RETRIEVING TRIAL COMPETITIONS
The purpose of Retrieving Trials for Gundogs is to determine the
relative merits of purebred retrievers in the field. The tests are
designed to simulate as near as possible the conditions for which the dogs
were bred. Since trials are a simulation, no game is actually shot. The
dogs are tested on both land and water on sighted (marks) and unsighted
(blind) retrieves.
The function of a Retriever is to find and retrieve "fallen"
game under all conditions when ordered to do so. He should walk at heel
and sit quietly on command, and when sent, should retrieve briskly and
deliver gently to hand. Dogs are judged for their natural abilities,
including memory, intelligence, attention, nose, courage, perseverance and
style, as well as for the skills acquired through training, including
steadiness, control, responses to direction, and delivery, and the ability
to retrieve under all conditions. Game must not be damaged or retrieved
without having been ordered to do so. A dog, which has all of these
attributes, is of great value to its handler and a credit to its breed.
On a marked retrieve the dog is expected to mark the line and depth of
the fall of the bird. When instructed by the handler take a straight a
line as possible and complete the exercise without instruction from the
handler. For a blind retrieve a bird is hidden from view of the dog,
however the handler knows the placement. On a blind retrieve the dog must
obey their handler by taking a line to the bird, by stopping to the
whistle to take direction to the right or left, back or return. The
handler of the dog is also under judgement and must not touch his dog or
exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct.
A Retrieving Trial is open to all breeds of Gundogs. Trials consist of
four Stakes with graduated degrees of difficulty and eligibility
requirements for the dog. The first level, or Beginners Stake, includes
two runs with marks of 50 to 60 metres, one across water and one on land
over natural obstacles. The Novice Stake has three runs. Each is a mark of
about 80 metres; one on land, one across water, and another in water, with
natural obstacles to test marking ability. The first time that a dog
completes all three retrieves it is eligible for a Qualifying Certificate
(QC). When a dog has won three Novice Stakes it becomes mandatory to
compete at the next level of competition.
The next level is the Restricted Stake, which has runs of about 80
metres but may include up to two birds on each run and may include such
things as 'double rises' and 'walk-ups'. Dogs must always pick up each
bird in the order directed by the judge. When a dog has won three of these
Stakes it is mandatory to compete in All Age. In the All-Age Stake, a dog
must complete three runs with up to three-birds in each run. Distances.
May be up to 150 metres and the runs are more testing and complex than in
the more. A dog is eliminated from competition if it fails to locate the
bird in a reasonable time, or picks up any bird out of order.
The winner of an All Age event receives six championship points and
when it has earned twelve championship points is entitled to be called a
'Retrieving Trial Champion'. A dog may trial for a long time to earn those
elusive first places, and they are well deserved since they must compete
against 'titled' dogs, which can dominate the placing's for years.
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