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The DogFather

Charlie Thorburn

Charlie Thorburn has been training dogs for 25 years and welcomes you to the DogFather, a show which talks to people from all countries and walks of life about how dogs have impacted their lives and businesses.

New episode every week.

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  • 27 episodes
  • Updated July 26

Episodes27

Newest first
  • Oct 4, 2025 · 29 min

    Skinners Dog Food: 7 Generations of Manufacturing (But Will They Sell The Company?)

    Charlie sits down with Ben Skinner, the seventh generation of the Skinner family to lead this well-known business. From making animal feed in 1688, to launching dog food in the 1970s, to building the modern brand we know today - Ben shares the incredible journey of a company that’s lasted over 300 years.They dive into generational differences, staying aligned across centuries, going against the grain, and what the future looks like for this family business. Plus - would Ben ever accept an offer to sell?

  • Sep 28, 2025 · 30 min

    Mr. Labrador vs. Mr Cocker Spaniel: Who Wins? - Nick Ridley

    Charlie is joined by renowned Cocker Spaniel trainer Nick Ridley for the latest episode of The DogFather podcast.Charlie has long been associated with Labradors, while Nick is celebrated for his expertise with Cockers—but when the two are compared head-to-head, who comes out on top? This lively episode brings together two seasoned veterans of the sport as they share their experiences, their passion for working dogs in the field, and a few unforgettable retrieving stories along the way.Watch Nick's Videos Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1IeEGEImftzvnvrVMHchw/videos

  • Sep 19, 2025 · 37 min

    Former Shooting Times Editor (& Mordor Employee) On The State Of The Countryside - Patrick Galbraith

    Charlie is joined by his former (short-term) employee, Patrick Galbraith, previously the editor of Shooting Times. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore a diverse array of subjects, from Patrick’s recently published book Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside, to the often-overlooked negative impact that dogs can have on rural ecosystems. The discussion also delves into deer stalking, choosing the right breed, and numerous other thought-provoking themes. 0:00 - Intro 1:09 - Patrick The Mordor Employee2:40 - Shooting Times6:30 - His New Book12:40- Dogs In The Countryside18:10- Labrador As Deer Dogs 22:48 - Training Mistakes 27:02 - Solutions To The Problem 34:03 - Gundog People 35:28 - The Future

  • Sep 14, 2025 · 57 min

    40 Years of Training & Trialling Spaniels - Jeremy Organ

    In the latest episode of the DogFather, Charlie is joined by Jeremy Organ of Edgegrove Gundogs. Their wide ranging conversations covers how the spaniel breeds have changed to be smaller and flashier, how people don't understand blood lines any more, wind scent vs. ground scent and so much more. Edgegrove Gundogs Website - https://edgegrovegundogs.co.uk/ Edgegrove Gundogs Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Edgegrove-Gundogs-100066878473043/ 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Jeremy’s Background 6:20 - Badgercourt Spaniels 9:25 - Getting Into Trials 17:20 - Start Of Edgegrove 22:20 - How To Breed Correctly 31:55 - How Have Trialling Dogs Changed 41:00 - When/ How Much To Feed Your Dog 46:22 - Air Scent vs. Ground Scent 53:35 - Teaching People Dog Training 56:35 - Outro

  • Sep 3, 2025 · 46 min

    Just How Similar Is A Modern Vet To James Heriott? Introducing Vet's Corner

    Charlie is joined by Neil Geddes, a veterinary ophthalmologist (eye specialist). They discuss Neil's background and how he became a vet, his early days, and how the industry has changed over the past decades. Neil will be a feature of the podcast and will field many questions from Charlie and the listeners on all things veterinary science. In this episodes, Neil answers a range of questions from his biggest vet blooper, whether he would trust a vet who didn't own a dog, and just how similar his job was to James Heriott's..?

  • Sep 3, 2025 · 51 min

    This Family Have The Oldest Line Of Labradors In The World: 150 Years Of Continuous Breeding

    Charlie is joined by John Forbes-Leith to discuss the Fyvie Labradors. John's family have had the Fyvie line since 1885 and is, by our reckoning, the oldest continuous line of Labradors in the world. Discovered in Canada, Labrador Retrievers were brought back to the U.K. for retrieving ducks from the water. From the early boats, some went to the Duke of Buccleuch, others went to the Earl of Malmsbury, and some went to an Aberdeenshire family. Both Buccleuch and Malmsbury have lost their lines, but the Forbes-Leith kept theirs, breeding mother to daughter for 150 years. However, if you asked in the trialling world or even in the Kennel Club about the Fyvie Labradors, no one would have heard of them... so join Charlie as he lifts the lid on one of the most exciting story in recent years. 0:00 - Introduction 0:47 - Family History 04:19 - How Did Labradors Come To Britain? 10:02 - How Have They Managed The Breeding? 16:46 - How Do They Choose Stud Dogs 17:59 - Pointing Labradors 22:50 - Who Owns The Fyvie Book? 26:01 - How Many Dogs Do They Breed? 29:22 - Where Do They Puppies Go? 31:05 - Best Dog Trainer In The Family? 37:30 - Typical Year For The Dogs 42:49 - Why Field Trial Champions 48:45 - Only Black Labs? 50:42 - Outro

  • Sep 3, 2025 · 50 min

    Sleeping In The Kennels & Eating From A Dog Food Bowl: How I Built Mordor Gundogs

    Charlie is joined by the Mordor media man, Joe, and together they discuss the early days of Mordor Gundogs. Charlie shares how his love of dogs started, why he rejected his place in the army, and how he laid the groundwork (literally) for Mordor to become the place that it is today. He shares how he first discovered Craighead farm and why, upon purchasing it, he wasn't initially going to use it for dogs. Why he built the kennels first, which resulted in him having nowhere to sleep but... in the kennels. He eventually moved into the house; however, it didn't have windows, plasterboard, or electricity, so he spent a winter in a brick ruin with only a fire and a few dogs for company. It's a raw, funny and insightful episode, and we're looking forward to part two... 0:00 - Introduction 1:05 - Charlie Getting Into Fieldsports 5:50 - Buying His First Dog (& It Going Wrong) 10:55 - Who Taught Charlie? 16:05 - Getting A Cocker & Lab 21:53 - Why Did He Reject The Army? 28:25 - Starting Dog Training Full-Time 31:10 - Why The Name Mordor? 32:25 - Finding Craighead Farm 38:02 - Living In The Ruins 45:20 - Typical Day In The Life