No they usually run twice so it is 1-11/2 hours normally

the stories ive heard are much more grueling both for dog and owner

If you read this is gives you all the information.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/down...dTrialRegs.pdf

Although I have been to field trials and working tests I have never competed though I do have friend that do.

5) English Springer Spaniels
(a) A dog placed first in the English Springer Spaniel Championship.
(b) A dog which gains two first awards in Open Stakes under two
different Panel A Judges. In the event that the same Panel A Judge
officiates at both Stakes, the dog will be entitled to the title of Field
Trial Champion provided that the co-Judge at one Stake is also a
Panel A Judge. With the exception of the English Springer Spaniel
Championship all Stakes must be limited to a maximum of 18
dogs. In order for the Stakes to qualify there must be no fewer
than 14 runners.
(6) Proviso for all Spaniels
Before a dog is entitled to be described as a Field Trial Champion it
must also have gained a Water Certificate. The Water Certificate may,
but not necessarily, be gained at a special Water Test. The special water
test must have been conducted before two Panel

Yes im aware of the novice - open, then FT process, I just did not know it would be a 1 hour test that determins the standard. From what I gathered it was a knock out process where dogs would run against each other, seperating the winners of each run to be placed against each other to eventually give the award to the best on the final day.
I also didnt know they would never enter into a shoot, from the trainers ive talked to this is a regular once the season is starts... as I say im going to have check to make sure

Thanks for the pdf

I said that SOME never see a shooting field.
Not all people have FT's as their main aim, however that is all some want to do

I've really enjoyed this thread

I'm not going to go into the wheres and whyfores of the various tests thats already been put up but I will give you a bit of what I've done. If you own a breed that is not seen as a gundog breed please don't be put off going to training. ANY dog can and does play fetch so even if they can't do all the training there is no reason not to take them along, just find the right class and if there isn't one start your own just ask a local trainer to come along and help you.

I have attended and entered gundog working tests for FUN although some do take it very seriously primarily they were developed to test and retrain your dog ready for the next shooting season. I do shoot over my dogs for several years thats how I earnt my living working on shoots but the training led me to it not the shooting to the training.

Field Trials are really for the serious competitor as there are limited places available in competitions in HPRs for an example running orders usually run to 6-12 dogs max where as in a Gundog Working Test it can run to as many decide to enter and is not usually restricted by breed. Rescues and non registered can enter Not For Competition means they can run in the class and be graded but they cannot be placed in the awards. So rescues are not excuded.

Obviously an HPR would not enter a Spaniel or Retriever test which vary but the principles are similar for all three. In HPRs very few dogs that are Field Trialled are also worked on a shoot outside of picking up duties because the beating line can potentially spoil a dog.

Training is fabulous. Its fun and it should not be taken too serious, if training isn't enjoyable people won't keep it up, you know a good class when people have been attending for years. I have been to various along the south coast the majority HPRs as thats my breeds but we have other breeds come along and ALL are welcome.

The benefits of gundog training are that you get to learn and to practise training tips that help to create a happy and healthy dog thats nice to live with that you can control not just in the home but outside.

It helps to socialise your dog with other dogs, people, livestock, wildlife etc for an example one of the classes I train in I see longhorn cattle, sussex sheep, deer, the occassional boar if your really lucky, pheasants, ducks and the occassional rambler. In another we have groups of up to 40 dogs all loose and socialising when the occassional deer has jumped the hedge in the middle of them and its a case of grab any dog that happens to be near to you with a few lucky people blowing a whistle and getting a perfect sit! There is always some clever sod... thankfully these days with one of my dogs thats me

All you really need for gundog training is a dog, a whistle (acme 210/211.5 are popular cheap and easy to buy off the net) 2 x 1lb dummies.

Basic commands are the same that your dog would teach your dog so sit, stay, come, fetch, seek/find, left, right and back directions. Leave. All you do is add a whistle to the basic commands so your dog can follow your commands at a distance.

Some dogs never need to go beyond that although hunting, learning to quarter, flush, jumping and swimming are often all part of the training. There is no reason that it should be restricted to gundog breeds and there are places you can go that will let you join in even if you own a cross breed or one that normally would not be used for anything beyond sitting on your lap.

I've seen toy and terrier breeds, a cross bred GSD (who was surprisingly good and went on to join the beating line on a shoot) as well as the usual gundog breeds at classes.

gundog training does not mean that you are going to go out and kill wild animals or game, you might never see anything more live than the person throwing the dummy. You can choose to go on to train for shoots which if you own a gundog breed is fabulous the more working the better but doing the training you are still encouraging your dog to do as it should as part of its breed naturally.

Mine for an example has in the standard 'hunting of paramount importance' so any field training is a good idea.

The best thing is it mentally and physically stimulates your dog and builds a great bond between you. Anything that does that has got to be worth having a go.

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These are my own personal views and opinions they do not represent the WCGB.