The Mighty Wurlitzer Established 1991
December 2012 Edition 21
North West Group
Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year
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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,
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
•
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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NorthWestGroupClayShootWinners1stRobIrvine2ndTomKirby3rdequalLewisHerbert,CharlieWilson,PaulSmart
DidYouKnow Didyouknow.........thatnearlyacenturyafterPavlov’sfamous‘conditionedreflex’research,anddecadesaftertheSovietsput‘Laika’inspace,dogscontinuetoserveasanintegralresourcetoscientistspursuingnewtechnologies?ArecentEUprojectaimedatimprovingrobotefficiencylookedatthree‐leggeddogs’reactionstotheirlimbloss,inhopesthatthestudy’sfindingscouldhelpresearchersdevelopamechanismthatwouldallow‘injured’robotstoretaintheirfunctionality.
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1stAugustQuizNight–FieldCraft,attheOldHall,Chinley
AspecialthankyoutoGeoffandEddiefororganisingandrunningtheevent.
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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]
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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.
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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
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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!
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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.
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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
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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’
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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}.
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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
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THEGERMANSHORTHAIREDPOINTERCLUBNORTHWESTGROUP
SHOWDOGOFTHEYEARCLAIMFORM
REGISTEREDNAMEOFDOG REGISTEREDOWNER(S)OFDOG GSPCMEMBERSHIPNUMBER
Date Show/Society Open/CHShow Award Points Total
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THEGERMANSHORTHAIREDPOINTERCLUBNORTHWESTGROUP
LIZASHTONMEMORIALTROPHYNameofHandler/Dog GSPClubMembershipNumber
Date NameofSociety WorkingTest FieldTrial PointingTest GroupProgressTest Points
Total
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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