Hartmoor Gundogs is a family-run gundog training business owned and operated by Chris Holland based in the beautiful, wild moors of the North Pennines in the North of England. Training takes place in real working country, producing honest, capable gundogs suited to life in the field as well as steady, well-balanced dogs at home.

Chris has a lifelong passion for gundogs and many years of hands-on experience training and working dogs in demanding terrain and conditions. His approach is rooted in practical fieldcraft, backed by a deep understanding of canine behaviour, learning, and the working heritage of gundog breeds. He has trained and worked across all gundog types — Retrievers, Spaniels, and HPRs — with experience in breeds including Labradors, Golden and Flatcoat Retrievers, Springer and Cocker Spaniels, Hungarian Vizslas, German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners, Portuguese Pointers, Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointers, and Bavarian Mountain Hounds.

Training at Hartmoor Gundogs is straightforward, effective, and fair. Methods are modern and positive, but always practical and field-tested. Chris works dogs for real work — from steady picking-up and driven days to hunting, pointing, tracking, and blood trailing. Whether your aim is field trials, working tests, shooting days, or simply developing a capable and fulfilled gundog, training is tailored to the level and purpose you want to achieve.

Chris currently owns and works Hungarian Vizslas, a German Shorthaired Pointer, and Bavarian Mountain Hounds. His particular focus on HPRs has led to extensive study of their origins, instincts, and working abilities, allowing him to train them honestly and to a high standard. He also specialises in blood tracking with breeds such as the Bavarian Mountain Hound, where success depends on understanding ground conditions, scent, weather, and the dog’s physical and mental state — and being able to read the dog in real time.

Training is approached holistically but without gimmicks. Each dog is treated as an individual, with methods adapted to suit their temperament, drive, and physical capability. Chris also works closely with handlers, adjusting instruction to build confidence, clarity, and strong teamwork. All training is designed to be constructive and rewarding, producing dogs that work with purpose, resilience, and reliability in the field.

At Hartmoor, we believe that trust is the foundation of all training. Without it, guidance becomes management, and compliance replaces understanding. Every dog is an individual, every handler has unique goals, and our work adapts to both — never forcing either into a generic system.

We prioritise relationship before performance, and confidence before pressure. Training is always thoughtful, deliberate, and structured around the dog’s physical, mental, and emotional development. Rushing or taking shortcuts risks long-term damage, and we refuse to put dogs in situations they are not ready for.

Our approach is grounded in understanding the canine mind and how humans can communicate effectively. We use positive, reward-based methods designed to set dogs up for success. Every session is bespoke, progressive, and adaptable — whether your goal is a well-mannered companion, a working gundog, or competing in tests or trials.

We start with foundations training, giving dogs and handlers the clarity, skills, and confidence they need. From there, plans are tailored to individual goals, whether breed-specific enrichment, steady work in the field, or advanced competition.

Every element of our training respects the dog’s welfare as the highest priority. Sessions are designed for age and development, with appropriate duration, intensity, and breaks. Where necessary, we offer in-home training to cover life skills, steadiness, and practical handling.

Although we specialise with gundogs, we work with all breeds, all ages and every level. We work with breed charities to rescue, rehabilitate and train dogs and have experience in adopting dogs ourselves.