Field Trial - FDSB / AFTCA Sanctioned Field Trials

FDSB / AFTCA Sanctioned Field Trials

Definitions of field trials differ based on the organizations that sanction them. The above definition for trials in Great Britain, for example, is quite different from, for example, FDSB (Field Dog Stud Book) field trials for pointers, English setters, German shorthaired pointers and Brittanys in the United States. The FDSB is the oldest stud book in the USA. The American Field publishes a weekly newspaper announcing field trials (open and amateur) in the USA, Canada and Japan and reporting the results of previous trials. Stakes in field trials are for puppies, derbies and mature dogs for which there are generally three placements in each stake. There are championships for which dogs must qualify by winning placements in order to compete in them. They generally award a winner and runner-up winner but there are exceptions to this. i.e. The National Championship has only a winner. There are primarily Walking stakes (including grouse and woodcock trials, referred to as 'grouse' or 'cover dog' trials held in areas of the country where those birds are prominent), horseback Shooting Dog and All-Age trials held throughout the country on various species of upland game birds. In many parts of the country, trials are now held on released or liberated game because wild birds no longer exist in those areas. Enormous efforts by conservation groups supported by field trialers have been made to reverse this situation by land management efforts to restore the natural habitat wild upland game birds require.

The Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America (AFTCA) Guidelines to Field Trial Procedure and Judicial Practice Definitions:

All-Age Stake

What is the expected performance of a dog in an All-Age stake?

"The familiar, capsule description of the all-age dog, attributed to old-time trainer Jim Advent, declares that he (or she) is a dedicated hunter of upland game birds which 'runs off — but not quite'. The all-age dog is a free spirit and fills up all the available country (plus a little) in a bold and sometimes reckless manner, yet ultimately acknowledges the control exerted by his handler and course to the front in such a pattern as to maintain periodic, suitable contact with the handler. The real intelligent and accomplished all-age dog exhibits the knack of "showing" at strategic, distant, forward points on the course during the progress of his heat. He may frequently pass from view, only to show again after a lapse of time, or to be discovered by handler or scout pointing game....

All-Age Standard reads as follows: In any given All-Age Stake, it may be very difficult to place a dog which totally meets the exalted standard; therefore, out of necessity, there will frequently be a need to accept a dog whose qualities and character can only begin to approximate the standard. The standard, when applied, should examine the total performance of the dog with range being kept foremost in mind. Range is the “sine qua non” of an all-age dog and it should take precedence over and not be compromised for a short, practical, methodical, unexhilarated, uninspiring performance, no matter how immaculate the bird work of the latter.

Shooting Dog Stake

What is the expected performance of a dog in an Shooting Dog stake?

“A Shooting Dog Stake is held for the purpose of promoting the ideal shooting dog, one that will find and handle correctly all game birds on the designated course. “The superior shooting dog is one that excites constant admiration for the quality of the performance and does nothing to displease or annoy. Without giving his handler any unnecessary effort, he will, in an artistic and polished manner, give him the most quality bird finds that are to be had on the ground covered....

Shooting Dog Standard reads as follows: In any given Shooting Dog Stake, it may be very difficult to place a dog which totally meets the exalted standard. Therefore, out of necessity, there will frequently be a need to accept a dog whose qualities and character can only begin to approximate this standard. The standard when applied should seek out a dog which displays superior bird dog characteristics in the form of natural qualities such as pace, range, bird sense, nose, stamina and style. The contender sought after should render a balanced, biddable performance, search intelligently and exhibit bird finding ability with quality always superseding quantity, manifest accuracy of location, loftiness and intensity on point. Subservience to the handler and proper handling response without the benefit of scouting and excessive handling are the “sine qua non” of a shooting dog. Excessive range on the part of a shooting dog is not considered desirable. When considering bird work, the judges should be swayed not by the frequency of occurrence but rather the quality of the performance.

(For more information, please purchase this booklet from the AFTCA, website listed below)

Exact definitions of field trial dogs and stakes and their interpretation have differed, no doubt, from the beginning of field trial history. There is much subjectivity based on individual understanding, experience and preference brought to the judicial saddle. One aspect of field trials generally agreed upon is the necessity of good, experienced judges of great integrity.

Field Trial Judges Attributes

1. He (or she) should be of strong moral character and integrity, and respected for these qualities in his hometown, business, and field trial community.

2. He should be in good physical condition with the stamina to ride and see all the entries in the stake through to their proper conclusion, and possess keen eyesight to see all the action as it transpires.

3. He should be of even temperament, blessed with common sense, possess an alert, analytically decisive mind, and have sufficient conviction in his abilities to stand up for his decisions.

4. He should be a good horseman (or women) and have full knowledge of the outdoors and an understanding of the behavior of game birds and dogs, and have background of practical bird-hunting experience.

5. He should be familiar with the proper procedure of training and breaking bird dogs and must have successfully run dogs in field trials, and should have “broke” dogs of his own.

6. He should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the AFTCA's Guidelines to Field Trial Procedure and Judicial Practice.

7. He should have experience running both all-age and shooting dogs to better understand the difference between these dogs and the different standards of each of these stakes. This knowledge should be applied when decisions are rendered.

A dog’s field trial wins are recorded with the FDSB and are a permanent part of their record shown on their pedigree. Field trials have always been and continue to be a critical tool for the continued successful breeding of superior bird dogs from which the upland game hunter has benefited.

For more information of FDSB field trials and their history, please visit the websites listed below. The non-profit online field trial publication, Strideaway, has an up-to-date list of books on field trial history, training field trial bird dogs, autobiographies and biographies of famous trainers, handlers and others who have given a lifetime to the sport.

Field Trial Attire

The 2011 season saw a resurgence in popularity of the secondary facet surrounding the field trial events, that a sort of fashion competition between the owner and handlers of the dogs. A very informal scoring system rewards participants on the appropriateness of various clothing, with items such as short, dog themed ties, anachronistic hats, again dog themed, formal outerwear, and outlandish, inappropriate foot ware. One could describe it as a sort of "retro-hipster for the rural woodlands set". The rise in popularity is believed to have begun in the state of Minnesota, championed by one Ben McKean, a lifelong dog enthusiast surging boldly to the height of the sport, while simultaneously reviving the class and style of the sports progenitors.