What Makes The Best All-Rounder?

There is no one breed ideally suited to all shooting disciplines, so it is crucial to concentrate on temperament and ability, says Ellena Swift

- Ellena Swift

The all-rounder is a common concept in the shooting world and a hotly debated topic by anyone involved in gundogs. But what does it mean?

To me, it applies to the dog that is as much at home sitting on a peg as it is flushing game for its handler when rough shooting. One that will happily retrieve a pigeon back to a hide, a partridge out of thick cover and a Canada goose offwater.

It is also the dog that can genuinely and happily turn its paw to each task the handler requires. It is a tall ask, certainly, but is possible and there are many examples. I see a few most seasons.

Breed is the first thing we take into consideration. You cannot write offany gundog breed because there will always be one example that surprises you and performs in every area. However, if the all-round gundog is required, there are some breeds I would avoid.

Cocker spaniels are renowned as good shooting companions for flushing and hunting dense cover. Their size means they can get into almost anything with relative ease and most can learn to quarter with great effect. This makes them ideal for beating and rough shooting alike.