Game Shooting The English Springer Spaniel   by Wayzgoose

Game Shooting is being looked at in the UK by misguided people who are only interested in 'banning things'. Hunting with dogs has been going on in the UK since just after the last Ice Age. We have proof of that from Star Carr, in Yorkshire. More 'domestic' hunting and herding dogs have been found by archaeologists on this important site than anywhere else in the world and the dog's skeltons are the oldest ever found anywhere in the world and the dog's were buried with their hunting men, in what could said to be, a reverential fashion. Nothing has changed. Our hunting dogs are just as important today in the 21st Century! The English Springer Spaniel is the senior of all of our hunting Gundogs. They are one of the most beautiful of all breeds of dog and have a beautiful temperament to match. No wonder they are so popular, all over the world! Their ability is unsurpassed for hunting small Game. This ability also makes the hunting of such Game, an honest and humane one, as 'the dog' is first in and last out, with the shot Game. The English Springer is a dog that England can be very very proud of and a dog that goes hand in hand with good Game Shooting. Banning Game Shooting would mean banning this beautiful English dog to oblivion! Even the great Chaucer wrote of this dog. That is just how old it is and a quote from a 17th Century English sportsman says it all, "The Spaniel is gentle, loving and courteous to man more than any other dog, of free untiring laborsome ranging, beating a full course over and over, which he does with a wanton playing taile and a busie laboring noise, neither desisting nor showing less delight in his labors at night than he did in the morning" A hunting dog is part of every British 'countryman's' life in our countryside and it has been that way since records began. And one thing to note of great importance. The English Springer is the only dog ever to be awarded the dog equivalent of the Victoria Cross Medal, with the British Army for great services rendered with the Explosives and Ammunitions Detection Squad, in the current war in Iraq. The Victoria Cross is only ever awarded to it's recipient for extreme bravery in the face of extreme danger, and selfless work for his or her action, in the field of battle. The Springer's work had saved many hundreds of lives at huge risk to his own safety in Iraq, aswell as many 'tours of duty' in the Euro war in the Balkans. This working Springer, named 'Buster' and handled by Staff Sgt Danny Morgan, also gained the love and heart of the British nation at Crufts 2005. He was voted the bravest dog for 2005 and received the 'Hero' Award. If there was ever a 'Tommy' of the dog world, then the English Springer is it! Quite an honour and testament for a English hunting dog that is, quote,"gentle, loving and courteous to man more than any other dog". And last but not least, this dog treated anyone and all he met in Iraq with the same care and respect, be they Muslim or Christian. A lesson for all humanity, taught to us by a mere glorious English Hunting dog.