British Heritage Dog Breeds

Here are some photos taken at this year's CLA gamefair at Belvoir Castle, of The Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club's gun dog demonstration.
The Working Clumber Spaniel Society were also there doing a lovely display of genuine working Clumber Spaniels, but unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me at the time.
For those people who question the commitment of Heritage Breeds' Breed Clubs they should take a look at these two clubs. The CLA is a 3 day event and to cover this, which included a demonstration, two gundog parades and 9 to 5 in the gundog pavillion (a gundog discover dogs), there were for example, almost 30 working IWS in attendance, from 5 months old puppies to 9 year old, old timers. The other heritage gundog breeds were also very noticeable in the gundog pavillion.

What lovely photos' the dogs really look to be enjoying themselves. Will be checking out game fairs in our area to go and have a look.

"For those people who question the commitment of Heritage Breeds' Breed Clubs they should take a look at these two clubs. The CLA is a 3 day event and to cover this, which included a demonstration, two gundog parades and 9 to 5 in the gundog pavillion (a gundog discover dogs), there were for example, almost 30 working IWS in attendance, from 5 months old puppies to 9 year old, old timers."

Yes it is a lot of commitment from quite a few people, dogs and time! It is great fun to do - but exhausting for both dogs and owners. The Clumbers had about 12 dogs - with guest appearances from others that turned up on odd days. You need at least that to keep the dogs happy - too few and they get jaded. We work it out in shifts so the dogs are only "on duty" for 3 hours at the most - generally shorter times than that.

The Clumber photos can be found here for the 2009 demonstration - www.mrjbphotography.co.uk/cla-bc09-132.html

We totally understand! Anyone who has ever manned a booth with crowds of visitors will do too... The dogs start off loving the attention but there is one 'stroke' too much even for the most outgoing dog. But you are doing working displays too. To be organised with that many dogs is admirable.

A non-technical comment - looking at the Clumber photos you linked to eg:

www.mrjbphotography.co.uk/cla-bc09-134.html

They look so fit and strong yet like wonderful 'gentlemen & ladies' - wise. ...and the Irish Water Spaniels - what a delight - everything just looks like fun!

Both breeds surely must be "...worth it"

Thank you for posting!

Hils