From cover to cover
Sporting Gun|May 2023
After a month of medical drama with his beloved Ted, Nick Ridley discovers that protecting his dogs and his bank balance Gomés at a premium
Nick Ridley
From cover to cover

I have kept gundogs for more than 30 years and in that time my vet’s bills have been mercifully small. Other than routine visits for inoculations and the occasional small cut, I haven’t had to dig deep into my bank balance to pay any bills. Then four years ago along came Percy.

Right from the word go I knew that he was going to cost me. By the time he was just six months I had already spent more than £2,000 in vet’s bills. He had a passion for eating socks and it always seemed to be out of hours. The final straw was when one got stuck in his intestines and he had to have surgery. I was also beginning to see that he was going to be a hard-hunting dog and I was convinced that at some point he was going to injure himself, so it was time to get both him and Ted insured.

If any of you have looked at getting your gundogs insured, you will already know what a minefield it can be. The most important thing is to ensure that you read the small print as some insurance companies exclude ‘working dogs’. You may consider this not to be an issue as the majority of the time your gundog may be considered a ‘pet’ dog, especially during the close season. Consider the following, however.

Social media

Esta historia es de la edición May 2023 de Sporting Gun.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición May 2023 de Sporting Gun.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SPORTING GUNVer todo
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 2023