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The Working Dog Arena at the Midland Game Fair is a celebration of all things canine, and provides the focal point for our Working Dog Village. Countryman Fairs are proud to be able to bring together the worlds foremost experts in the training, care and development of our working dog breeds. The Arena provides both entertainment and education in equal measure, whether you are a handler of the highest order, or just want to develop a closer bond with the hairiest member of the family. Our experts have a long and distinguished pedigree, both handlers and their canine counterparts! All of our experts will be pleased to stop for a chat after their demonstration and pass on some of their pearls of wisdom.

Rytex Gundogs

Ian and Wendy Openshaw are the most successful trainers or working spaniels in the UK. Between them they have an outstanding record of wins. They have made up over 68 field trial champions, including eleven Labradors, proving the versatility of their gundog training methods. Their world-famous display begins with the very earliest stages of training, where play is used to develop a puppy’s natural instincts. The team is made up of a variety of dogs at various stages of their training, from youngsters to highly experienced dogs. Ian Wendy demonstrate their renowned training techniques, working the dogs individually and in groups where control and understanding is key.

Ricky Moloney

From an early age Ricky has been involved with working dogs, starting as a young boy looking after his brother’s Labrador. As a 19yr old, he began an apprenticeship at Willowyck Kennels, under the expert guidance of Alan Thorton and Tess Lawrence. After 17yrs at Willowyck Kennels, he has now set up, with his partner Sandra, a training establishment near Burford, Oxon with Ribblesdale Labradors. Ricky has made up two Field Trial Champions. All the dogs in this demonstration are worked throughout the shooting season starting in August on the grouse moors.

Mullenscote Gundogs

Based at Lains Shooting School, Mullenscote Gundogs started training dogs for the shooting field in 1987. Their first clients were friends who saw their dogs work up through the field, and were so impressed that they asked for help with their training. The demonstration will start with a young puppy and work up through the team of dogs at different ages and levels of training. The team have a varied background from the finest working stock to rescue dogs Battersea Dogs Home. The trainers will discuss and show off the various characters amongst the dogs and get some of the audience into the ring to have a go at training.