TAWNYHILL  GUNDOGS

Our business started in 1984 with 2 dogs and 1 kennel.  I worked as a self employed farm worker and trained gundogs on a part time basis.

Whilst working dogs as a hobby and self satisfaction for perfection, I was inundated with requests to train other peoples' dogs. I took on more and more dogs from around Kent until my hobby became almost a full time job. I then had to decide to continue as a farmer or commit 100% to training dogs.  This was in many ways an easy decision because I could work at something I really enjoyed.  It is often the case the owner will commence training and when running into difficulties will seek advise and professional help.  The young dogs will then return to the kennels for training for between 8 and 10 months depending on what end result is required. 

During 1992 I made the move to Cuckoo Wood Farmhouse and started up with only 8 kennels.  Reassuringly all my regular clients were willing to follow me to the new location.   Here I could accommodate anything up to 20 dogs at one time for training. 

I started writing gundog training articles for the Sporting Gun Magazine in 1996.

My wife Jean starting working for the business full time in the year 2000 and devotes most of her time to the whelping of puppies, boarding and administration. 

This property was not our own and it took the best part of 5 years to find a property where we could construct  new kennels. 

During the late summer of 2004 we moved to Tawnyhill Kennels near Sittingbourne.  Here we accommodate the same number of dogs but in purpose built kennels.

The kennels comprise of one puppy and youngster block, holding 12 kennels - 6ft wide and two kennel blocks with 18 kennels - 4ft wide. There are also 4 separate whelping kennels, dog’s kitchen and storage block.  They are completely enclosed, with a separate sleeping to exercise area for every kennel.   

We now breed puppies (working Cockers, English Springer Spaniels, Labradors and Golden Retrievers) throughout the year depending on demand.  Puppies that are not sold when they are 8 weeks old will be kept on at the kennels and trained and sold as trained or part trained dogs.   The more promising dogs are kept and run in trials prior to selling.  At times of the year we have a waiting list for our puppies.

We have a 6 acre rabbit pen (and a very small pen) available for the “steadying” of the young dogs. The pen is used for training, but is available for the individual to train their own dog in a confined area full of scent.

During the summer of 2007 we applied to Swale Borough Council for our boarding license and can now board breeds other than working dogs.  The dogs are walked every day in a separate 6 acres of cherry orchards. 

Kennel Club Certificates Awarded:

FTCh Bournepark Bobbin (Lemon and White Cocker Dog) - 11th December 1989

FTW Tawnyhill Apache (Liver and White Springer Dog) - 14th January 1991

FTCh Wernffrwd Heini (Black Cocker Dog) - 9th November 1992

FTW Parkbreck Halfpence (Cocker Bitch) - 30th October 1993

FTW Tawnyhill Tease (Liver and White Springer Bitch) - 11th December 1993

FTW Robinsmoor Jenny of Tawnyhill (Liver and White Springer Bitch) - 30th November 1994

FTCh Pixiebarn James (Lemon and White Cocker Dog) - 22nd December 1994

FTW Tawnyhill Fern (Liver and White Springer Bitch) - 25th November 1996

FTW Simcris Melody of Tawnyhill (Liver and White Springer Bitch) - 31st October 1998

FTCh Follybreeze Pip (Black and White Springer Dog) - 8th December 1998

FTW Housty Eternal of Tawnyhill (Liver and White Springer Dog) - 29th January 2000

FTW Tawnyhill Cadbury (Chocolate Cocker Dog) - 22nd January 2002

FTW Ladecourt Quest (Black and White Cocker Dog) - 18th January 2003

 Telephone: 01795 886046
Mobile: 07774 432482
E-Mail tonyprice@tawnyhillgundogs.co.uk
 

Tawnyhill Kennels
Homestall Road
Doddington
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME9 0HF 

DIRECTIONS

From the M25 via the M2

Take junction 6 off the M2 – sign posted A251 to Faversham.

At the “T” Junction turn left on the A2 towards Ospringe and Sittingbourne. 

Go through Ospringe, straight over the roundabout,  take the first left into “Faversham Road”.   

Go under the motorway bridge and take the first right  into “Straight Hill” sign posted to Lynsted.  Go under the motorway again, passed “Norton Road” and Tawnyhill Kennels is the first property on the right hand side (with the red bricked wall). 

From the M25 via the M20 

Take junction 8 off the M20 - sign posted to Leeds Castle. 

Off the roundabout follow signs for the A20 and Lenham. 

Stay on A20 go pass the first sign to Lenham on the right. 

Turn off the A20 by taking a left hand turn into “Faversham Road” signposted to Doddington, stay on this road for nearly 7 miles  (going through Doddington and Newnham). 

Take a left hand turn up “Straight Hill” sign posted to Lynsted, under the motor way, go passed “Norton Road” and Tawnyhill Kennels  is the first property on the right hand side (with the red bricked wall).