What are Retrieving and Field Trials?
Retrieving Trials are competitions using registered pure bred Gundogs where dogs and handlers are tested for obedience, and natural retrieving and hunting abilities. The trials are held on properties throughout SA and are set in areas that can as close as possible imitate natural hunting situations.
The purpose of a Retrieving trial is to test and determine the dogs natural hunting ability in the field, under natural conditions. Items to be retrieved are cast from a mechanical thrower and dogs must be able to determine the depth of the fall of the ‘game’ and then be able to hunt out the game retrieve it and gently deliver it to the handler. All retrieving trials are held under the rules and regulations of the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council), and are held in all states around Australia.
All dogs entered must be over 6 months of age and trials are conducted by various Gundog Clubs during the year. Clubs publish schedules of events and include information regarding dates of the trial and closing of entries, judges and level of stakes to be included on the day.
Retrieving Trials are conducted at five different levels Beginners, Novice, Restricted, All Age and Championship. There are also Retrieving Ability Tests for Gundogs (RATG) that test the dog's natural retrieving ability. Titles are available based on performance for the different levels of competition Novice Retrieving Dog, Restricted Retrieving Dog, All Age Retrieving Dog and Australian Retrieving Trial Champion or the top dog being National Retrieving Trial Champion. Grand Champions are dogs that have won 10 All Age Retrieving Trials.
All these competitions are run under the ANKC Rules and Regulations and are open to all registered breeds of Gundogs. The RATG tests are open to Associate Gundogs as well as the pure breeds but in all cases the owner/handler must be a member of their State controlling body.
Retrieving Trials are a great way to see our Gundogs in action.
FIELD TRIALS
Field Trials for Gundogs are competitions conducted under real hunting conditions in which dog and handler work as a team in a suitable paddock.
Because different breeds of gundog traditionally work in different ways and are bred specifically for their work, the field trials are subgrouped as follows:
POINTERS AND SETTERS
(English) Pointer, English Setter, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Red & White SetterDogs in this group range widely and point their game. Once the dog is on point, the handler moves to the dog which is then commanded to flush the game which is shot by the handler. The dog then either retrieves the game or relocates it for the handler.
UTILITY GUNDOGS
Bracco Italiano, Brittany, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Hungarian Viszla, Italian Spinone, Lagotto Romagnolo, Large Munsterlander, Weimaraner, Weimananer (Longhaired). These dogs also point their game as above but are required to retrieve from land and water.
SPANIELS AND RETRIEVERS
Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flatcoated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Sussex Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel.
These are the flushing breeds; they are required to hunt close (within range) and flush game for shooting immediately on locating it. The dogs are expected to remain steady (stationary) to flush and shot and must not go to retrieve until directed to do so.
Trials for each sub group take place in many States of Australia and are controlled by the ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Field Trials and the laws of the State in which the trial is held. All competitors must hold gun and game licences and be competent to shoot over their dogs.
(Kind thanks to the Victorian Gundog Club for permission to use this information, Oct 2013)
Retrieving Trials are competitions using registered pure bred Gundogs where dogs and handlers are tested for obedience, and natural retrieving and hunting abilities. The trials are held on properties throughout SA and are set in areas that can as close as possible imitate natural hunting situations.
The purpose of a Retrieving trial is to test and determine the dogs natural hunting ability in the field, under natural conditions. Items to be retrieved are cast from a mechanical thrower and dogs must be able to determine the depth of the fall of the ‘game’ and then be able to hunt out the game retrieve it and gently deliver it to the handler. All retrieving trials are held under the rules and regulations of the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council), and are held in all states around Australia.
All dogs entered must be over 6 months of age and trials are conducted by various Gundog Clubs during the year. Clubs publish schedules of events and include information regarding dates of the trial and closing of entries, judges and level of stakes to be included on the day.
Retrieving Trials are conducted at five different levels Beginners, Novice, Restricted, All Age and Championship. There are also Retrieving Ability Tests for Gundogs (RATG) that test the dog's natural retrieving ability. Titles are available based on performance for the different levels of competition Novice Retrieving Dog, Restricted Retrieving Dog, All Age Retrieving Dog and Australian Retrieving Trial Champion or the top dog being National Retrieving Trial Champion. Grand Champions are dogs that have won 10 All Age Retrieving Trials.
All these competitions are run under the ANKC Rules and Regulations and are open to all registered breeds of Gundogs. The RATG tests are open to Associate Gundogs as well as the pure breeds but in all cases the owner/handler must be a member of their State controlling body.
Retrieving Trials are a great way to see our Gundogs in action.
FIELD TRIALS
Field Trials for Gundogs are competitions conducted under real hunting conditions in which dog and handler work as a team in a suitable paddock.
Because different breeds of gundog traditionally work in different ways and are bred specifically for their work, the field trials are subgrouped as follows:
POINTERS AND SETTERS
(English) Pointer, English Setter, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Red & White SetterDogs in this group range widely and point their game. Once the dog is on point, the handler moves to the dog which is then commanded to flush the game which is shot by the handler. The dog then either retrieves the game or relocates it for the handler.
UTILITY GUNDOGS
Bracco Italiano, Brittany, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Hungarian Viszla, Italian Spinone, Lagotto Romagnolo, Large Munsterlander, Weimaraner, Weimananer (Longhaired). These dogs also point their game as above but are required to retrieve from land and water.
SPANIELS AND RETRIEVERS
Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flatcoated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Sussex Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel.
These are the flushing breeds; they are required to hunt close (within range) and flush game for shooting immediately on locating it. The dogs are expected to remain steady (stationary) to flush and shot and must not go to retrieve until directed to do so.
Trials for each sub group take place in many States of Australia and are controlled by the ANKC Rules for the Conduct of Field Trials and the laws of the State in which the trial is held. All competitors must hold gun and game licences and be competent to shoot over their dogs.
(Kind thanks to the Victorian Gundog Club for permission to use this information, Oct 2013)