John Cowan was born in the Scottish Borders and spent his early years exploring the surrounding countryside and learning about its wildlife, trying to glean as much knowledge as possible from the old countrymen and their working dogs. His first job was under the watchful eye of the famous keeper, Ronnie Rose, at Eskdalemuir, where he learnt about deer stalking, grouse, blackcock, duck and pheasant shooting. Each role required the services of a different breed of working dog. He then took employment at the Duke of Roxburgh's estate near Kelso, learning about grouse and wild partridge management under Jimmy Nairn. John has been a gamekeeper in Scotland for over 40 years, much of it as a head keeper managing pheasant and partridge shooting and roe deer stalking. He and his wife Jan have two children and two grandchildren.