Friday 3 April 2009
HILARY Jones tells me the lovely picture of Laverstoke Adventurer at Redbornstoke was taken when he was being assessed for his working gundog certificate and he worked particularly well that day. Hilary continues: “I would willingly pay a king’s ransom for a video of his performance, but unfortunately there was no-one there with a camera.
“As well as competing at field trials, Jethro has also been helping with grouse counting which enables conservation workers to assess the population and location of these rare birds. Black grouse are actually on the red list of endangered species and there are several projects around the UK which have been set up to manage the heather moorland to encourage diversity and improve the habitat for all species. Did you know that 75 per cent of the all the heather moorland in the world is found in Britain – and that it is an endangered habitat here?
“We are fortunate to have some beautiful show dogs in our breed with lovely construction and possessing all the points that make up a true English Setter. All these aspects stem from the working origins of the breed. Remember that the ‘setting spaniels’, who were the origins of all setters, were working about 500 years ago and selective breeding was purely to produce a working dog until about 100 years ago when showing began.
“The Standard asks for a deep muzzle with wide nostrils (for scenting ability), a long muscular neck with head held naturally high (setters are air scenting dogs), well-set back shoulders (for stamina and an effortless gait over uneven terrain), muscular fore and hindquarters (for stamina again – a working setter can gallop over 60 miles on a shooting day according to an old book I have) and widely sprung ribs (to give space for the heart and lungs to work well). These features should still be apparent in the show dogs – if we lose sight of the breed’s origins it would be sad indeed.
“A working-bred dog is not for everyone as they have very specialised needs for exercise and training, but everyone should see working setters at least once – it is a truly impressive sight. Spectators may visit the field trials by prior arrangement with the relevant secretary. Contact me if you would like more details.
“The Midland ESS is holding another field training day for the breed on Sunday May 17 in Derbyshire by permission of Martin and Joan Slack. It is intended for novice handlers and show-bred dogs and our trainer again is Val Isherwood (Laverstoke). Numbers are limited so get in quick. The cost is £15 to include refreshments and a light lunch. For more details contact Dilys Watts at dilys.watts@btopenworld.com, Hilary Jones on 01525 751712 or at hcjones@ntlworld.com or visit www.midlandenglishsettersociety.co.uk.
“This has been a very enjoyable day for both handlers and dogs in the past. Dogs may work on a long line if obedience is not their strong point.”
ESS of Scotland recently held its open show. This lovely show is sadly not drawing sufficient entries nowadays. I guess if you don’t live in Scotland it is a long journey but, I promise you, if you take the trouble to go you would be made most welcome.
Chris Sayers (Christter) found her BOB in Avril Dodd’s 14-month-old orange belton bitch, Larrenie Rowanberry at Lyncarda. Bred by Christine Normansell, she is by Royal Colours ex L Miss You Nights and had the previous week won PB at Crufts.
JANE DENNIS, 01283 713581, janemariglen@yahoo.com