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The
ability and intelligence of well-bred and well-trained Gundogs is
remarkable. The ACTCA and the ACT Gundog Society conduct competitive
trials in the field for registered Gundogs. These events are designed
to test the various breeds in the type of work for which they were
developed over hundreds of and even thousands of years. They provide
breeders with the opportunity to test the natural working instincts
of their dogs and therefore the chance to select breeding stock
on the basis of appropriate temperament and for preservation of
their invaluable working instincts. These trials provide the opportunity
or owners to experience the pleasure of working closely with their
dogs in a fascinating range of competitive field sports.
Championship titles and minor titles are available based on performance.
Gundog trials are run under ANKC rules. The types of trials are
classified as follows:
Retrieving
Trials:
The dogs are required to retrieve articles of fallen game,
with the retrieves of varying degrees of difficulty according to
the level attained, from Beginners through to national Championship.
These events are conducted in the field under natural conditions
but with simulated game, and while a shotgun is fired there is no
shooting of game. Retrieving trials are open to all registered Gundogs.
Spaniel
and Retriever Field Trials:
These trials are conducted
in the field. Dogs are required to hunt, flush and retrieve. Breeds
eligible to compete are all Spaniels and Retrievers.
Pointer
and Setter Field Trials:
These events are conducted
in the field. The dogs are assessed on their ability to find and
point in particular. These events are open to the Pointer and Setter
breeds only.
Utility
Gundog Field Trials:
These events are for breeds
which are designed to hunt, point and retrieve, which include the
German Shorthaired Pointer, Brittany, Weimaraner and Large Munsterlander.
They are conducted in the field.
Gundog
Working Tests:
These events are rather basic tests of obedience and retrieving.
They are conducted in the field with dummies of simulated game.
Field
Trialling with Pointers and Setters:
Field trialing with the traditional
British pointing dogs, commenced in the late 19th century, and is
as British as the Union Jack.
The dogs used are the pointer,
sometimes called the "English Pointer", the English, Gordon
and Irish Setters.
These dogs are the specialists. Fast,
game finding dogs with a unique history and evolution for the single
purpose of finding game birds. They were bred to perform this function
with such perfection as to bring dog-work to such an art as any
field sport can get.
The traditional British bird dogs
are the stylists created by generations for which style was everything.
Field trialing in Australia with Pointers and Setters is still
a popular pastime with its enthusiasts, though its popularity has
waned somewhat in recent times due to strict state gun laws, game
regulations and access to properties to conduct trials.
The present popular breeds of dogs used for field trials in Australia
are the Pointer and Irish Setter, where prior to World War 2 and
up to the 1950’s the English and Gordon Setters were very much in
vogue, and they still have a small band of enthusiastic followers
to this day.
To
become active in the sport you first of all need a dog.
When purchasing a dog it is wise to contact the ACT Canine
Association who will put you in touch with a recognised breeder.
The dog you choose may be a Pointer, English, Gordon or Irish Setter.
The aim of the dog, is to find game by quartering at high speed
whilst scenting the air, and to find game over the largest area
in the shortest time. Once located the should hold the game by going
into a point and holding the point till the handler arrives. On
the command of the handler the dog should move forward which will
cause the game to rise. It is imperative that the dog is under control
at all times. The handler may choose to have the game retrieved,
or "seek dead", this is when the dog goes into a point
on finding the fallen game.
n a field trial a brace of
two dogs compete against each other, and are judged on the following:-
ranging and quartering, drawing and roading, staunchness, obedience,
action and style, backing, finding, seeking dead or retrieving and
acknowledgment of flushed game.
When you finally decide
on the breed you want, ask the breeder if you may view the pedigree
of the dog, this will tell you not only its sire and dam but also
its breeding lines to see if there is any working stock in the line.
Training of your dog is important and this commences when you first
collect your puppy. Ask the breeder if they can recommend people
within the breed club who assist you with your new puppies training.
For obedience training you may decide to join an obedience club.
For field training there are triallers who will be happy to assist
you with training. When you are ready to trial your dog, contact
the ACT Canine Association or your dog’s breed club to obtain dates
of the next field trial, and then attend a field trial to see the
dogs competing against each other.
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