Judges also want dogs that hup (sit down) on the flush without direction (whistle or voice), that race to the fallen bird when sent as if guided by smart-bomb technology and return at speed with high heads and proud demeanor.

The overwhelming majority of spaniels entered into field trials do all the basics, but they lack the great speed and/or style needed to win. Many of these dogs become field trial washouts, yet are excellent dogs.

Many trial dog owners will stick with their also-ran dogs for some time. Others who are either more competitive or have deeper pockets will cut their losses and start over with a new dog.

All the dogs in that last category are field trail washouts, and some of the ones held on to by owners eventually become field trial washouts.

Many good spaniels can run field trials well but will never win ribbons.

You see, often a field trial washout is not a washout at all. It is often a fine dog with talent that is just unable to break into the first three placements--ever.

There are plenty of field trialers who will get rid of such dogs regularly; they want to win. Some rid themselves of their dog(s) early, and some wait a couple of years.

Finally, when winning becomes the sole goal, when that dog that is a bit slow, when that dog has little flash, when that dog mouths the bird before picking it up and returning to the handler, when that dog lacks pride in his own abilities…finally, that dog is looking for a new home.

You, reader, can buy that dog and likely have the best gun dog you ever owned.

I talked to two active, involved amateurs; a good, successful professional spaniel trainer; and used my own experience with field trial spaniels and field trials to come up with the dollar figures that follow. They are not set in concrete, but they do represent sound ballpark figures. They were not just picked out of the sky.

A field trial spaniel washout (using my description above) could/would cost from $3,000--$5,500--perhaps more for something really special.

Whoa!

Am I crazy? How much?

Considering $3,000--$5,500 in a vacuum is difficult. But when considering some of the other trappings of the game the value of that figure moderates. Considering that one will have at least six good years and two or three quite decent years of hunting from your washout, that dollar figure starts looking reasonable--because it is. The dog you start with will likely be two to three years old.

Ask yourself: What is my over- under or side-by-side worth? What is the annual fee for the hunting club? What will it cost to go west to hunt wild birds? What is the cost of the pick-up or SUV? How about the ATV? How many shotguns do I have?

If you buy and train pup yourself you'll spend several thousand dollars on vet care, food and birds his first two to three years.

A field-bred spaniel pup from good breeding is going to cost $750--$1,200.

A pro charges $600-$1,000 a month; the lower figure probably does not include birds.

Conclusion
If this sounds reasonable to you, start your search by contacting the AKC and asking for field trial club contacts in your region.

Contact several field trialers and get the names of several professional spaniel trainers who train dogs for field trials--not just for gun dogs and not just for AKC hunt tests; they're different.

Tell the pro what you want, call others and do the same and definitely get to a field trial or two to see what these dogs, even the "washouts," can do.

You could be pleasantly surprised, and you are likely to wind up with the best hunting dog you've ever had.