About Us

Wirral Gundogs was formed by Gary and Emma McCarthy

Gary McCarthy BSc (Hons), APDT

With many years practical experience of training gundogs, Gary is a very keen shooting and trialing man who knows only too well the value of a properly trained working gundog. As well as being a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Gary is a Kennel Club judge and member of many gundog training clubs, competing and judging at field trials and working tests. Gary represented his country as part of the England Retriever Team with FTW Muggleswick Samba and has won Puppy, Novice and Open Working Tests, team events and has had lots of awards in Field Trials. He’s currently running Otter and Winnie; Otter is by his Field Trial Winner Jack (Muggleswick Samba) and Winnie is by FTCh Gosberry Governor out of FTW Alder Angel of Venvill.

Gary has had many years practical experience of working his gundogs in the field. Having started out at the age of twelve as a beater on The Earl of Derby’s Estate, he then acquired his first spaniel from a gamekeeper. He was mesmerised by the pickers-up and their dogs, and so he progressed to a young cocker spaniel (called Leece) trained by a dear friend, gundog trainer Ian Griffiths – that was the start of Gary’s love affair with working gundogs.

Emma McCarthy BA (Hons), MA

Emma grew up in rural Derbyshire working closely with dogs and horses and has always been passionate about the countryside. She worked for the Earl and Countess of Derby looking after their art collection, and was based on their estate in Knowsley, Lancashire. There she was introduced fully to the world of shooting and conservation including her first unforgettable (and exhausting) day beating for grouse across the Derbyshire moors. Having met Gary there in she began to learn all about training working gundogs. Today Emma and Gary run Wirral Gundogs together, Gary teaching and Emma running their kennels.

Emma and Gary also breed working labradors under their Kennel name Thorsrock Gundogs.