Trust the deer dog

When a shot fails to down a roe, the tracking dog is on on her trail,

- Jon Snowdon

The opening of the roebuck season starts on 1 April. The deer management group occasionally go out together to catch up on the last few does for the cull and if a member feels they need a bit of guidance and companionship. I have returned home from one such successful outing.

While mulling over this with a dram in hand, I started to think back to my past deer dogs. Some of you may remember Patch from my early days writing for Sporting Gun. He was a spaniel – not the best deer dog, you may think, but he was a star from day one. Many people remarked that he was well trained but, apart from the usual sit, lie down and return training, it was all down to Patch’s innate talent. In particular, he produced some tremendous tracking in thick cover.

After Patch retired, along came Alfie, whom readers may remember because he was the topic of every piece I have written since about 2007, when I was lucky enough to bring him to Greenlee, until his death in 2019.

His escapades, which cover everything from five-star behaviour all the way down to no stars at all, are all there in past Sporting Gun issues. I have had the pleasure of a number of dogs but Patch and Alfie were very special. Both were great companions, absolutely loyal and loving to the end, truly a part of the family. Having said that, it didn't stop them taking the mickey out of me when they could, both their amusement and mine. Well, most of the time.

I now have Lotte, who is a different dog, good at what she does and a pleasure to be with. While Patch and Alfie were determined in their job, they would always stick with me. Lotte, however, does have a mindset that goes beyond persistence. Once she has decided on something she will not give up.