When many think of pointing dog field trials, the image of horses and pointers running big enough to cover multiple counties comes to mind. Let’s just say something about trialing happened to really pique your interest. Odds are you entered a black hole, and what information you can find is so laden with jargon; it might as well be written in a combination of Mandarin and hieroglyphics. If you happen to be fluent enough in this language, and you find a trial to attend, many times it can be intimidating, as everyone pulls in with large trucks and horse trailers.

Sounds fun, right? Why in the world would any average hunter want to get into this game? Well, for me, I have an “all consumed” personality, and when my mind gets set on something, I go into it, full steam ahead. When a new little pointer came home with me, and then started to develop, I wanted to give this game a go! I happened to follow a guy on Instagram who was involved in cover dog trials, where dogs are run on wild grouse and woodcock. It’s a walking trial, so the barrier to enter is very low, and easy for newcomers and spectators to follow along. While my pup was only a few weeks old, I decided to go watch a spring trial. The picture in my head didn’t match reality. Not one horse trailer, and most of the folks weren’t professionals with giant rigs, but rather everyday hunters like me.

After watching a few trials, I was hooked! I planned on running my young pointer, Amos, the following fall at eight months old in a “derby,” which is an event for young dogs. Thankfully my internet friend, Kyle, helped me go through the entry process without a hiccup. Then came the day of the trial.

Attending My First Field Trial

The trial was hosted by the Moose River Grouse Dog Club in Wisconsin, which happens to be in an area completely void of cell phone coverage. This ramped up the anxiety from the start, as I was not only afraid of handling around a course without an e-collar, and losing him, but now wondering how I would even be able to contact somebody if I somehow didn’t end up at the right place. The 30-minute course snaked through prime cover, with a few hairpin turns, and many cover transitions. The goal of a derby dog is essentially to stay out front, hunt likely cover, and find birds. Finding birds isn’t a prerequisite for doing well in a derby stake, but it helps. The judges are looking for a dog that shows potential of being a good shooting dog, which is a finished dog stake after they age out of the derby.

I was shocked as we were over halfway through the course, and he hadn’t gotten lost. Then his bell fell silent out to my front. I walked up, finding him on point facing a blow-down, when a grouse rocketed skyward. The blank pistol echoed through the woods, and we continued.

Upon finishing, I shook the judge’s hands and thanked Kyle for all the help. My plan was to finish out that Sunday with a little grouse hunting before heading home. Confusion flashed over Kyle’s face, as he said “Well... you probably should stick around for the announcements.” I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would get Amos around the course, much less potentially place. We walked away from the weekend with a 3rd place finish, helping pour gas on the fire behind the passion that is field trialing.

How Pointing Dog Field Trials Are Run

If you’re unfamiliar with pointing dog field trials, here’s the 30,000-foot view. Many of these trials fall under the jurisdiction of the UKC’s official program, American Field. Each trial is run on a predetermined course, or set of courses, that are set up to last a certain amount of time. They are run on wild or liberated birds, depending on the club. Dogs are run in what is called a “brace”, which means two dogs run at a time. These braces are randomly dawn before the trial begins. At a high level, there are three stakes—or divisions—you can enter. The puppy stake, which is open for dogs younger than 15 months, and are often run for 30 minutes. The derby stake is for dogs under 2 to 2.5 years old, and generally ran for 30 minutes. For the puppy and derby stakes, judgement ceases at the flush, meaning the dogs aren’t required to be steady.

The next stakes are shooting dog, and all-age. Both are broke dog stakes, meaning the dogs must be steady to wing and shot, and back another dog if the opportunity arises. The differentiator between the two is how the dog runs. A true all-age dog must have a forward race that is pushing the limit of nearly being lost, but staying with the handler while hitting likely objectives. A shooting dog is going to run a closer race and will rely on the handler for more direction. A dissertation could be written by many people on the differences between the two, but I’ll spare you the details. The judging of these trials is very subjective, and it’s often up to the pair of judges to determine the dogs they believe put on the best performance. Those will be the dogs that get placements. The most common breeds in many of the trials are pointers and setters. However, you’ll also see Brittany’s, German shorthair pointers, vizslas and a few others. Many of these even have their own breed-specific trials.

One of the early challenges as a newcomer was figuring out if it was a walking or horseback trial. In short, there are a few organizations such as the NBHA and the US Complete Shooting Dog Association, which are strictly walking trials. Dogs are also handled on foot for cover dog trials. If you see an all-age stake on the announcement, that generally means you’re going to need a horse.

Running in Field Trials and Hunting

You hear the sentiment that field trial dogs don’t make good hunting dogs. That couldn’t be further from the truth. They are some of the best hunting dogs out there. There are three reasons that I believe this misnomer is spread. The first being a general misunderstanding or lack of knowledge about the full spectrum of field trials. The second is exposure to the stories of the run-away field trial dogs who were washed out and put into a hunting home. That type of dog won’t make a satisfactory hunter or field trialer. If it’s not the first two reasons, I honestly believe it is because these people know their dogs wouldn’t stack up, and it is said defensively. I’ve caught myself in this white lie when it comes to having a completely steady dog. I have two Drahthaars who aren’t steady to shot and fall. I’ve had them broke before, but frankly it’s very time intensive to maintain that standard, and I don’t want to do it. It’s way easier to give the classic line “I don’t want my dog broke, so they can get to cripples faster,” than saying, “I don’t know how,” or “I don’t want to put in the level of effort required to maintain a broke dog.

Now, would a big running all-age pointer be an ideal pheasant dog in cattails? No, definitely not. But if you’re hunting quail or sharp-tailed grouse in a wide-open landscape, and you asked me to pick between an all-age dog or a dog suited for brush busting, I know which one I’d pick.

As a hunter, field trialing has done several things to help build a better dog through training, experience, and handling. Before I ventured into the world of pointers, I had taken two Drahthaars through the JGHV testing system. If you’re not familiar, it’s like NAVHDA. There were three tests, and for the first two, timing was dictated by a pup’s age. If you didn’t test your dog during that time frame, then you wouldn’t be able to enter them. This was great because I had a set goal for when certain skills needed to be accomplished. The same goes for field trials.

Up here in the Northwoods, snow and cold temps can linger well into the spring. The first trials start here in late March, and I know a certain amount of conditioning and training needs to happen before that first trial if I want to be competitive. The same can be said about preparation for fall trials. By having these deadlines, it forces you to have your dog in fighting shape. Let’s face it, it’s much easier to procrastinate on training when the only person seeing your dog is you and a hunting buddy. But the pressure, and aspect of competition has driven me to spend more time out in the woods, and in the field, working my dogs. Conditioning goes hand in hand with preparation, and when you’re competing against a field of 20 to 30 dogs, having yours in shape often can mean the difference between a flat performance and getting a placement.

The Field Trial Culture

The people you’ll meet trialing dogs is almost worth the price of admission by itself. Some of the most well-respected dog trainers and handlers are involved in the field trial world, and they are often much more willing to answer questions and help in this setting. I’ve had the opportunity to hunt with new trialing friends, and mentors, and it has no doubt in my mind improved hunting success in the field. Becoming a better hunter is great, but meeting other people who share the same deep passion for bird dogs is even better. Many of the people I have met in a few short years will most likely be hunting buddies for the rest of my life.

If you’re looking to buy a pointing dog, are a breeder or aspiring breeder, this is a fantastic opportunity to evaluate other dogs and bloodlines. I have a career in the hunting industry and spend upwards of 80 days a year hunting upland birds with many different people. I get to see a lot of dogs in these travels, but in a three-day field trial, I’ll get to witness about the same number of dogs as I did in the 80 days of hunting. Not only are you able to witness a lot of dogs, but some of the highest caliber dogs out there. Take grouse hunting for example, I’d put a fair amount of money on a champion cover dog finding more birds than a buddy at the cabin who says he has the “best grouse dog out there.”

The competition aspect is part of the reason why I enjoy these trials but don’t let that turn you off. While everyone there wants to win, it is never at the cost of the experience. At the end of the day, people are there because they love bird dogs. If you’re a new bird dog owner, or have had them for decades, field trialing can be a great way to get more out of your hunting companion.