If you get a chance to go along to a dog show or exhibition, it will be time well spent looking at the various breeds of dog, and you might be able to see which type of breed or dog will suit your needs. Whether you want one as a pet, or as a working gun dog, the different varieties are all most likely to be there and you will see dogs of all shapes and sizes. And should you attend some gun dog trials and want advice about a particular breed, then look around and you may see a gamekeeper or breeder who, I am sure, would be very willing to help and advise you all they can. Gamekeepers in general have plenty of experience with working gun dogs, and they would help you to select an animal that will at least have the appearance of a good working dog, and it probably will be a good dog. Some gamekeepers breed gun dogs, and are well known amongst the shooting fraternity for the type of working dogs they bred. Once you have in mind the type and breed you want, it is worthwhile looking around and getting advice about that strain of dog.

It is unwise to think that all Labradors, spaniels, setters and pointers etc., are good working gun dogs. This is far from the truth, as many examples of these breeds will be useless when it comes to working in the field, even if the dogs have pedigrees as long as your arm.

When you have decided on the breed and type of dog you require, the day will come when you go to select a puppy from a breeder. Whether you intend training the dog yourself, or having the dog trained for you to work in the field, there are a few points to look for in a puppy which may help you make the right choice.

Remember you are looking for an animal that will be working with you over the next 10 to 15 years, so take your time, and don’t let anyone distract you by saying that they like this or that puppy, because there may be a

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