At Crufts today, the Gundog Group is on show.  Gundogs evolved with the invention of guns and gunpowder. Previously, hounds had been used for hunting, but with the use of guns, different breeds were required for scenting and flushing out game, to indicate game by freezing on the spot, as well as retrieving from land and water. Some breeds specialise in one of these skills, others can perform all three. The Kennel Club encourages gundogs being shown to retain their working instincts, in view of this, dogs which with the necessary Challenge Certificates to qualify for the title of ‘Champion’ are given the title ‘Show Champion’ until such time as they win an award of merit at a Gundog Trial, upon which they become a full Champion.

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the UK, with over 500 entered for exhibition today. Whilst it is regarded as a British breed, the Labrador Retriever was originally developed as a water retrieving dog by fishermen off the coast of Greenland.  The Field Spaniel is listed by the Kennel Club as a ‘Vulnerable Native Breed’ in that its registration figures are lower than 300 per year. In 2006, only 64 Field Spaniels were registered. There will be 58 at the show today. The German Longhaired Pointer is a breed which was reintroduced to the UK in the mid 1990s. It is larger in size than the Shorthaired and Wirehaired varieties. For a relatively new UK gundog, it has had great success in field trials.

Also today, there will be demonstrations of Agility, Working Trials, Obedience, Bloodhounds and Heelwork to Music in the Dog Activities Ring, and in the main Arena the Flyball and Agility Championships continue together with displays by the Pets as Therapy and the Southern Golden Retriever team.

If you have any questions about breeds and their groups, please get in touch.

Author:

Caroline Hallett

Publisher:

The Kennel Club

Date:

07-Mar-08

Last updated on:

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