the failure of the Child Support Agency, the Hunting Act 2004, the story of the Millennium Dome."
The report states: "The media's increasing appetite for policy initiatives has been a prime source of the high volume of often ill-thought out legislation... A consequence has been that a higher proportion of Bills now enter Parliament incomplete, poorly explained, and requiring substantial amendment.
That situation not only wastes scarce parliamentary time but also increases the likelihood that the resulting statute will need amending because it has proved unsatisfactory, or in some instances unworkable." Couldn't have put it better ourselves.
This report gives powerful independent backing to the case for repeal of the Hunting Act; a bad law passed for bad reasons that has failed spectacularly.
The endless warnings from inside and outside the Government that a refusal to legislate on the basis evidence and principle would lead to chaos were ignored. We now live with the consequence: an unworkable piece of legislation that has wasted thousands of hours of police time and millions of pounds of taxpayers money.
The other examples of bad Government listed in the report have all been reversed. The Poll Tax was scrapped, the Child Support Agency replaced and the Millennium Dome sold off.
Whoever is in Government after the election must also address the Hunting Act and give Parliament an opportunity to reverse it as well.
Simon Hart Chief Executive Countryside Alliance
WorkingGundogs, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northanptonshire, Cambridge
This week, the Better Government Initiative's report Good Government: Reforming Parliament and the Executive, was published.
The report, which has been written by, and signed up to by, some of the most senior former civil servants in the country, brands the Hunting Act a "notorious example of bad Government" along with other disastrous examples from the last 20 years including the Poll Tax, the Child Support Agency and the Millennium Dome.
The Better Government Initiative includes the former Cabinet secretary Lord Butler and Sir John Chilcott who is chairing the Iraq war inquiry, so is a heavy hitter.
It is there to comment on the state of government in Britain and "make specific proposals for reform in Parliament, to. improve the quality and effectiveness of government."
In explaining "what has gone wrong" and the "present unsatisfactory position", the report states that: "Over the last 20 years, the public and media have come to regard several events as notorious examples of bad government: the Community Charge (now remembered as the Poll Tax) in 1990, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the failure of the Child Support Agency, the Hunting Act 2004, the story of the Millennium Dome."
The report states: "The media's increasing appetite for policy initiatives has been a prime source of the high volume of often ill-thought out legislation... A consequence has been that a higher proportion of Bills now enter Parliament incomplete, poorly explained, and requiring substantial amendment.
That situation not only wastes scarce parliamentary time but also increases the likelihood that the resulting statute will need amending because it has proved unsatisfactory, or in some instances unworkable." Couldn't have put it better ourselves.
This report gives powerful independent backing to the case for repeal of the Hunting Act; a bad law passed for bad reasons that has failed spectacularly.
The endless warnings from inside and outside the Government that a refusal to legislate on the basis evidence and principle would lead to chaos were ignored. We now live with the consequence: an unworkable piece of legislation that has wasted thousands of hours of police time and millions of pounds of taxpayers money.
The other examples of bad Government listed in the report have all been reversed. The Poll Tax was scrapped, the Child Support Agency replaced and the Millennium Dome sold off.
Whoever is in Government after the election must also address the Hunting Act and give Parliament an opportunity to reverse it as well.
Simon Hart Chief Executive Countryside Alliance
WorkingGundogs, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northanptonshire, Cambridge
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Gundog Nutrition, keep them Hunting
You may be familiar with the saying you are what you eat, but did you realise its just as relevant with your gundog as it is with you. You must provide your gundog with gundog nutrition.
Normal dog food may be ok for a pet dog who gets taken out a couple of times a day, but for a hunting gundog its essential. The strain placed on their body during hunting and field trails is immense, so for good performance, hunting dogs require a superior level of nutrients.
If you provide your companion with the maximum amount of gundog nutrition, he will provide you with maximum performance when hunting. Below I cover the main things you need to be aware of in improving your gun dogs nutrition.
Water
A very important ingredient in gundog nutrition is the water especially in performance and hunting dogs. More water is lost during general running than you may think. Water loss can come from urinating, breathing and salivating. The dehydration, combined with extensive exercise, can cause stress to the body of the highly trained and active gundog.
Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
If you have a problem with your dog not drinking enough you can add some flavoring such as Gatorade to make it taste better.
Food
You should have a good feeding program for your gun dog. If you know the characteristics it can make selecting or creating a balanced diet easier. Many reputable brands are dedicated to making well-balanced forms of dog nutrition suitable for the hunting dog.
A strong feeding program should provide:
• A high level of nutrients, providing high energy.
• contain at least one animal based protein sources
• be high in fat unless your dog is overweight
• contain a source of fibre
• It must contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid
• Depending on your time it may need to be easy to purchase or prepare
• Your dog needs to like the taste and texture.
I admit to using an off the shelf, I realise its not perfect but that’s what I have time for, I use Eukanuber for puppies and novice dogs. All dogs are different though, I suggest trying a few of the quality brands and see which suits your dog best. Always check the labels for dog nutritional supplements.
If you wish to make your own foods, some hunting dog owners use raw chicken carcasses.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important component in your dog nutrition. Rice can be an excellent source of carbohydrates due to the rapid rise in blood sugar and energy levels it will cause in the dog, enabling stronger performance. Corn is the other source of carbohydrate I recommend as it will provide a stable energy burn over a longer period of time than rice, giving your dog loads of energy. I should avoid wheat as it lowers blood sugar.
Fibre
Insufficient fibre levels can lead to your dog being constipated. It may also cause problems to the intestinal tract. But keep in mind the wrong fibre can provide too many nutrients to the gut, leading to bad gas. I find a good fibre source id beet pulp. The recommended amount of fibre is about 5% to keep the gut healthy, and provide enough bulk.
Protein
Like us our dogs need protein, the most important being amino acid. Amino acid will increase strength and stamina, help maintain and rebuild muscle tissue, Increase muscle and increase red blood cells.
All the above are vital in the performance of your gundogs. Also remember your dog is carnivores, and animal based protein is the most beneficial and easily digestible. Soybeans have been used traditionally as a protein source in dog food, but their amino acid balances are inferior to those of animal-source proteins. Always look at the ingredients of dog food on the shelf before you buy.
Calories and fat.
Calories and fat.
Calories are the primary nutrition that your gun dog requires for energy. Calories will promote stamina, and boost your gun dogs overall performance. Providing calories in a balanced way is the best way to feed your dog. Fat contains at least twice the calories of carbohydrates or protein and surprisingly high fat is the best way to provide your dog with his stamina for the hunt. High fat diets also make your dog burn oxygen which will result in better performance.
Fat can come from a lot of different sources and they are all different. Some are better for your dog than others. Fatty acids are best and will provide nourishment to the skin and boost and strengthen the immune system.
There are different types of fatty acids, the most common being the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 6 works to gives your dog an essential part of healing to response to injury. Good sources: sunflower oil, soybean and corn oil. Omega 3 works to counteract excessive inflammatory response of the body. Good sources. flaxseed oil, and cold water fish oils.
Both of these fatty acids are required in your dog’s diet for maximum performance. Look for a guaranteed ratio of omega 6 omega to omega 3 fatty acids in the dog food packs in your local store.
Monday 25 January 2010
Dismal, dissillusioned ode to Gundog Training !
The sun’s in the sky, it’s finally stopped raining, A grand opportunity to take the pup training.
She’s really quite special, she could be the best, I’m thinking about entering her in a test.
And I’m a great trainer, I’ve paitience and skill, I’ve read all the books, have ambitions to fill, The secret’s to have the foundations in place But I did that last week, so let’s move on a pace.
Last week she did well on a 20 yard blind Now is the time to start stretching her mind So I’ll set her one up, 4 fields away I’m sure she is up for the challenge today I expect only perfection, that’s what I demand, So ‘Sit’ little pup and wait for my command,
‘Oy’ you wee rascal, I never said ‘back’ Oh heck she’s now hurtling along the wrong track, Jeez- where is my whistle? I need her to stop Oh shite, did I leave it on the kitchen work-top? Thank god she’s slowed down,
let’s think what to do – Oh please, don’t tell me, she’s rolled in fox poo? I’ll forget the blind, and move onto directions Positive, positive, no need for corrections, ‘sweet little puppy- please could you go right? Oh bugger, she’s gone left and is now well out of sight.
Back in the car, my puppy is reeking, Atmosphere’s blue, we’re no longer speaking, The day is ruined, I’m dejected and narky Whoever invented this khaki-malarky?
She’s really quite special, she could be the best, I’m thinking about entering her in a test.
And I’m a great trainer, I’ve paitience and skill, I’ve read all the books, have ambitions to fill, The secret’s to have the foundations in place But I did that last week, so let’s move on a pace.
Last week she did well on a 20 yard blind Now is the time to start stretching her mind So I’ll set her one up, 4 fields away I’m sure she is up for the challenge today I expect only perfection, that’s what I demand, So ‘Sit’ little pup and wait for my command,
‘Oy’ you wee rascal, I never said ‘back’ Oh heck she’s now hurtling along the wrong track, Jeez- where is my whistle? I need her to stop Oh shite, did I leave it on the kitchen work-top? Thank god she’s slowed down,
let’s think what to do – Oh please, don’t tell me, she’s rolled in fox poo? I’ll forget the blind, and move onto directions Positive, positive, no need for corrections, ‘sweet little puppy- please could you go right? Oh bugger, she’s gone left and is now well out of sight.
Back in the car, my puppy is reeking, Atmosphere’s blue, we’re no longer speaking, The day is ruined, I’m dejected and narky Whoever invented this khaki-malarky?
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