Hearty congratulations are in order for Anne Livingston, the winner of our 2009 Spaniel Journal Writing Contest. Her winning entry strikes a chord consisting of a birdy Boykin, anniversaries and girls afield in Flush.
Well-respected field trial judge, successful trainer, competitor and gunner, Bill Cosgrove, shares his thoughts on Pitching the Perfect Game as it applies to gunning. One of the finest ladies of spaniel field trials, Dominique Savoie, files her extraordinary report on The Last Best Place for a Cocker National.
The Reluctant Gun Dog: The Beginning is a new series by noted author, Chip Schleider, tracing the journey of discovery with his precocious cocker, Arwen. My article offers insight on Avoiding Pitfalls on the Path to Training Your Own Dog - by reading your young dog and tailoring training to suit his temperament and readiness. In Bill Fawcett's Wing Tips - Propagation and Care of Pigeons, he addresses keeping them healthy.
Our guest editorial Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Meeting Your Legislators by Jenny Thrasher, provides valuable advice for dog owners and breeders meeting with politicians on dog issues. With anti-dog, anti-dog breeder, anti-dog owner legislation appearing all across the country, we all need to get involved. It's not difficult. Get informed, pick up the phone or visit your legislators.
A new release and companion book to Urban Gun Dogs, the Field Guide to Retriever Drills: Training Your Retriever At Home, In The Field, And On The Water by Benjamin H. Schleider II and Anthony Z. Roettger is the subject of Bill Fawcett Reviews. Be sure to visit the Spaniel Journal Bookstore for these and a wide selection of other spaniel related books.
Kindest Regards,
~Loretta Baughan
Editor and Publisher