How much of a handicap is it for a gundog to lose its sight in one eye? Moss, an English springer spaniel, lost an eye when he was three but it hasn’t stopped him enjoying a long and successful career. According to his owner and handler, Lyn Doubleday, he wasn’t the easiest dog to train but went on to become “a tidy beating dog, tackling any cover that faced him, an efficient pickerup on shoots, both large and small, and a great dog to shoot over”. On one occasion, he even ran in a trial to make up numbers – he was only there to pick up – and ended up in the awards.
Now aged 11, he’s slowing down and doing fewer outings (much to his disgust), but he hasn’t lost his enthusiasm and has a new role: assistant trainer to the younger dogs. According to Doubleday: “he sits patiently while they train around him, retrieves when told while they sit, and hunts alongside them to show them the way. He is still invaluable and a joy to be with in whatever role he undertakes.” With a CV like this, it’s not surprising that Moss was the first choice of all the judges for the prize of Best Veteran in this year’s Field Gundog Awards, held in association with Chudleys.
Denne historien er fra December 2021-utgaven av The Field.
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Denne historien er fra December 2021-utgaven av The Field.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Going over old ground
Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony
Return of the natives
There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.
Tagging the Cornish tunny
Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea
In it for the long haul
It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders
Unpicking the story of hunt buttons
These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex
A place of tradition in the heart of town
Cordings has helped shape the sartorial landscape of Britain for 185 years, with its classic country tailoring a firm staple of many sporting wardrobes
Don't play it by ear
Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit
Back to base-ics
Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer
Stand and deliver
A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays
Heaven is a High Four
A team of guns enjoy a day of the finest sport Devon has to offer, courtesy of the GWCT and a quartet of generous shoot owners
