Box clever

For the next step of the USV’s evolution, we visit the masters of the dog box – and much more besides – Lintran

Security and practicality are key issues for any shooter. We all want our guns and gun handling to be safe. We want our valuable dogs to be secure. But we want to use the tools of our trade, and ease of use is crucial. Then there’s the mess issue – working dogs are rarely, if ever, clean, and by the time you mix in muddy shooters’ boots and shot game, the need for something hygienic and easily cleaned is clear. Finally, it has to be tough and durable enough to deal with the harshest of conditions and the hardest of work.

We always intended to fit the Ultimate Shooting Vehicle with some form of dog box and secure storage but the exact format has been niggling at us for some time.

So that’s why we engaged the services of Lintran. Frank and Isobel Hopkins’ family-run firm has over a quarter of a century of experience in this area, and has created some of the most elegant and practical solutions on the market. Its award-winning boxes are patented and design copyright protected and cater for every imaginable requirement.

The range of products on offer from Lintran is vast – there really is something to fit every taste and pocket, from luxury wood-finished options that sit perfectly in the back of a top-of-the-range SUV to more basic box designs to fit a traditional family car. There is a part-exchange and refurbishment service available, too, if you want to upgrade or refresh your dog box.

Professional dog handlers – be it in the gundog arena or the emergency services – can choose from a number of applications for commercial vehicles and even transport trailers. There are heat-control options with built-in fans and thermostats to ensure your animals don’t overheat in warmer weather, too.

Perhaps best of all is Lintran’s ability to custom make to your own specification and requirements – so if you have something a bit different in mind, or require something tailored to your needs, Lintran can help. These are people who know dogs, and know shooting.

The company’s impressive premises near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire showcases their products as well as their kennel and run systems. If you require dog training accessories or country clothing, lamping kit or tactical equipment, it’s all available.

Frank has already fitted his Great Wall Steed with a double dog box and full width draws. This provides space and security for his canine companions and loads of storage for guns and dog training gear.

For our application we discussed the need for a carcass tray and stalking gear and decided that maybe a half-width dog carrier teamed with full-width storage and security might be the way to go to give greater all-round flexibility for our Ultimate Shooting Vehicle.

Frank is a rifle shooter as well as a shotgun shooter and was soon firing ideas at us as we measured up and discussed the options for such things as a carcass drag sled and winch system to facilitate getting deer in the back as easily as possible.

We will save the final reveal for a future issue, but suffice it to say we are very excited!

Tune in next month to find out what’s next on the agenda – and if you haven’t already, get entering… there’s not long left! All you have to do is answer the question on the page opposite and text the correct answer to the number provided. It couldn’t be simpler and the more times you enter, the more chance you have of winning. Good luck!

If you wish to find out more about any Lintran products either visit the website at www.lintran.co.uk or give Frank and the team a call on 01673 885959