THE GUNDOGS I HAVE KNOWN

There’s a battered little placard hanging in the kitchen porch with the words: “The more I learn about people, the more I love my dogs”.

I don’t know who coined it but the sentiment’s one countless shooting people will identify with because they don’t see four-legged friends as essential workers, they’re also part of the family. In fact, for those who live alone, they are family, precious beyond words.

Now, thanks to the lockdowns, many more people are discovering the joys and responsibilities of dog ownership. But at what cost?

The price of even a cross-bred puppy has rocketed over the past year, while the cost of a pedigree has hit eye-wateringly new heights. Think back to 2019: would you have believed it had you been told the price of a working spaniel or labrador puppy was about to rise threefold