MAX FINDLAY isn't famous, but 25 million people remember Fenton, his labrador, who decided to chase the red deer in Richmond Park. The moment was captured on video and went viral, as poor Mr Findlay pursued the errant hound, repeatedly bellowing 'Fenton!".
It was a reminder that dogs' names can be very public, especially when carried by miscreants. On our little rough shoot, for example, no one recalls easily the host of well-behaved spaniels that have worked the coverts, but we all remember Piper, an enthusiastic' labrador owned by a major figure in the Arts world. His 'Piper, come HERE, you blankety-blank!', delivered in Shakespearian timbre, is now our standard catchphrase whenever we see a dog off-piste.
It's worth remembering this when picking a puppy from a squirming litter: whatever you decide to call it may come back to haunt you. But, despite their behaviour, Fenton and Piper bore perfect names for working dogs, in that a disyllabic word, with the emphasis on the second syllable, can carry over long distances when shouted, as Mr Findlay amply demonstrated.
It's a principle that's applied to most gundog and hound names, as Mark Hankinson, former director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, explains: 'What they appear to hear is a form of Morse code-the long and short sounds that make up a word or a name. So a hound name needs to be at least two syllables long.'
Denne historien er fra February 08, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra February 08, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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A leap in the dark
The primal play of light and shadow, whether in Leonardo's ever-so-subtle sfumato or Caravaggio's dramatic contrasts, has shaped Western art, as Michael Hall reveals
Beauty and the blimp
Inflammable airships may be gone, but a new hybrid aircraft, capable of delivering eco-friendly aviation, is set to take to the skies with a bang, finds Charles Harris
Three wishes for food and farming
Royal hedge planting, the terrible toll on Ukrainian farming and a maiden speech
Seeing the wood for the trees
Scotland's much-evolved forestry industry has become a focus for clever investors
Let's fall in love
Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. Laura Parker finds that, when it comes to creatures mating for life, persistence, patience and a little dad dancing are key to success
Back from the dead
THREE Wentworth elm saplings have been planted in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, and on the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire-29 years after what was thought to be the lastknown Wentworth elm died.
A man among men
What makes a master? Beloved of the commercial art world, handled warily by art historians, the word has long been opaque. Michael Prodger investigates its many meanings-and discovers that being male confers an unfair advantage
Unearth one of life's luxuries
Black diamonds are a girl's best friend this Valentine's Day, with Périgord truffle-based skincare from TRUFFE
Adventure awaits
Spend an unforgettable family holiday on the Benmore Estate and experience some of Scotland's finest wildlife and sporting activities
Let the art rule the head
Despite being a world leader in everything from jewellery to fashion and music, the UK is failing to nurture creativity at school and in regional centres. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A Museum, calls for an urgent review
