Field

Field Competition

The Flat-Coated Retriever breed was originally bred in England to be a multipurpose retriever. The breed continues to have strong retrieving and flushing instincts and absolutely loves hunting and hunting retriever competitions.

In general, "field" competitions break down into two categories, hunting retriever tests (hunt tests) and field trials. Field trials are a head to head competition of dog's retrieving abilities with only one dog at a competition receiving the award. Because of this, field trial competitions often contain retrieves of 300 or more yards. These are truly spectacular dogs, and the flat-coats that compete exhibit superior examples of the retrieving art. However, because of the difficulty, length and exacting nature of retrieves at a field trial, it takes a very substantial commitment of both time and money to field a competitive dog and this puts field trials out of reach of many flat-coat (and other retriever breed ) enthusiasts.

More information on Field Trials

A more common and accessible field competition for flat-coat enthusiasts are hunting retriever tests (hunt tests). Both AKC and the North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA) sponsor hunt tests with roughly similar requirements and testing levels. At hunt tests, dogs compete against standards for a passing score. Levels for the AKC tests are Junior hunter, Senior hunter and Master hunter. Each test will consist of at least two retrieves on land and two retrieves in water (more for senior and master). In addition senior and master tests require at least one blind retrieve. Hunt tests are set up to approximate hunting conditions with the gunners in blinds and wearing dark or camouflage clothing. A passing score on 4 tests allows the dog to achieve that title and advance to the next level.

More Information on AKC Hunting Retriever Tests

More Information on NAHRA tests

A third type of hunt test is the working certificate and working certificate excelent (WC/WCX). The WC test for Flat-Coats (and Goldens also) is a land double and 2 water singles. The WCX test is land triples and water double. Passing one test bestows the title.

Some of the terms you will encounter at field competitions

	Mark, also Fall - where the bird has fallen.
	Line - location near the judges from where the dog will be sent.
	Break - when a dog leaves the line before being released by handler. Dogs must remain at heel ( with restraint in Juniors) until the judge releases them. If the dog leaves the line, but the handler is able to quickly call the dog back to the line it is a break and points are deducted, but the dog is not disqualified.
	water series/land series - the set of water retrieves or land retrieves.
	Call back - the dogs that successfully complete the first series. After the series, the judges confer to determine which dogs had passing scores and those dogs are announced or called back to the second series.
	Handle - the act of giving directional signals to the dog in the field to direct it to the bird.
	Blind (retrieve) - in Senior and Master tests a bird is hidden and the dog is sent to find it. The handler then gives the dog directional controls (handles) to the mark for the retrieve.
	Blind - location from which the birds are thrown.
	Holding Blind - locations where dogs wait their turn to run the test. Holding blinds are set up to keep the dog from seeing marks before they are at the line. A dog that sees the falls of birds of other dogs runs the risk of remembering that fall rather than their own.
	Gallery - the location from which people can watch the test.
	Honor - in senior and master competitions a dog must remain at heel while a bird is shot and another dog performs the retrieve.
	Live-shot-flier - a live bird is released from the blind and shot on the wing for the dog to retrieve. Most series have at least one live-shot-flier.
	Pop-and-throw - a blank cartridge is fired and a dead bird is thrown for the dog to retrieve.
	Double - where two birds are thrown before the dog is released on the retrieve. The dog then retrieves one bird to hand then goes back for the other. (Usually in Senior and master competitions.)
	Triple - where 3 birds are thrown before the dog is released on the retrieve. (Master level only)
	Leg - successfully passing a test. Typically it requires 4 legs for a title.

Typical Water Series