The Team:

Annette Bowcott set up Hamble Hounds in 1998:

"I was one of those toddlers who would make a bee-line for any dog I saw, to the consternation of my parents and, probably, many dog owners.  My parents were cruel and heartless (sic) so I wasn't allowed to have a dog when we lived in a busy town, but from the age of 6 I would walk the school crossing-warden's dog, (a big, ploddy labrador called Rusty) every day, and Bob my uncle's "multigene" dog. (This was a thousand year's ago, when it was considered ok for a child to be walked by a dog twice as big as her....).

Finally got my own dogs when we moved to Hampshire.Then, when grown up, couldn't have a dog while working full time, so grabbed any dog I could beg or borrow... which is a fantastic way of finding out how to motivate and teach different breeds and characters. This was the period when I started to get really interested in the science of dog behaviour, luckily it was the time when there was some great research and new thinking in the whole arena......

Struggled to find good training when Smudge came to me from Labrador Rescue with his own set of problems and decided to go for it and set up Hamble Hounds. With an employment history of training/developing adults and children with various physical and mental disabilities, I was well set to understand the dynamics of learning and manage groups...

I passionately believe that we should respect the intelligence and sensibilities of dogs. In my opinion that should prevent us from finding it acceptable to hurt or frighten them, just as it should prevent us from bullying or abusing vulnerable children. But that doesn't mean dogs should be able to run about causing mayhem! they have to live in "our" world ... I just love to use their intelligence and joy to teach them, rather than using physical or mental dominance. And I know it works!!"

Annette is a Accredited Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, No. 840. She has 2 black labradors Smudge and Rafferty (who have their own page on this website!)

Neil Cornish

Neil is our Gun Dog specialist. He has 3 male Labradors, Oslo 6 years old, Blake 3 and young Louis who is 2.

You'll have gathered Neil's passion is working lab retrievers, and he loves seeing the dogs using their natural abilities and enjoying their work.

All of his teaching uses Hamble Hounds methods, so no harsh handling just a great deal of thought, structure, patience and repetition!

Neil and the boys compete in gundog ‘Working Tests’ during the summer and ‘Field Trials’ during the shooting season. They also go ‘picking up’ on local shoots over the winter months.

Oslo is a real softie, but when it comes to retrieving he is completely driven and focused. He's a stylish dog and really catches the eye. Retired from competition now Oslo loves nothing better than a busy days work picking up.

Blake is a lovely, gentle, calm boy who has blossomed into a super working gundog. His strength is consistency and his ability to remain cool under pressure. He loves the water and and relives each retrieve with very animated dreams at home in the evenings!

Louis is a big, strong boy with a fantastic temperament. He is very enthusiastic about life and gives 110% to each retrieve. "I can't wait to get out competing with him this year"


Emma Francis

Emma is an Agility specialist. She runs her own agility business fundogagility, and holds lessons for us at Hamble Hounds.

We were very keen to get Emma involved, as she teaches agility properly, with due regard to the physical strains that can be put on dogs, so often ignored by unqualified 'trainers'. to the detriment of dog's health & competition ability in the longer term. 

Hamble Hounds classes introduce dogs to agility equipment; more importantly, will teach all of the foundation skills, balance, movement, steadiness etc.

We have Pre-beginners and Beginners courses. For those who get the bug, Emma has courses at all levels.....

All agility training uses our 'positive' approach.....

Charlie Fogden 

The youngest (by far!) member of the team, Charlie learned how to handle dogs and has become a competent helper, working in many of our classes.  This is what he says about it:

"I help Annette in various classes each week helping with lots of things such as holding dogs for recall and helping Annette demonstrate how to train the dogs. I decided to start helping in puppy classes as I like animals especially dogs. I enjoy the classes as I get to meet lots of new dogs and puppies and it’s a good thing to do in my free time also I am planning to work with dogs in the future".

January 2012... Charlie now his his own black Labrador Poppy, more here soon...