What is a Retrieving Trial?

A Retrieving Trial is an event at which competitions for the working of registered Gundogs are conducted, both on land and in or through water, to determine their relative merits in the field under conditions that simulate, as closely as possible, those that may be found while hunting, but at the same time bringing the work of each dog within an ambit of equality where assessments can be fairly made. In other words, Retrieving Trials are designed to promote and evaluate the style of work that a gundog may encounter during a typical day out duck hunting.

In Australia, the term Field Trial is reserved for a group of events conducted separately for Spaniels and Retrievers, Pointers and Setters and the Utility Breeds of Gundogs. These events are conducted during local game seasons under typical up-land hunting conditions with an emphasis on game finding ability, pointing and flushing, as the case maybe, steadiness to shot and the handler is expected to shoot all game found by his or her dog.

Retrieving Trials in Australia Today

All competitors in Australian Retrieving Trials are amateurs as there are no professional handlers, trainers or judges and trophies, sashes, honour and glory are the only rewards. Most owner/handlers compete with only one dog. A few have two dogs and it is almost unprecedented to see a handler competing with three dogs, especially at All Age and/or Championship level. Clubs holding events must be affiliated with their State Controlling Body and it in turn must be affiliated with the ANKC. Annually each State is permitted to conduct one State Retrieving Trial Championship and on a rotating basis the selected State hosts the Australian National Retrieving Trial Championship. The winner of an All Age Stake is awarded 6 championship points and the winner of a State or National Championship is awarded 12 points, while the 2nd placed dog in a Championship receives 6 points. To be awarded the title of Retrieving Trial Champion (RT Ch) a dog must earn a total of 12 points. Most events are adjudicated by a single judge. The National and most State Championships make use of two judges, who may either independently judge alternate Runs (or Series) or may choose to co-judge one or more Runs (or series) . For example in a seven Run (Series) State Championship, Judge A may choose to adjudicate Runs 1, 3 & 5 while Judge B officiates on Runs 2, 4 & 6 and they both co-judge Run 7 (the last series).

In Australia there are generally four levels of competition.

A Novice Stake is a stake confined to Gundogs that have not won any other stake other than two Novice Stakes. A typical Novice Stake involves three separate single marked retrieves, with a land mark, and in-water mark and an across-water mark retrieve.

A Restricted Stake is a stake confined to Gundogs that have not won three Restricted Stakes or an All Age Stake or have been place first or second in a Championship Stake. At this level of competition multiple retrieves are introduced which are usually designed to test a dogs understanding of basic concepts as a precursor to the more advanced work required at All Age and Championship levels.

An All Age Stake is a stake confined to Gundogs that have won a Novice Stake or have placed first, second or third in a Restricted Stake. A "blind" retrieve must be included. A typical All Age Stake involves three Runs (Series) each requiring three items of game to be recovered. The differing scenarios may include, but not be limited to, combinations of the following:

A Single Mark Retrieve shall be a retrieve where only one object of game is cast and is to be retrieved.

A Walk-up Retrieve is one where the dog is walking at heel; the game is cast at which the handler "shoots". Immediately the handler pauses to "shoot" the dog shall sit, drop or remain steady until ordered by the handler to retrieve.

Wounded Game Retrieve which maybe either a bird or rabbit. When a bird is used it is cast as in a single mark retrieve, but the game is attached to a line which is then used to drag it a distance of at least 20 metres (25yds). The bird is then picked up and a fresh bird is left in its stead.

A Blind Find Retrieve is a retrieve where a dog is placed in such position that the flight, fall or placement of the game cannot be seen. The Judge may direct that the dog be placed in a hide, ideally made from natural materials, and in close proximity to the Firing Point (Line).

A Double Mark Retrieve shall consist of two marked retrieves that may include both land and water.

A Double Blind Retrieve The game will be located as in a double mark, with the both items of game being placed so that the dog cannot sight them.

A Double Rise Retrieve shall consist of a retrieve where one object of game is cast and two shots are fired (by the handler) in quick succession at or near the apex of the cast. While the dog is returning with the first object of game, a second object of game is cast or placed within 10 metres of the original fall, but at a distance greater from the Firing Point. This second object of game is to be retrieved immediately following the delivery to hand of the first object of game. In other words, the dog must return to the old fall and resume its hunt for the second item of game.

A Two-Bird Retrieve (A Bulldog Retrieve). The first item of game is cast from concealed cover and one shot is fired. While the dog is returning with this item of game, a second item of game is cast and a shot is fired, so that the dog may see or hear the fall of this game. The second item of game should fall at least 20 metres from the first item of game and at a distance greater than 40 metres from the Firing Point.

A Double Fall Retrieve The first item of game is cast from concealed cover and one shot is fired and the dog is sent to complete the retrieve. While the dog is on its way out a second item of game is cast and a shot is fired, so that the dog may see or hear the fall of this game. The first item of game must be retrieved before the second. The second item of game shall be cast to land not less than 20 metres from the line to the first and not more than 40 metres from the Firing Point.

A Mark and Blind Retrieve; a Triple Mark; a Triple Retrieve with two blinds and one mark; a Triple Retrieve with two marks and one blind are some of the typical combinations.

A Championship Stake is a stake confined to Gundogs that have been placed first in a Restricted Stake or first, second or third in an All Age Stake. A Championship Stake shall consist of no less than four retrieves (series), with at least 9 items of game to be retrieved. At least two blinds shall be included and the dogs must be tested for steadiness from a hide on at least one occasion.

A National Championship Retrieving Trial shall consist of at least seven retrieves (or series) with at least 15 items of game to be recovered. At least two blinds shall be included. A retrieve containing a blind leg is not acceptable unless the dog is tested for steadiness from behind a hide.

National Championships

The first National Championship was held in 1969. Of the 33 events conducted so far and taking into account First, Second and Third Places the sample size becomes 99 dogs, of these one has been a Golden Retriever, six have been German Shorthaired Pointers (GSP) and the balance have been Labrador Retrievers.

In Australia there are approximately 300 dogs competing in Retrieving trials with all the Gundog breeds eligible to participate. The majority of dogs in competition are Labrador Retrievers, but a healthy number of Golden Retrievers are also campaigned, as well as German Shorthaired pointers. In the minority are Flatcoats, Brittany Spaniel, Tollers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Viszla, Curly Coat Retriever, Weimaraner, English Springer Spaniel, Cockers, and Wirehaired Vizsla and Pointers.

In Western Australia in 2010, we have 12 Golden Retrievers, 18 Labrador Retrievers, 3 N.S.D.T. Retrievers, 2 Flatcoat Retrievers, 1 Brittany Spaniel, and one German Shorthaired Pointer competing across the three levels of retrieving stakes. There are training days provided by clubs during the year for new handlers and dogs, where encouragement and advice is provided by several experienced handlers, and, a chance given for people to find out firsthand whether their dog has a strong retrieving instinct. Most dogs, regardless of the breed, thrive on the thrill of the retrieve and learn very quickly how to cope with rough terrain, flowing water, and deep cover, all for the sake of doing what comes naturally to them and the purpose of their being bred in the first place. The absolute joy on the face of a working retriever in the field, means more to those who participate in the sport than anything else, and combined with fresh country air, having fun with your dog, good companionship and exemplary sportsmanship, why wouldn't you do it ?

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