Shooting UK: Letters

after reading the evaluation on HPRs in ST I felt only fair to write a letter with regard to my breed the Weimaraner. Said letter was kindly printed this week but it doesn't resemble mine very much in content. The gist is there but the title and some of it were not in my letter at all.

This is what I wrote:

Sorely Disapoointed

I read with interest David Tomlinson’s write up in this weeks ST (24th July 2008) & am sorely disappointed in the write up on the Weimaraner which is of no help to the breed at all.

My bitch, Bonnie, who has been featured with me & as part of a second article in this magasine is from the very American lines that David refers to. Bonnie works very well throughout the season on several shoots on various species both on land & in water, in addition to being my assistance dog - versatility is the name of the game!

The breeds greatest problem is that the hunting fraternity do not take them seriously as a gundog, they are a challenge to train that most have no time for & seen as a fashion accessory thanks to ads like Smirnoff & DFS.

Given the opportunity the Weimaraner is a keen hunter, good worker & an ideal family companion, not just a pretty coat. The improvement in temperament has been a benefit although there are still those that would be a great asset in the man work they are still asked to do in Germany. The Weimaraner is a forester’s dog. What they are not is a GSP or GWP in a grey coat.

Its disappointing to read such comments when so many are working hard to find training, get their dogs a place on a shoot & to finally surprise the days participants at just how good a Weimaraner can be.

This is the letter printed in this weeks shooting times:

Weimaraners need a fair hearing

I read with interest David Tomlinson's recent article (Gudie to HPRs, 24th July) but was very disappointed by the write up on the Weimaraner.

My bitch, Bonnie is from the American lines David refers to. Bonnie works very well throughout the shooting season on several shootins involving various species both on land and in water.

The breeds greatest problem is that the shooting fraternity does not take it seriously as a gundog. Weimaraners are a challenge to train and are sometimes seen as a fashion accessory due to the fact that they feature on advertisements for products such as Smirnoff.

The Weimaraner is an ideal family companion, not simply a pretty coat. The improvement in its temperament has been a benefit, through they can still be used for POLICE WORK. (???) The Weimaraner is a forester's dog. It is not a GSP or a GWP in a grey coat.

Its disappointing to read such comments when so many are working hard to find training, get their dogs a place on a shoot and to surprise the days participants by showing how good Weimaraners are.
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I don't know who rewrote my letter but Weimaraners need no more a fair hearing than any of the other breeds featured none of which received a very enthusiastic write up and I have no idea where the 'Police' element came from at all.