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GUNDOGS & BEYOND

Nick Lambert

Gundogs & Beyond, hosted by Nick Lambert, is built around informed, thoughtful conversations with experts from across the gundog world and beyond.

From top dog men and falconers to habitat specialists and technical experts, the podcast explores the knowledge, experience, and thinking behind success in the field.

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  • 7 episodes
  • Updated Saturday

Episodes7

Newest first
  • Saturday · 2 hr 13 min

    Episode 7 - Colin Butcher, Pet Detective, expert in recovering lost and stolen animals.

    The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to dog theft and loss. The conversation delves into the sophisticated operations of dog theft, the role of rural communities, criminal gangs, occupationalists. The conversation covers essential topics related to securing, preventing theft, and recovering lost dogs. It emphasizes the importance of security measures, vulnerabilities, and home security for dogs. Additionally, it covers essential strategies for dog search and rescue, communication risks, engaging the local community, using technology for tracking, preventing opportunistic theft, reward and recovery strategies, and navigating local authority systems. Takeaways Dog theft and smuggling have significant impacts on the welfare of dogs and their owners. Adoption scams and the exploitation of vulnerable dogs are prevalent issues that need to be addressed. Dog theft is a complex and organized criminal activity, involving various categories of thieves and sophisticated operations. The naivety of dog buyers and the lack of effective legislation contribute to the prevalence of dog theft. Importance of securing dogs during travel and overnight stays Understanding vulnerabilities and implementing security measures Strategies for recovering lost dogs and preventing theft Effective dog search and rescue strategies involve understanding the dog's behavior and using the environment to aid in tracking. Social media can pose risks in the search for a missing dog, and communication should be carefully managed to avoid unwanted attention. Engaging the local community and utilizing technology can significantly aid in the search and recovery of a missing dog. Preventing opportunistic theft and understanding the legal implications of dog ownership are crucial in the recovery process. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:12 Early Life and Connection with Dogs 06:10 Work in the Royal Navy and Police Service 09:30 Challenges in Police Dog Training 19:31 Impact of Dog Theft and Smuggling 28:13 Rescue Dogs and Adoption Scams 35:03 Trends in Dog Theft and Exploitation 37:01 The Sophisticated Dog Theft Operations 37:49 The Role of Rural Communities in Dog Theft 38:02 Criminal Gangs and Puppy Buyers 39:02 Occupationalists and High-Value Dogs 41:18 The Naivety of Dog Buyers 43:26 The Opportunist Dog Thieves 01:00:18 The Crazies and Acts of Spite 01:11:12 The Ineffectiveness of Legislation and Law Enforcement 01:15:48 Preventing Dog Theft 01:18:13 Securing Your Dog 01:19:02 Preventing Dog Theft 01:20:10 Security Measures for Dogs 01:21:26 Vulnerabilities and Security 01:22:15 Home Security for Dogs 01:26:00 Tracking and Recovery 01:33:19 Recovering a Lost Dog 01:36:04 Lost Dog Recovery Strategies 01:44:11 Dog Recovery and Prevention 01:53:16 Dog Recovery Challenges 01:56:37 Dog Search and Rescue Strategies 01:58:20 Communication and Social Media Risks 01:59:14 Engaging Local Community in the Search 02:00:07 Using Technology for Tracking 02:03:00 Preventing Opportunistic Theft 02:20:45 Reward and Recovery Strategies 02:37:11 Navigating Local Authority Systems

  • June 1 · 1 hr 10 min

    Episode 6 - John Cavana, Upland Specialist

    The conversation covers John's fascination for upland habitats, the training and behaviour of dogs, and wildlife conservation and management. It delves into his personal journey, his experiences with the North York Moors, and the impact of weather and conditions on wildlife behaviour and migration. The conversation explores the impact of scenting conditions on dog behaviour and the importance of understanding the landscape and environmental conditions for maximising the dog's performance. It also explains the learning curve of dogs, the impact of experience on performance, and the potential of dogs as detection machines. Takeaways Upland habitat fascination Training and behaviour of dogs Wildlife conservation and management Scenting conditions impact dog behaviour Understanding the landscape and environmental conditions is crucial for maximising the dog's performance Chapters 00:00 Fascination for Upland Habitats 20:51 Wildlife Conservation and Management 40:00 The Impact of Scenting Conditions 01:03:00 Learning from the Dog

  • May 1 · 2 hr 6 min

    Episode 5 - Craig Koshyk, Hunter, Author and Podcaster.

    Craig Koshyk is author of Pointing Dogs Volume 1 – The Continentals and Volume 2 – The British and Irish Breeds. He also hosts the excellent Hunting Dog Confidential podcast and writes for Project Upland Magazine. The discussion covers the author's fascination with writing and researching, the discovery of rare and extinct dog breeds, hunting experiences in different countries, and the vastness and diversity of upland bird hunting in North America. The conversation delves into the hunting culture, contrasting the traditional hunting ethos in Manitoba with the more sport-oriented approach in the US. It also explores the hunting culture in Quebec, the impact of market hunting on conservation efforts, and the distinct hunting traits of different breeds. The journey to a new breed of hunting dog is also discussed, highlighting the personal connection to the breed's origin. The conversation delves into the influence of breeding on hunting behavior, the unique characteristics of French dog breeds and culture, the decline of English setters and pointers, the potential development of an English HPR, and the discussion of genetics and breeding practices. The conversation delves into the art of breeding dogs, the impact of selective breeding, the role of true breeders, challenges in dog breeding, testing and proving working abilities, the evolution of dog traits, the impact of breeding practices, the importance of testing and proving, the reality of breeding and hunting, the impact of breeding on working dogs, the significance of honesty in breeding, the experience of English trials, and future plans and trips. Takeaways The joy of writing and researching Discovery of rare dog breeds Cultural exchange through hunting experiences The vastness and diversity of upland bird hunting in North America Hunting culture varies between regions, with some emphasizing tradition and sustenance while others focus on sport and economic activity. The impact of market hunting on wildlife conservation efforts and the subsequent regulations and laws put in place to protect endangered species. The distinct hunting traits and tendencies of different breeds, and the considerations involved in choosing a new breed for hunting. Breeding significantly impacts hunting behavior French dog breeds and culture are unique and influential The decline of English setters and pointers is a notable historical trend The development of an English HPR is a potential area of interest Genetics and breeding practices play a crucial role in dog breeding and development Selective breeding shapes dog traits Testing and proving working abilities is crucial for breeding Honesty in breeding is essential for the well-being of dogs Chapters 00:00 The Joy of Writing and Researching 39:22 Hunting Experiences and Cultural Exchange 53:37 The Vastness of Upland Bird Hunting 59:31 Upland Game Hunting: Manitoba vs. the US 01:06:03 Breed-Specific Hunting Traits 01:23:06 German vs. French Breeds in North America 01:31:15 The Journey to a New Breed 01:36:22 French Dog Breeds and Culture 01:41:55 Developing an English HPR 02:03:38 Genetics and Breeding Practices 02:09:06 Challenges in Dog Breeding 02:14:18 The Evolution of Dog Traits 02:20:24 The Reality of Breeding and Hunting 02:37:39 The Experience of English Trials

  • March 31 · 1 hr 16 min

    Episode 4 - Andy Hughes, Professional Falconer.

    The conversation delves into the Andy's journey into falconry, starting with his early encounters with birds of prey and the progression to becoming the falconer at Dunrobin Castle. The conversation delves into the art of falconry and grouse hawking, highlighting the expertise and fieldcraft required for success in these pursuits. It also explores the impact of environmental changes on falconry and the role of dogs in falconry and grouse hawking. The conversation covers the adaptation to prey behaviour, the impact of environmental factors bird populations, challenges and conservation efforts, the process of breeding grouse, influential mentors, and the encouragement of new falconers through observation and learning. Takeaways Falconry as a Passion Training and Managing Harris Hawks Fieldcraft and expertise in falconry The impact of environmental changes on falconry Falconry requires careful observation and adaptation to the behaviour of prey birds. The impact of environmental factors, such as bird flu and wind turbines, on falconry and bird populations. Chapters 00:00 The Origins of Falconry Passion 05:23 First Encounters with Birds of Prey 10:59 Training Sparrowhawks and Unconventional Methods 18:39 Transition to Harris Hawks and Their Management 31:03 The Role of Harris Hawks in Falconry 45:17 The Art of Falconry and Grouse Hawking 01:08:50 The Role of Dogs in Falconry and Grouse Hawking 01:26:21 Adapting to Prey Behaviour 01:33:28 Challenges and Conservation 01:43:48 Breeding Grouse 01:52:49 Influential Mentors 01:58:53 Encouraging New Falconers

  • March 1 · 1 hr 54 min

    Episode 3 - Peter O'Driscoll, Champion Pointer, Handler, Trainer and Breeder.

    The conversation delves into Peter's early experiences with dogs, particularly the remarkable Turpin, and the transition to bird dogs. It also explores pointer training and trials, as well as a discussion on training techniques and tools. The conversation delves into the training of dogs for endurance, the impact of discipline on hunting behaviour, and extreme scenting behaviour exhibited by dogs in different scenarios. It provides insights into dog training techniques and the understanding of scenting behaviour in hunting dogs. The conversation explores the judging of dogs, exploring various scenarios . It also discusses the influence of scent and environmental factors on dog behaviour, as well as the unique characteristics of British breeds and their training methods. Takeaways Insights into dog behaviour Training and working with gun dogs Understanding Scent Understanding Dog Behaviour Chapters 00:00 The Early Years with Dogs 12:13 Transition to Bird Dogs and Training Methods 22:39 Pointer Training and Trials 35:34 Discussion on Training Techniques and Tools 49:20 Training Dogs for Endurance 01:00:35 Discipline and Hunting Behaviour 01:12:00 Extreme Scenting Behaviour 01:30:51 Training and Judging Dogs 01:36:16 Scent and Environmental Factors 01:41:39 British Breeds and Training

  • February 15 · 1 hr 1 min

    Episode 2 - Nigel Musto, technical clothing expert.

    Brought to you by The Red Dog Company, host Nick Lambert and outdoor clothing expert Nigel Musto, explore the importance of choosing the right clothing to stay comfortable in various weather conditions. They delve into the use of different materials, layering techniques, and the performance of specific fabric technologies. The conversation also touches on the history and expertise of Musto in technical clothing and the development of outdoor gear for specific activities. The conversation covers a range of topics related to outdoor clothing and gear, including the importance of comfort, warmth, and waterproofing. It also delves into the use of specific materials like Merino wool and Polartec fleece, as well as the challenges of maintaining and renewing outdoor clothing. Takeaways Layering is essential for staying comfortable in outdoor conditions. The choice of fabric and material plays a crucial role in determining the performance of outdoor clothing. Layering is key for outdoor comfort Understanding the materials and their properties is crucial for selecting the right gear Chapters 00:00 Exploring Gore-Tex and Other Fabric Brands 36:25 Importance of Comfort and Waterproofing 43:14 Static vs. Active Hunting Gear 55:09 Challenges of Maintaining Outdoor Clothing

  • February 15 · 1 hr 23 min

    Episode 1 - Rory Major, HPR Handler, Trainer and Breeder

    Brought to you by The Red Dog Company, host Nick Lambert, and expert guest Rory Major delve into the world of breeding and training HPRs; emphasising the importance of temperament and hunting ability. They explore training techniques, the use of e-collars, walking and training dogs, and the differences in training for field trials and shooting dogs. The conversation delves into the world of field trials and dog training, discussing the challenges faced in handling and training dogs for various tasks. It emphasises the importance of early training and yard work in shaping a dog's behavior and skills. The conversation covers a range of topics including training techniques, German vs. other European breeds, and the passion for breeding and lineage in HPR dogs. It explores the impact of breeding and lineage on the performance and characteristics of HPR breeds, as well as the unique hunting styles and behaviors of different breeds. Takeaways Breeding and training gun dogs The importance of temperament and hunting ability in gun dogs field trials and dog training Handling and training challenges Importance of early training and yard work Breeding and lineage impact the performance and characteristics of HPR breeds. Different breeds have unique hunting styles and behaviors. The German breeding system for HPR dogs is highly organized and documented. Chapters 00:00 Training for Field Trials and Shooting Dogs 33:18 Field Trials and Dog Training 41:05 Training Approaches and Techniques 01:00:31 Training Techniques and Methods 01:06:45 German vs. Other European Breeds 01:19:08 Passion for Breeding and Lineage