Based in The Beautiful Cotswolds
TRAINING FOR TEMPERAMENT, HEALTH AND DRIVE
From a young age Sam Thatcher, born and bred in Hampshire, has always had a passion to work with dogs.
Now based in The Beautiful Cotswolds, Sam has a wide range of practical and theoretical knowledge from basic training, to behaviour, to trialling standard and able to work with many breeds, although she does have a soft spot for the Cocker Spaniel!
To start off her knowledge, she achieved a BSc Hons Degree in Animal Science and Behaviour; focusing her work specifically on canine research. Alongside this Sam took on a course for Companion Animal Psychology and Behaviour to gain further knowledge.
She then went straight into the practical side of training by starting at her local residential and private training kennels. Here she could specialise in the Gundogs but able to gain experience of a variety of breeds too. Within a year Sam was already taking on her own private lessons and group lessons.
Sam has been known as Strigidae Gundogs for over a decade with just as many years experience of dog training, with the motto;
'he is your friend, your dog’.
Her love of the Spaniels led her to field trialling, where her persistence, hard work and team work has led to some very impressive achievements; including winning awards with her whole pack, making up her first FIELD TRIAL CHAMPION in only four years of competing, finishing the championships in the high awards and an Open Award first time out for her home bred youngster.
Tia, Eddy and Ginny have all proven to provide great results for Sam and each of their stories can be found in their pages.
As well as this, Sam has her mass team of dogs that not only compete, pick up and beat but are a major part of the family whom enjoy a holiday in Wales once a year alongside their people! The dogs need a holiday as much as us!
Sam thrives on seeing her clients and their K9 friends progress and complete goals, whether its basic manners to top level competition work. Please look at the training page to see what we can offer you; from private training, to group days to residential training. Sam has a huge client base of wonderful clients from all over the country through building trust, friendships and bonds with owners as well as their K9 buddies!
Now based in The Beautiful Cotswolds, Sam has a wide range of practical and theoretical knowledge from basic training, to behaviour, to trialling standard and able to work with many breeds, although she does have a soft spot for the Cocker Spaniel!
To start off her knowledge, she achieved a BSc Hons Degree in Animal Science and Behaviour; focusing her work specifically on canine research. Alongside this Sam took on a course for Companion Animal Psychology and Behaviour to gain further knowledge.
She then went straight into the practical side of training by starting at her local residential and private training kennels. Here she could specialise in the Gundogs but able to gain experience of a variety of breeds too. Within a year Sam was already taking on her own private lessons and group lessons.
Sam has been known as Strigidae Gundogs for over a decade with just as many years experience of dog training, with the motto;
'he is your friend, your dog’.
Her love of the Spaniels led her to field trialling, where her persistence, hard work and team work has led to some very impressive achievements; including winning awards with her whole pack, making up her first FIELD TRIAL CHAMPION in only four years of competing, finishing the championships in the high awards and an Open Award first time out for her home bred youngster.
Tia, Eddy and Ginny have all proven to provide great results for Sam and each of their stories can be found in their pages.
As well as this, Sam has her mass team of dogs that not only compete, pick up and beat but are a major part of the family whom enjoy a holiday in Wales once a year alongside their people! The dogs need a holiday as much as us!
Sam thrives on seeing her clients and their K9 friends progress and complete goals, whether its basic manners to top level competition work. Please look at the training page to see what we can offer you; from private training, to group days to residential training. Sam has a huge client base of wonderful clients from all over the country through building trust, friendships and bonds with owners as well as their K9 buddies!
Thank you for taking a look at The Strigidae Website and if you have any questions please go to the contact page to contact Sam for enquiries.
The Strigidae Team News...
**TOP FEMALE GUNDOG TRAINER OF THE YEAR 2024**
We are very proud to announce that Sam attended The Great British Shooting Awards 2024 alongside two of the top male handlers in the country and as well as being in the top three; was the only female trainer to reach this level. We are so proud and very grateful to our amazing clients and friends whom have supported us for so many years!
**THOMAS SMASHES COMPETITION SEASON**
OFTAW Strigidae Hedgehunter has made us so proud this shooting season of 2023/24! Not only finishing every single trial he has been in, he gained top awards in novices and entered Open Trials non qualified and gained awards in all trials he ran in meaning no more novice trials for Thomas. Not only this, Thomas, my loyal man has carried on being a massive part of the picking up team throughout showing his true steadiness, focus and drive.
**EXCITING DATES FOR THE DIARY**
We have been inundated with invitations for training days and very excited to be working alongside many clubs and Gamekeepers Goods. We are very much looking forward to support and help friendly faces, old and new with their canine buddies. Always as ever grateful to be sponsored by Skinner’s Field and Trial and Gamekeepers Goods who have always been so supportive.
We have also had confirmation for up and coming Demonstration dates over the 2024 season and look forward to seeing you all there!
**GREAT WIN FOR STRIGIDAE HEDGEHUNTER**
Thomas attended his first competition at The Wiltshire Working Gundog Society's Working Test on Sunday 10th April 2022.
We went to gain experience and to see how Thomas coped in a competition environment. Well all I can say is the boy did not put a paw wrong, was an absolute dream to run and we came home with FIRST PLACE out of 22 dogs! I am so excited to see where we can go in the trialling season he is my best friend and a joy to run. Good Boy Thomas!!
**STRIGIDAE HEDGEHUNTER NOW STANDING AT STUD**
Thomas is now proven by numerous bitches and really pleased to announce this fully health tested young man is now STANDING AT STUD at the Strigidae Kennels. He is such a gentleman that has been a joy to train from the start, is kind and gentle with the ladies and my next up and coming trialling star! With an impeccable pedigree please take a look at Thomas' page: Strigidae Hedgehunter
**FTCH WINDWITHE SOLITAIRE OF STRIGIDAE'S FULL CHAMPIONSHIP RUN 2019**
It sadly has taken a long time get but finally we can offer you the amazing full runs, including run offs, of Eddy's runs in her last championship. I am so proud of this little lady, putting not a single foot wrong and allowing us to come home with Third and Guns Choice. Consistency is her middle name and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN-DXT_a6eQ
We are very proud to announce that Sam attended The Great British Shooting Awards 2024 alongside two of the top male handlers in the country and as well as being in the top three; was the only female trainer to reach this level. We are so proud and very grateful to our amazing clients and friends whom have supported us for so many years!
**THOMAS SMASHES COMPETITION SEASON**
OFTAW Strigidae Hedgehunter has made us so proud this shooting season of 2023/24! Not only finishing every single trial he has been in, he gained top awards in novices and entered Open Trials non qualified and gained awards in all trials he ran in meaning no more novice trials for Thomas. Not only this, Thomas, my loyal man has carried on being a massive part of the picking up team throughout showing his true steadiness, focus and drive.
**EXCITING DATES FOR THE DIARY**
We have been inundated with invitations for training days and very excited to be working alongside many clubs and Gamekeepers Goods. We are very much looking forward to support and help friendly faces, old and new with their canine buddies. Always as ever grateful to be sponsored by Skinner’s Field and Trial and Gamekeepers Goods who have always been so supportive.
We have also had confirmation for up and coming Demonstration dates over the 2024 season and look forward to seeing you all there!
**GREAT WIN FOR STRIGIDAE HEDGEHUNTER**
Thomas attended his first competition at The Wiltshire Working Gundog Society's Working Test on Sunday 10th April 2022.
We went to gain experience and to see how Thomas coped in a competition environment. Well all I can say is the boy did not put a paw wrong, was an absolute dream to run and we came home with FIRST PLACE out of 22 dogs! I am so excited to see where we can go in the trialling season he is my best friend and a joy to run. Good Boy Thomas!!
**STRIGIDAE HEDGEHUNTER NOW STANDING AT STUD**
Thomas is now proven by numerous bitches and really pleased to announce this fully health tested young man is now STANDING AT STUD at the Strigidae Kennels. He is such a gentleman that has been a joy to train from the start, is kind and gentle with the ladies and my next up and coming trialling star! With an impeccable pedigree please take a look at Thomas' page: Strigidae Hedgehunter
**FTCH WINDWITHE SOLITAIRE OF STRIGIDAE'S FULL CHAMPIONSHIP RUN 2019**
It sadly has taken a long time get but finally we can offer you the amazing full runs, including run offs, of Eddy's runs in her last championship. I am so proud of this little lady, putting not a single foot wrong and allowing us to come home with Third and Guns Choice. Consistency is her middle name and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN-DXT_a6eQ