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Post by jay on Feb 3, 2008 9:17:18 GMT -1
We've been out shooting virtually every day this last week before the end of the season. Here's a couple of pictures taken last Tuesday of me and Bramble our chocolate lab. I like them because they really seem to show how much she enjoys being out working.   Now the hard work starts getting ready for Crufts. We've got 4 dogs in the working dog classes this year...Fizz and Purdey the black labradors, Helga the German Shorthaired Pointer and Herman the German Wirehaired Pointer. They do keep me busy! |
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Post by harveydales on Feb 3, 2008 9:33:18 GMT -1
Lovely to see these pics. Wonderful the way Bramble is concentrating on you 100% and obviously enjoying every minute. It brings tears to my eyes watching a dog working like this. Which is the working dogs day this year? I would love to go and watch. I've tried to persuade OH it would be a fantastic day out but he's not interested.  Anyway, good luck with your dogs! |
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Post by jay on Feb 3, 2008 10:27:57 GMT -1
Gundog day is the Friday this year. Our dogs are in the working gundog classes in the BASC Gamekeepers ring. They don't do anything 'work-wise' on the day, but have a go at being a show dog for the day. The classes are only open to dogs which are regularly worked on shoots throughout the season and they are much more relaxed and less formal than in the proper breed rings.
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Post by Debbie on Feb 4, 2008 1:06:12 GMT -1
Ahhhh, those are fantastic pics of a true working girl! I adore seeing Labs able to do the work in the field. Its awe inspiring how well they work with their handlers, and how keen they are. I gotta ask..... ear protection?? What do you use in the field? Best of luck with Crufts!!  |
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Post by jay on Feb 4, 2008 10:29:31 GMT -1
I've got to admit I'm a little slack when it comes to using my ear defenders when out rough shooting. Mainly because they do seem to get in the way when I need to mount my gun quickly. However when I'm stood on a peg on a driven shoot, or shooting clays, I'll always wear my ear defenders. I've got the electronic ones, which most of the time are very good, but are very whistly when its windy! I've actually got an appointment tomorrow afternoon to get the custom made in-ear protection sorted. I've been wanting to get them done for ages so am going to treat myself. Do you shoot too Debbie?
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Post by Debbie on Feb 4, 2008 13:37:35 GMT -1
Ages n ages ago. I was incredibly gunshy as a teen, preferring the bow n arrow. I reasoned I'd only get off one shot and then the wildlife in a five mile vicinity would know I was there, whether I hit my target or not. With bow and arrow, I could miss, but still have a bit of a chance of getting something else. Didn't help that I was the brunt of a joke of some of my male relatives when I was 16 either. My older cousin Pete had me shot a pistol, I think it was a .38. When I questioned whether or not it would be loud when I shot (no one had ear protection back then), he said, "You won't hear a thing."  I can't print what I thought of him for that one! He was right..... I couldn't hear anything afterwards. In fact the only thing I heard was the ringing in my ears for the rest of the day. I all but dropped the gun too...they had to catch it. When I went to stay with an Aunt and Uncle in Colorado, I decided I'd better start liking and learning as they had all sorts of antiques and went practically every night to the rifle range. Didn't take me long with the proper ear protection to get to like it. I used mostly the yellow foamie ear protection, but my uncle made me a gift of the grey shooter muffs. You're right, they do get in the way if you're rough shooting. I'd forgotten about the clop. I loved shooting the older rifles, the 'youngest' gun there was a fifty year old .22 revolver. It was my primary gun, but I also shot and easily fell in love with a 44-40 rifle. A friend of mine recreated the rifle for me in Oregon, but I have yet to fire it. Its difficult to find a rifle range and with our heavy population boom, I want to be absolutely sure I'm not accidentally shooting into someone's backfield with livestock. |
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Post by loopylou on Feb 4, 2008 13:40:33 GMT -1
Brill photos
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Post by jay on Feb 5, 2008 16:50:10 GMT -1
Wow Debbie, sounds as though you had a great time once you'd got over being gunshy! Rifle shooting is something I've not had chance to do yet, but would love to try. But as with anything at the moment its trying to find the time to fit it in!
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Feb 5, 2008 19:34:07 GMT -1
great photos, I too love to see a dog working.
Good Luck at Crufts, will have everything crossed for you.
My OH rough shoots, he is not allowed a dog as he is not always at home during the week due to work. He tried teaching Willis (our JR terrier pup) to retrieve a pheasant wing............very funny......I think his retreiving days are already over!!!!!! ;D
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Post by PonyGirl on Feb 6, 2008 3:27:44 GMT -1
Good Luck at Crufts, will have everything crossed for you.
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Post by Debbie on Feb 6, 2008 14:36:02 GMT -1
;D The only time I've ever shot a shotgun was at a 'turkey shoot' and one of my friends had to load it for me each time I shot. The rednecks laughed themselves silly over me, but I had the last laugh as each time I shot, I blew the target off the post. And I did win the first round  The only rifle I wasn't keen on shooting, and probably will never pick up again if I can help it was my Aunt's 30-30. Sucker kicks like a mule!!!  It was the only rifle to put a bruise to my shoulder, and that was with me snugging it tight.  I could hit the target okay, but didn't think the bruise was worth it. |
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Anyway, good luck with your dogs!
I can't print what I thought of him for that one! 
It was the only rifle to put a bruise to my shoulder, and that was with me snugging it tight. 
I could hit the target okay, but didn't think the bruise was worth it.