workinghprs.myfastforum.org

josie · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:08 am Post subject: forum newsletter

This is just to let you all know that I'm setting up a forum newsletter and soon will be asking for contributions to it, so get your thinking caps on! The newsletter will be in pdf format and emailed to forum members, and will be called The Working HPR.

Here are some ideas for articles:

Write-ups of working tests, trials, training days, or memorable shooting days. It would be especially good to hear from people writing about their first experience of any of these, as this will encourage more newcomers to give them a go.

Articles on other animals you keep because you have working dogs: Have you built a rabbit pen? A quail house? Had a go at keeping pigeons? What did you learn in the process and what would you do differently next time?

Reviews of products you find useful (or not): Any gadgets you might own and use which might be interesting to others?

Breed focus: Each issue it would be nice to have an article on a different breed of HPR, written by someone who owns the breed. Perhaps this article could focus on the working aspects of the breeds, as there is already abundant info on their history (for most breeds, anyway). Does your breed often like/dislike water? Range wide/small? Have a natural tendency to ground scent or air scent? Is it starting to separate into working/show strains or is it still fully dual purpose? Does it have a tendency to be vocal/whine? Information which someone who is thinking of buying a HPR to work might want to know about your breed.

Results of tests and trials (with approval for publication).

"Dog on Point": It's hoped that each issue will feature a photo of a Dog On Point.

Focus on [foreign country]: An overview of competitive gundog work in other countries, focussing on a different country each issue.

Interview with a forum member: To help us get to know each other better, active forum members will be invited to answer a few questions on how they got into their breed, what they do with their breed, what they hope to achieve in future and so on. We might do one person each issue, or ask fewer questions to more people - not sure yet!

Other activities: Although the bulk of the newsletter will focus on gundog work, it's hoped that occasional articles will also feature other dog sports or activities people might be interested in pursuing, although these will have to be written assuming that the readers know nothing about the sports in question.

Any photos you may have to accompany the articles will also be gratefully received (as long as you took the photo and own the copyright).

Anyway, if you have a burning desire to write an article on any of the above, please send me a PM and let me know. The deadline hasn't been decided yet but is likely not to be for another month or two.

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