A break with tradition

We are creatures of habit, says David Tomlinson, often sticking with the same breed of canine companion throughout our lives. Would you dare to be different?

- David Tomlinson

WHEN it comes to dogs, especially working gundogs, most of us are inordinately conservative. The majority of us remain faithful to the same breed throughout our lives: if you were brought up with labradors or spaniels, then they are the breeds that you will acquire. There are, of course, many people who have changed allegiance but they are the exceptions that prove the rule. I’ve been a spaniel person for all my life. I had a cocker spaniel as a child and have subsequently had English springers for nearly 40 years, but when my last spaniel died I gave serious thought to getting something different.

As a professional gundog correspondent, I’ve had lots of experience of different working breeds. I’ve spent time in the shooting field with almost every gundog breed you can think of, from cockers to Clumbers, setters to spinones. I’ve met examples of every breed that I have liked, while I’ve come across surprisingly few that I didn’t.