Though I spent a good deal of my career running a kennel, training hunting spaniels, and guiding field hunts, I have always been involved in the spaniel field trial circuit. Even now, I love attending spaniel trials and judging whenever I can. A good field trial allows me the opportunity to see a number of dogs, and a number of handlers, perform at a high level. And when I watch a trial, I can compare one dog to the next on a level playing field. I love watching dogs over a period of years at trials, as I can see them grow and develop. I’ll also admit that spaniel trials are a place where I can gather with friends and fellow flushing dog people, and trials have served as a great social outlet for me. Honestly, after all these years, there are few things as gratifying to watch as a well-bred and well-trained spaniel competing in the field, and few things as fun in life as sharing that experience with people who, like me, appreciate the gifts these dogs have to offer.
As you would imagine, AKC spaniel trials share a common template, but as in most endeavors, not all trials are created equal. Read on as I describe spaniel trials and how they work, and I will also weigh in on what separates a decent spaniel trial from a great one.
In a spaniel trial there are two handlers and two judges followed by a gallery of spectators. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Spaniel Field Trial Format AKC sanctioned spaniel field trials are generally divided into three categories: Open All-Age trials are for experienced dogs handled by pros or amateurs , Amateur All-Age trials are for dogs handled by amateur (non-professional) handlers,and Puppy/Derby Stakes are specified for younger or less experienced dogs. Dogs are run in braces/pairs, and once released, they are given the opportunity to hunt through a course of natural cover to find planted (though occasionally wild) birds. The handler follows the dog through the course, offering some light steering, and the judges walk with the handlers, watching both handler and dog. Typically, there are two flanking guns and one central gun, any/all of whom can shoot at flushed birds. A gallery follows quietly behind.
In the first few series, dogs are run two at a time, but during the final series, dogs are run and judged on their own. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Judging in a Spaniel Field Trial The goal of a spaniel trial is to showcase the style, speed, and drive with which spaniels can find, flush, and retrieve birds within gun range. As the dog moves through cover, the judges evaluate the way the dog quarters, how thoroughly the dog covers ground, checks in, and uses the wind. Within quartering, the judge will assess scenting and bird finding ability, and the intensity and efficiency with which a dog works scent. When a bird is located, the flush should be bold and intentional, and the spaniel should immediately showcase steadiness, or a “hup,” on the flush and shot before being released to retrieve. Presumably, one of the guns will kill the bird, and the dog’s retrieve will be evaluated for efficiency and marking, taking into account if a direct line was taken to the point of fall, and if the dog returned the bird directly to the handler. Flushes should be executed within range of the gun, as out-of-range flushes will be scored negatively. What is most impressive to me is that each dog should be allocated his or her birds, meaning that if a bird is flushed by the left-side dog in the brace, and the bird flies left-to-right and is shot by the right-side gun (likely closer to the right-side dog), the right side dog must hup and stay steady as the left-side dog runs right in front of him/her to make the retrieve. Steadiness under pressure requires a tremendous amount of training and a strong foundation.
Becoming a Field Champion Across the board, spaniels are evaluated for style, manners, intensity, drive, and confidence. They should be attentive to the handler but should not require over-handling. Their overall demeanor should be one of class and professionalism. Provided dogs do not get eliminated in each successive series, dogs may run up to three series in a day, after which placements of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are awarded. In the last series, typically one dog is run at a time, and both judges assess that dog. The final placements are awarded points that count towards a point total, one that accumulates until a dog has sufficient total points to become a Field Champion.
Field Champion dogs are the result of great breeding, great training, composure on the part of the handler and the dog, and a bit of luck. Ultimately, judging great dogs against one another is subjective. That said, Field Champions only became Field Champions because they performed at a high level again and again, and those performances were recorded in the presence of a discriminating audience.
Good cover makes a big difference in the quality of a trial because it changes how a dog performs, and how easily it is judged. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) The Difference Between a Good and Great Field Trial So, with all of this background, what makes a field trial good and what makes one mediocre? First and foremost, I feel that the cover is critical. Too little cover, and the dogs operate more on sight than smell, and it is hard to evaluate bird-finding ability. Too much cover, or too tall cover, and you cannot see the dog at work and effectively judge their performance. The right amount of cover is mixed, ideally woodland and field, with grass or brush at eye height for the dogs. This allows the dogs to work by scent while being seen by the judges and gallery and also allows them sufficient line of sight to mark retrieves.
Second, a great trial has great birds. Birds for trials, whether they are chukar or pheasants, should flush readily and aggressively, and fly well. Birds that are poor quality get caught by the dogs, and don’t allow the dogs to showcase their full ability as retrievers.
Next, a great trial features very experienced guns. A good trial gun must first be an excellent shot, as missed birds or lost birds do nothing to allow a spaniel to show off their skills. Similarly, judges want to see a dog’s marking ability and retrieving drive, which means that a gun needs to knock down birds at middle distance, neither too far out nor too close. The former will result in a bird that is hard for a dog to mark and find, the latter will not allow a dog to get up a head of steam on the retrieve. Guns make a great deal of difference in the overall quality and equity of a spaniel field trial.
Finally, a great spaniel field trial has to have great judges. In general, judges should be equally experienced and should have seen enough working spaniels to know the finer qualities that separate them. Particularly in Open Stakes, the dogs may allbe of superior ability, and judges have to have a keen eye to see each dog’s unique abilities. It is the judge’s job to separate a very good dog from a great one. Additionally, Judges have to be impartial, and they have to be firm in their convictions.There is a degree of politicking that goes on in the trial space, and occasionally handlers try to sway judges. A good judge remains impartial and makes his or her assessment from a position of experience and authority.
I suppose there is one other factor that separates a great trial from a so-so one, and that is the level of engagement and enthusiasm. One thing I love about spaniel trials is that many clubs or organizations that host trials encourage them to be treated as special events. Often, handlers dress formally in neckties, tweeds, or formal outdoor clothes. There is typically a nice midday meal and a formal awards ceremony at the end. Handlers, judges, etc. take the opportunity to gather, catch up, and talk dogs. I find that when a trial has a certain level of intention and celebration around it, and when people show up with good-natured attitudes, but also with a healthy level of competitiveness, the events are memorable. A great trial is a special event, and a mediocre trial is just another way to spend a Saturday. In my mind, we owe it to our dogs and ourselves to make every trial day as special as it can be!
