Hunter's Heart Brittanys - The Field Trial

Just as it is important to show your dog to prove its conformation to the breed standard, it is also important to prove that your Brittany is a good hunter. This recognition by a CKC or other recognized kennel club is something tangible that people who buy your puppies can use as a guide.

Objectives

A field trial is a test of your dogs hunting ability and your ability as a handler/trainer.

Criteria
a) Ground Work

i) intelligent search
ii) appropriate range
iii) pace

b) Bird Work

i) accurate and quick location and relocation
ii) pointing
iii) style and intensity

c) Training and Manners

i) hunting to the course
ii) responding to the handler
iii) steadiness to wing and shot
iv) retrieving (where required)
v) backing

Rules

Dogs are judged in braces of two, usually from horseback. With minimal handling, a dog has to cover territory effectively and efficiently, locating as many birds as possible in the time allowed.

A dog and handler must demonstrate more skill as they progress in the levels. For example, in puppy, the dog is expected to show a keen interest in hunting, cover ground effectively but is not expected to hold point or back for another dog. At the derby level, a dog is expected to demonstrate good hunting ability and hold point when they have found a bird. At the open field dog level, a dog is expected to demonstrate precision in all skills and back up or honor another dogs point.

Scoring is more like a conformation show as the number of points is dictated by the number of dogs beaten in competition. Unlike conformation and more like obedience there is a list of required activities that a dog and handler will be judged and it is that score that places the winners.

Titles

AFTCh. Amateur Field Trial Champion. Championship earned with a novice handler.

FTCh. Field Trial Champion.

How To Train Your Dog For a Field Trial

Although some field trials are directed at the walking hunter, most are not. So range, ability to direct your dog at a distance, handling your dog on horseback and your dogs ability to execute a whoa are the skills that need to be worked on.

While teaching your dog the basic skills of sit, stay and come you might want to include whoa. There are many ways to teach this skill but consider starting it as a standing stay. A good training aid is a whoa board, which is a floor mat or piece of plywood big enough for them to stand on. A whoa board helps reinforce that your dog is not to move off that board during a whoa for any reason.

Also, it is important that you handle your dog on horseback before competing. This practice is essential to your dog so they know where you are and are able to be handled from the back of a horse.

Stakes

Championship Stakes
a) National Championship with Bird
b) Regional Championship with Bird
c) Provincial Championship with Bird

Stakes
a) National

National Open All-Age
National Amateur All-Age
National Shooting Dog
National Amateur Shooting Dog

b) Regional or Provincial with Bird

Woodcock Amateur and Open
Pheasant Amateur and Open
Ruff Grouse Amateur and Open
Blue Grouse Amateur and Open
Quail Amateur and Open
Chicken (Sharptail Grouse) Amateur and Open

Additional Resources

Field Trial Rules and Regulations for pointing breeds, 1998, CKC