Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks

Working Dogs (Europa 2008) - 5 February 2008

2008 is the centenary of the first Police dogs being deployed in the UK. The Europa theme is "the letter" and the 1st class stamp features an Assistance Dog carrying a letter, one of the many tasks these dogs are trained for. Also featured through specially commissioned photography by Tim Flach is a Mountain Rescue dog, Police dog, a Customs or sniffer dog, a Sheep dog and a Guide dog.

Set of 6 new british stamps showing Assistance dog, Mountain Rescue dog, Police dog, Customs sniffer dog, 
a Sheep dog and a Guide dog - Labrador, German Shepherd, Springer Spaniel, Border Collie, Yellow Labrador.
Let me know
when this
page changes


it's private
powered by
ChangeDetection

Set of 6 stamps:
1st class - Assistance Dog;
46p - Mountain Rescue dog;
48p - Police Dog.

54p - Customs (sniffer) dog;
69p - Sheepdog;
78p Guide Dog.

Brief descriptions - dog by dog

1st Class - Assistance Dog
Throughout the UK, there are many charities shrewdly using dogs to help disabled people to lead fuller, more independent lives. These include people suffering from epilepsy, deafness or mobility problems, who rely on specially trained dogs to raise the alarm or help with a range of everyday tasks, from opening and closing doors, switching on lights, retrieving slippers or keys, helping someone dress and undress - even taking the laundry out of the washing machine. The dog shown on the stamp is a Labrador called Rowan.
- Skills: composure, initiative, quick-wittedness, dependability.
- Typical breeds: Golden Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds.

46p - Mountain Rescue Dog
The Search and Rescue Dogs Association was set up by Scots mountaineer Hamish McInnes in the 1960s. It trains dogs to 'air scent' - picking up a human scent blown towards them by the wind or air currents, a technique which has proved highly effective in pin-pointing lost or injured unfortunates. The dog shown on the stamp is a Cross-Bred called Merrick.
- Skills: hardiness, warm coat, good with heights, keen sense of smell and hearing.
- Typical breeds: German Shepherds, Border Collies, Golden and Labrador Retrievers.
- Tasks: picking up scents, leading a search party, mountain climbing.

48p - Police Dog
The first British police dogs didn't cut the mustard. A pair of Bloodhounds conscripted to track down the notorious Jack the Ripper in 1888 they bolted, after one of them bit the Metropolitan Commissioner. But today several hundred highly trained animals provide valuable canine back-up to police forces up and down the country, helping to apprehend criminals, uncover evidence, keep unruly crowds under control, as well as sniffing out explosives and drugs. The dog shown on the stamp is a German Shepherd called Max.
- Skills: Strength, speed, agility, bravery, sense of smell, coolness under pressure, unswerving loyalty.
- Typical breeds: The German Shepherd, Labrador and Springer Spaniel have replaced the original Airedale Terrier.
- Tasks: Guarding, tracking, chasing, sniffing, arresting, community liaison work.

54p - Customs Dog
It takes around three months of intensive 'hide and seek'-based training until a customs dog has the nose and expertise to uncover anything from hidden contraband and banknotes to illegal immigrants. Reporting for duty at our ports and airports, these determined animals are a boon to national security, ably inspecting passengers, cars, freight vehicles, aircraft, shipping and any other nooks and crannies that arouse the suspicions of their handlers. The dog shown on the stamp is a Springer Spaniel called Max.
- Skills: drive, determination, hunting instincts, a hyper-sensitive nose.
- Typical breeds: Labrador, Springer Spaniel, Border Collie and some cross-breeds.
- Tasks: seeking and finding, rooting in tight spaces, thwarting smugglers.

69p - Sheepdog
The sheepdog has become synonymous with the familiar black-and-white Border Collie, popularised by the long-gone TV programme One Man and his Dog. With a fierce intelligence and steely glint in their eye perfect for intimidating their ovine charges, working border collies can be directed by voice and whistle at long distances. And they're capable of herding more than sheep... they'll happily take on cattle, poultry, deer and even the odd ostrich.
- Skills: obedience, good with sheep and livestock, outdoorsy, won't take 'no' for an answer.
- Typical breeds: Border Collie, though the Kelpie is favoured in Australia. The dog shown on the stamp is a Border Collie called Bob.

78p - Guide Dogs
Dogs have led the blind since Roman times, though the modern guide dog programme was introduced in Germany for veterans who lost their sight during WWI. The system relies on close partnership between dog and owner, in which both parties are carefully matched and rigorously trained. There are some 4,700 guide dogs in the UK, provided by Guide Dogs for the Blind for a nominal 50p. The dog shown on the stamp is a Yellow Labrador called Warwick.
- Skills: obedience, patience, awareness, docility, friendliness.
- Typical breeds: Golden Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds.
- Tasks: way-finding, road crossing, avoiding obstacles.


Technical details:

Designed by Redpath using photography by Tim Flach, the stamps are printed in litho by Cartor Security Printing. The stamps are 35mm x 37mm . All images are by kind permission of Royal Mail, Copyright 2007/8. This website is copyright Norvic Philatelics 2008.


Products available: Presentation pack for Working Dogs on stamps issued 5 February 2008

Mint or vfu
Presentation Pack (see right)
Set of 6 Stamp Cards unused
First day cover (see below)

  Royal Mail FDC 
for Working Dogs on stamps issued 5 February 2008


Special Postmarks
Postmarks available for the day of issue are shown here, these may not be to scale. These postmarks cannot be obtained after the date of issue.

Official Bureau first day of issue postmark for working dogs stamp issue 
5 February 2008. Official Hound Green, Basingstoke, first day of issue postmark for working 
dogs stamp issue 5 February 2008. Official Hound Green first day of issue non-pictorial postmark for working 
dogs stamp issue 5 February 2008. postmark showing pawprint. postmark showing cartoon 'detective dog'.
Ref FD803
Philatelic Bureau Official Postmark illustrated with Dog's pawprint
Ref FD804
Hound Green, Basingstoke, official postmark illustrated with bone
Ref FD804NP
Hound Green Official non-pictorial Postmark
Ref L10835
100 Years of Police Dogs in Britain, New Scotland Yard, London SW1
Ref L10836
Working Dogs, Barking (Essex)
postmark showing head of dog. postmark showing Badge of the International Sheep Dog Society. postmark showing Guide dog leading walker. postmark showing sea shell. postmark showing phil-stamp eating ice cream cone.
Ref L10837
Working Dogs, Dog Lane, London NW10
Ref L10838
International Sheep Dog Society, Bedford
Ref L10839
Guide Dogs, Reading
Ref L10840
Dogs for the Disabled, Banbury
Ref L10841
Working Dogs, Newfoundland, Bridport
postmark showing unidentfied dog. postmark showing St Bernard. postmark showing German Shepherd dog. postmark showing Airedale Terrier. postmark showing Collie Sheepdog.
Ref L10842
Saluting Working Dogs - thrive - London N2
Ref M10847
St Bernard's Rd, Solihull
Ref N10848
Police Dog, Spennymoor, County Durham
Ref N10849
First Working Dogs, Hull Docks [*]
Ref N10851
Sheep Dog, Kendal (Cumbria)
postmark showing Collie Sheepdog. <<<<
Ref W10853
Mountain Rescue Dog, Denbigh

Other Location notes
N10849 - Hull Dock Police - read the story here


If you wish to be told when this page is updated, please use the ChangeDetection box at the top of this page.

This page updated 16 March 2008

2007
2008 stamp issues
Visit our online shop!
January
8
Ian Fleming's James Bond
15 Definitive LOVE booklet
15 New Smilers stamps
February
5
Working Dogs
28 Kings and Queens I
28 Greetings retail booklet
March
11
Celebrating Northern Ireland MS and Glorious Northern Ireland Smiler Sheet
13 Mayday - Rescue at Sea
April
1
Rate change Machin & Country stamps
1 Territorial Army commemorative sheet
15 Endangered Species - Insects
May
13
Cathedrals
13 Retail booklet - summer
June
10
Classic Films
July
17
Air Displays, powered flight
24 Olympics commemorative sheet
August
5
Beijing Expo 2008 Smilers Sheet
22 Olympics handover Joint issue
September
18 British Military Uniforms (II - Royal Air Force)
29 50th Anniv. regional stamps MS
29 Glorious UK Smilers sheet
October
14
Women of Distinction
28 Smilers for Kids
November
4
Christmas (Pantomime)
6 Lest We Forget
tba 60th Birthday of HRH Prince Wales

2009 programme

HOME

Site Map

Norvic Philatelics, PO Box 119, Dereham, NR20 3YN, GB. -- UK Phone: 08450 090939 -- Skype:ian.billings-norvic