IT’S A CURIOUS fact that, while the labrador was developed and established as a breed in Britain, it is not generally regarded as a British breed. Perhaps it’s the name that causes the confusion, for it suggests that the founders of the breed came from Labrador, whereas most historians point to Newfoundland as the country of origin. It is known that the first dogs imported to Britain were brought here by Portuguese fishermen, and the Portuguese word for worker is trabalhador, which might well have been corrupted into ‘labrador’.
Today the labrador is the most popular breed of gundog on the planet, appearing in most countries’ top 10 breeds and usually heading the list in several, including the UK and the USA. Frustratingly, we can’t claim this as a British success, though it clearly is. However, even if we exclude the labrador, Britain can be proud of having established the majority of the world’s leading gundog breeds. Of course, most gundogs never go shooting but it is a testament to the quality of their breeding that they make such fine companions, which is why they are so popular.
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Rory Stewart - The former Cabinet minister and hit podcast host talks to Alec Marsh about the parlous state of British politics, land management and his deep love of the countryside
The gently spoken 51-year-old former Conservative Cabinet minister is a countryman at heart. That's clear: he even changes into a tweed waistcoat for the interview, which takes place at his London home and begins with a question about his precise career status. Having resigned from the Commons and the Conservative Party in 2019, the former diplomat and soldier has reinvented himself, first with an unconventional but promising run as an independent for the London mayoralty (abandoned because of COVID19 in 2020) and then as a media figure, co-hosting one of the country's most popular podcasts, The Rest Is Politics, alongside Alastair Campbell, the former Labour spin doctor.
Fodder
Local fare with the feel-good factor.
Celebrating the game changers
Once served only in the traditional manner, the fruits of our forays now find their way into all manner of diverse and delicious dishes, say Neil and Serena Cross
The first civil engineer
John Smeaton left an indelible mark on the field of engineering and, three centuries after his birth, his legacy remains as strong as ever
School spirits
From grey ladies and ghostly gardeners to more malign entities, public schools are a rich repository of unnatural phenomena
'A long way from Piccadilly or Pall Mall'
Marking 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill, Dr Conor Farrington explores this eminent statesman’s often-overlooked 1907 tour of British East Africa: a journey rich with enchanting natural beauty and sporting adventure
Top of the pups
Canines in all their guises were celebrated at The Field Top Dog Awards lunch at Defender Burghley Horse Trials whether eager on the peg, patient at home or perpetually making mischief
Angling for success
It’s never too early to shape up for next season’s salmon and trout, and these top fishing schools are here to help
Talking scents
The canine nose is an astonishingly complex piece of biotechnology that man has harnessed for sustenance and sport for thousands of years
Wall-to-wall excitement
Criss-crossed by formidable drystone walls, the High Peak Harriers’ scenic country provides a day out with an exhilarating difference
