Join Giglee, the truffle hunter as he searches for English truffle - the elusive, exclusive and very expensive underground fungus.

This month on Dogs with Jobs, Kate Fairweather goes truffle hunting with Giglee and his owner Tom Lywood.

Giglee is a Lagotta Romagnolo, an ancient breed that originated in Italy's Po Valley. This area was marshland in the sixteenth century, when the breed was used to hunt water fowl. Nowadays, the breed is very much associated with truffle hunting in Italy. It's a treat to meet one, as they are a rarity in the UK.

At one year old, Giglee is not yet a reliable hunter in comparison with Tom's three year old dog, Tobacco. He's easily distracted, but now he's going out hunting with Tom on his own, he's stepping up and starting to perform.

This interview was recorded during a cold snap in late January, with temperatures of -7°C  overnight, which was far from ideal conditions. Will the ground be too frozen to detect and dig truffles?  Find out in this month's Dogs with Jobs.

Browse Dogs with Jobs for other talented working dogs on Petersfield's Shine Radio.

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If you would be interested in coming on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500.  Kate is particularly keen to interview a sniffer dog! 

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© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023