I've just booked a ticket for the Gundog day at Crufts (it's my first time and I'm really excited!).  Does anyone know if there will be any working cockers there, and if so, at which events?  Thanks.

I guess there may be some in the Gamekeeper classes, but I don't know for sure. Those will be the only ones where you see the working-bred dogs as opposed to the show-type. Have fun anyway!
:)

Yes - I would imagine only in the gamekeepers classes although there could be one or 2 entered in the field trial show classes in the cocker entry but I wouldn't bank on it...

You want to be in Hall 4, rings 15/16 for the Gamekeepers classes

HTH

OMG I have alot to learn. Watch crufts, looked after and grommed dogs that have shown at crufts, but didnt know there was a gamekeeper class at crufts. Whey hey, this gets better and better!!!!!!!
](ok, I stupidly thought it was all about showing dogs. Not the shopping and the gamekeeper etc!!!!!!!!!!!)
Lea :)

The Gamekeepers Ring at Crufts is the oldest ring there Lea! It actually predates Crufts by quite a few years! In it you will find representatives of most of the working gundog breeds. Dogs owned by gamekeepers and also teams of three dogs which pick up on shoots. It is judged as a show class but with the emphasis on the ability of the dog to do a full day in the field. These dogs are lean and fit! In days of old it was the place where, after the end of the shooting season the old working kennels could sell surplus stock

Best wishes, John

ooooops John. Sorry. Buyt it proves one thing.The media hype, only shows what the media wants to!!!!!!!!!! I honestly knew nothinmg about the gamekeepers ring. Are you there????????
Well, will look out for the working setters. The kennels I used to work at had a working setter. She was actually the mum of a show setter that got a cc. Is that unusual for breeds. Seems that working breeds have nothing but similarities with their show counterparts.
Lea :)

Not in the ring this year Lea. I'm not sure if I'll be there at all this year. I've not missed for years but have a few problems so will have to see how things go a bit nearer the time.

Actually quite a few working dogs have some show in there. In fact if you take most working lines back 7 or 8 generations you will usually find a show dog in there somewhere. A friend's FT winning Golden is from solid show lines!!

Best wishes, John

Well, If you are there, Let us know and will look out for you :D
It is surprising how different they can be, with only a few generations gap!!!
I know dolly, the irish s=etter was a superb gundog, her daughter Molly, was an excellant show dog.!!!!!!!!!!
Lea :)

Hi John, sorry if you are to miss Crufts, hope things work out, must say I was under the impression that the are a some field/show champions, am I wrong? Believe it of not there is a Elkhound Champion bitch that works on shoots, up but I think only on a rough shoot, she wont touch feather for some reason known to herself, strange breed Elks.

There was an article in Shooting Times a couple of weeks ago Jackie about a Rottie which regulaly goes beating on a shoot! The dogs love it! A day spent out in the fresh air running and hunting, a canine dream!

As to Dual Champions, The last in Labradors to my knowlege was Knaith Banjo born in 1946!! Other breeds have done better at keeping their breeds both working and showing and a Gordon Setter Dual Champion was made up last year. I know there are several Dual Champions in the HPR breeds. Unfortunatly in the case of retrievers, the standard is now so high that the chances of a show Champion attaining the standard to also become a Field Trials Champion is remote to nill. Sad but true.

Best wishes, John

That Rottie has been on our shoot twice this year.  Howard comes down to stay with my neighbour!  He is incredible.  He will flush something then just stand there and look at it!  Well impressive!

Thanks, WorkingCockers - I'll check out the gamekeepers classes. 

you're welcome!! Enjoy your day - wear layers of clothing - starts off cold then heats up and comfy footwear!!

Our local police force have just bought two working cockers for sniffer dogs and they will be up there on the Thursday (4th).  There was an article about them in the local paper.  I believe there is someone who posts here (Metpol?) who might be able to enlighten us more.

I haven't been to Crufts for many many years but I might just go this year.

Lea, if you want to see more working cockers, can I suggest you visit the CLA gamefair in July.  They have working dog demonstrations and lots of scurries and gundog events going on.  I enjoy Crufts, but I really love the gamefair.  It runs over 3 days and there's so much to see. 
Lorna

Lorna,
Where is it??????? Might look into going.
Think I had better see if I can cope with crufts first tho,
If you see two women that look alike, slumped in the middle of the walk way by 2pm on Saturday, that will be me and mum.
Lea :)

<<If you see two women that look alike, slumped in the middle of the walk way by 2pm on Saturday, that will be me and mum.>>

If you are there that day Lea you will miss the Cockers! Gundog day is Friday!

The CLA Game Fair is at Blenhim Palace Oxford on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of July. I will be there on the 24th manning the scurry.

Best wishes, John

Aha, thats my point John. I am there Friday AND Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remind me nearer the time and I will see if I can sneak off work again!!!!!!!!
Lea :)

Two days! I only ever did that once. That was the year my trousers came second in veteran Borzoi but thats another story!

Best wishes, John

Well, I love gundogs, and mum loves Beardies,  So we have to do both days!!!!!!!!!!!
Mum wants to see the Potterdales, she used to own one.  Think I am MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
( I presume your trousers was a dog, or am I missing something :D)
Lea :)

LOL Lea, I suspect that the veteran Borzoi could not wait for the next lamppost. But we have to wait for John to tell us.

Oh yes, they were my trousers in the ring but I was not wearing them at the time!

Ooh John! You weren't caught with your trousers down??!!

:-o  :-o  :-o

That for me to know and you lot to wonder ;) Suffice to say it was the talk in dark corners of the Golden and Flatcoat rings the following day caused in no small part by a "friend" calling across the Golden ring in a loud voice, "Nice to see you have your trousers on today John!"

LMAO, Oh to know what happened!!!!!!!
LEa :)

Sounds like Crufts is going to be even more exciting than I imagined!!!