Field Trials and Gundog Working Tests
What are Field Trials and Gundog Working Tests?
Field Trials and Gundog Working Tests were developed to test the working skills of our dogs. Some of the most well know breeds, such as Labradors and spaniels were used to help man to hunt. Field trials and Gundog Working Tests resemble as closely as possible a day’s shooting in the field. The dogs are expected to work with a range of game such as rabbits and pheasants. Field trials and Gundog Working Tests are very popular and attract hundreds of competitors.
What Dogs Can Compete?
If you think that you would like to do this sport you need to have a dog capable of doing this kind of work. He will need to come from working stock, as dogs from show stock tend to loose some of their natural instinct, which is vital. A dog from working stock will need a dedicated owner to develop the dogs full potential. A lot of training will be needed and a dog from working stock will need a considerable amount of exercise off lead. They also need to keep an active mind by working. There are a large amount of different working breeds, which fall into four categories:
1) Retrievers and Irish Water Spaniels
2) Sporting Spaniels other than Irish Water Spaniels
3) Pointers and Setters
4) Breeds which Hunt, Point and Retrieve
Before you decide that this sport is for you, look into it as much as you can. Visiting game and country fairs will help you to find out more, and if you get your dog from working stock, the breeder should be able to help.
To compete you and your dog will have to be physically fit. Your dog will have to be able to work a whole day and you will need to be able to walk across some very rough terrain.
What are Gundog Working Tests (GWTs)?
It will take about two years to get your dog ready for a GWTs. The purpose is to encourage the dog’s natural working ability and to advance sound gundog work. The first competition you will enter will be a GWTs, which is only for the members of the organising club. Only dummies or cold game are used in this test and the competitions are just an extension of the training you will have been doing. There are three different types of tests, which are designed for the different breeds.
1)Spaniels. It is the job of Spaniels to flush game. They are judged on how they cover the ground to find and flush the game. When retrieving shot game they should do it quickly and have a clean deliver to the handler.
2)Retrievers. It is the retrievers job to find game which they are tested on their ability and the quickness and directness of their retrieve.
3)Breeds which Hunt, Point and Retrieve. It is hard to test the pointing ability of these breeds in artificial tests, for the rest of their skills they are judged similarly to spaniels and retrievers.
What Preparation Do I Need?
To do this sport you will need to do a lot of training. A good starting point is the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme and progresses it to a more advance level of training. Once you have mastered obedience you should then join a gundog society. Once you have joint a gundog society they will be able to help you train your dog. They should be able to suggest people that will help you train your dog to a gun on a one to one basis.
What levels are in Field Trials?
Once you have been a member of a gundog society for some time and completed training and GWTs the society will advise you when you are ready for a field trial. The society that is organising the trial will send you an entry form and schedule with the stakes on. This will tell you when and where the trial will take place and what stakes are going to take place. There can be one or more stakes in a trial, which you can enter depending on the age or experience of your dog. The stakes may take form as puppy, novice or open and there will be a first, second, third and fourth place awarded. You may not get to compete in the first trial that you enter, as there is a high demand of people entering. The competitors may be decided by the order in which the entries where received or may be picked at random.
Rules and Regulations and Contacts
Up to date copies of the rules for the UK are available from the Kennel Club as are contact details.
