Spend just five minutes around someone passionate about gundogs and you quickly realise — it’s never just about the dogs. It’s about lifestyle, tradition, patience, countryside community, and a genuine love for seeing dogs do exactly what they were bred to do.
In this Q&A, we’re sitting down to talk all things gundogs, from picking up, beating, dog training, to balancing life between the shooting season and the summer show ring.
Thanks for joining us, Rebecca. We see you regularly working your dogs, how did you first get involved in gundogs?
I’ve always lived in the countryside and had a love for animals and being outdoors. I also worked on a game farm from a young age, which really sparked my interest in countryside sports. So, combining my love for dogs and the countryside just made sense. When I got my first cocker, I was really lucky to go back and work on the shoot owned by the keeper who bred her. Since then, my passion has just grown.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of working with gundogs?
Seeing a young dog that I’ve put so much time and effort into training get their first retrieve. Anyone involved in gundog training will understand that it’s not just about the retrieve itself — it’s all the repetition, consistency, patience, and trust built beforehand.
I’m also really proud of myself for being a young female succeeding in a predominantly male-dominated field.
As the season goes on, I’ve struggled with my dogs becoming a bit ‘self-employed, so every year I have to notice the signs early and stay on top of training.
What advice would you give someone thinking about working their dog?
Honestly? Just get out there and try it. There’s no intimidating gatekeeping here. No expectation that you need years of experience before stepping into the countryside scene. There’s no harm in trying.
I’d recommend asking your local shoot if you can stand in the picking-up line alongside someone more experienced.
It’s one of the best ways to learn — observing etiquette, understanding how drives work, and getting comfortable in the environment before bringing your own dog into the mix.
You can also try beating without your dog first, just to see if it’s something you enjoy. Then once you feel confident, bring your dog along and see how they react.
Outside of the shooting season, you also show your dogs, including at Crufts. What advice would you give someone wanting to do both?
For many people, showing and working dogs feel like completely separate worlds. But I believe there’s room for both. Start small, at a local family fun dog shows, agricultural shows, or Terrier and Lurcher shows first. It’s where confidence grows naturally for you and your dog.
I learned so much just from taking part, watching other people, and learning the etiquette of the show ring. Once you and your dog feel confident and competent in the ring, you can work your way up from there.
Is there a piece of kit you wouldn’t be without?
A whistle and a slip lead. Always.
I do think dogs should still be trained to voice commands too… because one day you will leave your whistle at home.
Is there a piece of advice you have been given that has stuck with you?
If your dogs are having a bad day, put them back in the truck. You can always try again tomorrow.
There’s something incredibly valuable in that mindset — especially in a world where people often expect instant results from dogs, training, and themselves. Some days simply aren’t productive. And knowing when to stop is often just as important as knowing when to push forward.
What’s your non-negotiable when picking up?
Never let your dog run around the gun line while the drive is in progress. I personally think it’s good etiquette to keep dogs back and out of the way until the drive is complete.
Fieldsports etiquette matters just as much as dog training itself. Calm, controlled dogs are not only safer, they make the entire day run more smoothly for everyone involved.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about gundogs?
I always presumed you had to be into shooting to own working gundogs, but for a long time this wasn’t the case for me.
Up until recently, I wasn’t even that interested in shooting. I just loved seeing my dogs work and do what they were bred to do.
You don’t need to arrive in the countryside world already knowing everything about shooting days or field sports traditions. Sometimes it starts simply with loving dogs, enjoying training, and wanting to spend more time outdoors.
What’s most refreshing about conversations like this is how welcoming the gundog community is for women. More women are stepping confidently into the world of working dogs, picking up, beating, and countryside sports — not because they feel they need to prove something, but because they genuinely love it.
To find out more and follow Rebecca, and her dogs, follow them on Instagram @beccas_mini_zoo
