The annotated list below is not exhaustive, but represents a selection of interesting & useful material relevant to the handling and management of working HPR’s in the British Isles. Suggestions for inclusion in this list are always welcome.
Please note: The views and comments expressed below do not necessarily reflect the views of the Norfolk & Suffolk HPR Field Trial Club.
Argue, Derry
Pointers & Setters Swan Hill Press, 1999, ISBN: 1 85310 239 3Although not an HPR book the chapters on “How Dogs Learn” and “Training in the Field” illustrate practical techniques that HPR handlers can learn from. The book is well illustrated and the reproductions of paintings of Pointers and Setters add another great dimension.
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Brander, Michael
The Rough Shooter’s Dog Jupiter Books (London), 1978, SBN: 85614 000 7A classic on training HPR’s for shooting in the British Isles. A good chapter on “Scent & Scenting”. the book looks and feels “dated” now, but it contains much that is still valuable to us today. The chapter describing days out with the dog and gun nearly half a century ago conjure up a sporting atmosphere that we can still enjoy today with our HPR’s.
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Brander, Michael
Training the Pointer-Retriever Gundog Pelham Books, 1983, ISBN: 0 7207 1481 8Sure to be a book thats been used to train many an HPR for the field. A more detailed and structured approach to training the HPR than his earlier work. The descriptions of “shooting days” in his original book have been replaced with a chapter on test and trials. There is also a very useful chapter on “Training the Mature Dog”. An excellent practical handbook for working HPR handlers.
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Byrne, Georgina
Der Deutch Kurzhaar: The German Shorthaired Pointer Georgina & Michael Byrne, 1990, 978 1863070065Very expensive
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Erlandson, Keith
Gundog Training Popular Dogs, 1984, ISBN: 0 09 161340 XErlandson had considerable experience training gundogs, particulary spaniels, over a long period of time. This was his first book and covers a wide range of training topics from a general roughshooting perspective. It is still useful for getting insights into common training issues and dealing with the key aspects of working a roughshooting dog, e.g. “Steadiness to Game”, “Quartering to a Pattern”, “Dropping to Shot”, “Working on Runners”, etc.
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Gottlieb, Gay
The Hungarian Vizsla TFH Publications, 1999, ISBN: 185 279 1047The classic work on the Vizsla. A book for the Vizsla enthusiast. A large book – 320 pages.
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Heath, Veronica
A Dog at Heel Perry Green Press, 1999, ISBN:A succinct paperback covering an unusual role for the HPR. Practical guidance and advise.
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Hudson, David
Working Pointers & Setters Swan Hill, 2004, ISBN: 0 904057 40 3This book does not contain much on training HPR’s, but does describe evocatively the handling of working gundogs and “the guns” on the grouse moors.
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Jackson, Tony
HPR: The Continental Gundog Ashford, Buchan & Enright, 1989, ISBN: 1 852531894From a past editor and current contributor to the Shooting Times.
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Knowles, Derek
Working Pointers Pentland Press, 1998, ISBN: 1 85821 561 7Not a training manual, but a thoughtful and therefore personal view on the work of pointers and HPR’s on a wide range of quarry from a man who was a Kennel Club “A” panel HPR judge for around twenty years. Thought provoking and something different and valuable for beginning and more experienced handlers of HPR’s.
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Layton, David
All-Purpose Gundog: The German Shorthaired Pointer in Great Britain Dalsetter Designs (Wakefield), 1989, ISBN: 1 87185 600 0Much of the book from this widely experienced breeder, handler and kennel club “A” panel judge of HPR field trials, concerns the background, history and management of GSP’s, some of which is applicable to other HPR’s. The section on training and hunting contain clear practical advice. An interesting book especially for owners of GSP’s.
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Layton, David
German Shorthaired Pointers Today Ringpress, 1994, ISBN: 0 948955 78 3Straightforward and accessible information concerning the working and show GSP. There is an international element that reflects the interests and experience of the author. There are some basic chapters on training and working GSP’s. A good introduction to the GSP.
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Maxwell, C. Bede
The New German Shorthaired Pointer Macmillan, 1982, ISBN: 0 87605 157 3The first edition of her respected book came out in 1963 and mainly concerns the origins of the GSP in Germany and the later development of the GSP in America. Nothing on training and handling but of interest to history-minded owners. A chapter on “British and Commonwealth Shorthairs”.
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McKowen, Robert H.
The New Complete German Shorthaired Pointer Howell Book House, 1998, ISBN: 0 87605 149 2A celebration of the history of the GSP in America. One for the breed enthusiast.
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Moxon, P.R.A
Training the Roughshooter’s Dog Popular Dogs, 1981, ISBN: 0 09 144000 9Long-time writer of a regular column on gundogs for the “Shooting Times”, this book is mainly aimed at spainel trainers, but much of the advise on basic training can be used for HPR’s and there is a useful chapter on “Common Problems”.
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Stephen, Wilson
Gundog Sense & Sensibility Swan Hill Press, 2001, ISBN: 1 84037 261 1Written by long term editor of the “Field”, field trial judge and competitor, this book discusses training and handling by considering the man-dog communication system – this is not about what to do but importantly how to do it by understanding the gundogs senses. Packed with information and ideas, but very readable.
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Pinkerton, S
German Wirehaired Pointers Today Ringpress, 1984, ISBN: 0 9 48955 49 xWritten by one of the leading exponent of the breed for both field trials and showing, this book covers a lot of ground in 160 pages. There is not a great deal on training, but it is a good introduction for the GWP enthusiast. The chapters on the “Wirehair in Britain” and “Specialised Activities” are particulary interesting. A good introduction to the GWP.
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Wallace, Guy
The Versatile Gundog: Training HPR’s for Gun, Rifle & Hawk Sportsman’s Press, 1995, ISBN: 0 948253 75 4The book is a clearly written brief introduction to basic HPR training and field work. There are chapters on the more specialised areas of falconry and stalking. It has been superseded to some extent by the author’s later book “The Specialist Gundog”.
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Wallace, Guy
The Specialist Gundog: Training the Right Breed for Shooting Wild Game Sportsman’s Press, 2002, ISBN: 0 948253 82 7A practical and down to earth guide for novice HPR handlers that considers the full range of working activities of the HPR in the British Isles. There is particular emphasis on choosing the right breed of gundog for shooting wild game. This book complements his earlier work “The Versatile Gundog”.
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Sonderland, Niels
Working with Dogs for Deer Jaghtforlaget, 2007, ISBN: 87 91632 10 2A specialised subject, but a fast-growing area of interest in the British Isles where HPR’s have a strong and increasing role to play in management and leisure stalking, and tracking deer involved in road traffic accidents. Written by an experienced professional, it is readable and well illustrated. This is a great source of knowledge for the amateur and professional stalker-handler.