If Pointer or Setter breeds interest you, learn about these special events called field trials that have shaped both the appearance and the behavior of the breeds that participate in them:

Brittany
Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
English Setter
Gordon Setter
Irish Setter
Spinone Italiano
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

The first canine field trial held in America was for the Pointing Breeds in 1884, 8 years after the first British field trial. Dr. Nicholas Rowe bought a publication called the Chicago Field in 1876 and changed its name 5 years later to American Field, making it today the oldest continuous sporting journal in America. Under this name, field trials for Setters and Pointers became popular, and the first recorded American Kennel Club Pointing Breed field trial was held in 1924.

Today there are field trials offered by a variety of organizations, and rules vary from one to another. We’ll discuss AKC rules here, but keep in mind that as in any sport, the rules change from time to time. Before entering a particular field event, familiarize yourself with the exact rules for that event so you can train accordingly with your dog.

Competition

The goal in a field trial is the title of Field Champion. Unlike some other titles in dog events, this title is won, not only by qualifying in the event, but by defeating certain numbers of other dogs under specific conditions. The more dogs defeated, the more points awarded for that win. The requirement may be met by winning 10 points in at least three recognized field trials, with at least 3 of those points won in an Open All-Age, Open Gun Dog, Open Limited All-Age or Open Limited Gun Stake worth (because of the number of dogs entered) 3 points or more. No more than 4 of the 10 points can come from Amateur Stakes wins and no more than 2 points each from Open or Amateur Puppy or Derby Stakes.

In addition to the other requirements, the breed club for Brittanys requires that Brittanys must have a 3-point win from one of the four top levels in a Brittany club field trial. Four of the breed clubs consider retrieving essential, and therefore require their Field Champions to also win at least 4 points in Retrieving Stakes. These breeds are the German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Vizsla and Weimaraner. The clubs for German Wirehaired Pointer and Weimaraner place yet another requirement on Field Champions in their breeds, that of passing a Water Test.

Some of the Pointing Breeds can also earn a Field Champion designation by winning the annual field trial held by their national breed clubs. A dog must qualify to enter the event in the first place on the basis of other field trial wins, and the points won at the national breed club event also count toward a regular Field Championship.

A Dual Champion is a dog who has both Field Champion and conformation Champion titles. A Triple Champion adds the Obedience Trial Champion title.

Pointing dogs run in braces, so two dogs work in the field at the same time. When one dog locates and points a bird, the other dog is required to honor that point, which means to stop quickly and not interfere with the other dog’s work. Which dogs will be paired in each brace is determined by drawing. This simulates the situation hunters want, dogs who can work smoothly with other dogs they have just met on a hunting trip.

Both professionals and amateurs can compete in field trials. Entering the stakes that are only for amateurs requires that the handler not have been paid in any form for training a hunting dog or handling a dog in a field trial for a specified period of time preceding the event. Qualifying to enter an amateur event also has certain requirements as to your relationship with any professional trainer and the number of dogs you can enter at an event that do not belong to your immediate family.

Field trials have regular stakes the trial-giving club can offer, each of which gives opportunities for dogs to earn points:

Puppy Stake (Open and/or Amateur Walking): Dogs must be between 6 and 15 months old, and the Amateur Walking Puppy stakes do not allow handlers to work from horseback. Puppies are judged on boldness, desire to hunt, covering ground and searching cover. Showing reasonable obedience to their handlers, they’re judged on their potential for becoming high class bird dogs.

Derby Stake (Open and/or Amateur Walking): Dogs 6 months old and under 2 years of age. No horseback handling in Amateur Walking Derby Stakes. Derbies must show stronger hunting qualities than puppies, find game, point, and a shot must be fired if within range.

Gun Dog Stake (Open and/or Amateur): Dogs 6 months and older. A finished performance and handler control at all times. Must handle kindly. Must hunt at all times in range for a handler on foot. Must locate game, point and remain steady to wing and shot. Must demonstrate intelligent use of the wind and terrain, an accurate nose, and style.

All-Age Stake (Open and/or Amateur): Dogs 6 months and older. A finished performance and reasonable handler control. Purposeful intensity with great speed.

Limited Gun Dog Stake (Open and/or Amateur): Dogs 6 months or older who have placed 1st through 4th in any Gun Dog Stake. Judging similar to Gun Dog Stakes.

Limited All-Age Stake (Open and/or Amateur): Dogs 6 months or older who have placed 1st through 4th and any All-Age Stake. Judging similar to All-Age Stakes.

Clubs can give an Amateur Limited Gun Dog Stake and/or an Amateur Limited All-Age Stake that requires the qualifying placements to have been earned in Amateur competition only, if the club advertises this requirement in advance.

How it Works

Dogs are barred from competition if they have twice been reported officially for attacking another dog at a field trial. Any person who strikes or otherwise mistreats a dog is expelled from the stake and reported for misconduct.

Each stake is judged by at least two judges, and if the dogs separate with both still on course and under judgment, one judge follows each dog and handler. People at the field trial to observe make up the gallery, and the Field Trial Marshals regulate and control the gallery as well as assisting the judges.

Rules specify the number and types of birds used for each brace of dogs in each type of stake. The course layouts that can be used for each stake are specified, all courses to contain appropriate acreage, bird cover and objectives for the dogs in competition.

Handlers and dogs must remain ready in order to be present at the start within 5 minutes of being called by the Judges, even if the brace ahead of them is unexpectedly absent resulting in their time being moved up.

The premium list issued in advance of the trial specifies whether or not handlers will be allowed to work their dogs from horseback in any of the stakes, and if so, which stakes. The club is to have horses available. Even when horses are allowed, handlers can elect to walk instead of riding. The handler dismounts to handle the dog and to fire the gun.

Rules cover safe use of the gun, since shooting is part of evaluating the performance of a hunting dog. Electronic training collars, though widely used in training, are not allowed on dogs during field trials. Judges and clubs can approve the use of electronic tracking collars.

Putting It All Together

The Pointing Breed field trial dog works from a combination of carefully bred instincts and training. The practical skills proven through competition enable a dog to aid the hunter in finding game birds, flushing them for the shot, and retrieving each bird in good condition for the table.

Training together with the dog is for some hunters a means to more satisfying hunting experiences. To others, hunting is a good excuse for training with the dog! Starting with puppyhood “happy-time” outings to the field, the dog learns to love these times with the handler.

Field trial dogs are true canine athletes who must be in top condition for winning performances. Handlers will be much more likely to get their dogs to top placements if they’re in good physical shape, too. Field trailing is great exercise, as well as being powerful motivation to get in shape.

If you are considering a dog from field trial bloodlines, be prepared for the dog’s tremendous energy. Many people find themselves getting into the sport of field trials because their dog was born to it. Each dog is individually trained, of course, but the instincts of the Pointing Breed Field Champion are inherited. Join the gallery for some of the hundreds of field trials held every year for Pointing Breeds, and see firsthand if this exciting sport is one for you.