Gundog Expert Articles

How I got Started in Gundogs! by Jim Munro

It was in the late seventies early eighties when I first became involved in dogs.  I was not interested in dogs at this time and was flying birds of prey such as Sparrow hawks and Gos Hawks.  I required a dog to flush out rabbits for my birds, so I bought a Springer spaniel pup ‘Tag’ which I trained to do just that.  He was a great working dog and was seen by a friend of mine who asked me to come along to a working test, I was not interested at all, however, went along.  Tag went well and we achieved third place!

It was at this test that I first saw the Labrador retrievers working which really inspired me to then go and get myself a Labrador to train.  I did my homework and found out the best working lines.  After conversation with an experienced handler Jim Blair (Glasgow) I bought a bitch of the late Eddie Hill.  This bitch was called ‘Ally’ Spartan Lady being her kennel club name.  Through a process of self-learning via books I formed my own method of training.  Ally was a great bitch and we both went on to achieve great things, winning many test and trials and running at the CLA game fair for Scotland.  Our best achievement being 2nd one year and a 3rd   the following year at The British Champion Ships, which gave me the honour of meeting the Queen.

After Ally, I had the bug!!  Over the years I have had numerous dogs and bitches, all
being special in their own way and believe me I have had my fair share of dumplings!! 

'Munro Tess' was another great bitch to train and she went on to be a FTCH.   Also Linksview Jock (FTCH) was a great dog I enjoyed training.  Most recently I trained Morayglen Tinker (FTCH), he is a fantastic dog and was a challenge to train, which I enjoy.  He has qualified for the British Championships with my friend Allan Rees.  I could talk all day about the dogs I have had, the good times and of course the best times! There has been many great dogs over the years many being or becoming FTCH and FTW.

At present I have got a few pups ready for training along with Greenbriar Caffrey of Morayglen ‘Tag’ mark 2, he is 18 month old dog and is a nice stylish dog and I have high hopes for him.  I am also looking forward to training my yellow bitch ‘Dash’ as she is a right little character. 

My advice to any one who wants to get involved in this sport is to go for it.  Get in touch with someone who is experienced for guidance and who can advice you on good working lines, pups, contacting various gundog club’s for test and trials etc.

It is not easy at times you have to be dedicated and be out there wind, rain, hail and snow (bearing in mind I live in Scotland!!) you will have as many fails as you have achievements initially, and do not get discouraged, keep on trying you will learn.

I encourage people to get into this sport and often have training classes for people and I am pleased to see them succeeding.  Some have won test and trials something, which they thought they could never do!

Jim Munro
Morayglen Gundogs

(posted 16/11/2004)