Field Trials & Hunting Tests

become very confusing for the novice as to what a hunt test actually is, and how do they differ from field trials? Unfortunately when hunting tests were first developed, many of the participants and outdoor writers writing about them tried to prove there value by comparing their sport to retriever field trials in a derogatory manner. They even went as far as saying the mechanical field trial dog probably couldn't pass a hunting test. Fortunately this has been proven wrong as there are dogs that hold titles from both sports. The hunting test has matured into a very valuable, retriever sport in its own league and not at the expense of Retriever field trials.

So then, what is the difference, and what is in it for you, the average hunter? Retriever field trials are so misunderstood that I get customers who phone and say, "I don't want a dog that's out of field trial lines, I just want a good ole huntin' dog."Retriever field trials began on the estates of gentleman. Some of these early enthusiasts imported lines of dogs from England, and Scotland and had professional trainers handle the dogs. Only later did the actual owners begin handling the dogs in trials, and thus came the first Amateur stakes and Amateur field champions. The first trials were very rudimentary and probably simpler than a senior level hunting test.

As the skills of the trainers progressed, and the abilities of the dogs increased, through selective breeding and training, the field trial tests became more and more complex. The tests are designed to test the maximum abilities of the handlers and dogs and do not necessarily resemble an actual hunting situation. Usually the retrievers work at greater distances than are encountered in a hunting situation. In a blind retrieve test, the dogs must take direction with great precision, not normally required by a hunting dog. Because of these longer distances, the handlers wear white coats so the dogs can see them, when they are giving hand signals. The biggest difference between hunting tests and field trials is that a field trial is a competition with winners and losers. A hunt test is a pass or fail situation. Because of the precision and difficulty of field trial tests, few retrievers are intelligent or talented enough to successfully participate. Field Champions are like pro ball players. Not everyone can make the team. They are some of the most trainable, talented, athletes of the dog world. They are winners.

Many layman compare hunting a dog from field trial blood to going for a Sunday afternoon ride, on a race horse! There are some field trial breeders that have concentrated only on winning with little or no consideration for temperament, or the physical appearance of their dogs. Some people consider the dogs hyper and snippy in the nose. This generalization is inaccurate. There are many wonderful Field Champions that are physically, typical representatives of their breed with excellent temperaments. My very best hunting dog and personal pet was also a field champion. Most of the better, and more trainable retrievers used for hunting or hunting tests, come from field trial bloodlines. It makes sense that these high caliber working retrievers would produce the most trainable, birdie and intelligent offspring. A hunter should be trying to buy a retriever pup that has numerous field champions and dogs with hunt test titles in its pedigree. Most of the best, fully trained hunting retrievers we sell, are dogs that were started for field trials or hunt tests, and didn't quite make the grade for one reason or another. They make excellent hunting dogs.