See a field dog work

This might seem like a bit of a weird question. While I haven't been able to do much upland hunting since I got all my licenses, I have manged to wander around some a get a few shots off on some grouse. I've absolutely love walking around the bush and life is looking like it's going to change drastically (for the better! AKA semi-retirement in rural East Coast within a 1-2 years) to allow more opportunity. I also love dogs, have two rescue mutts now, but could see getting an upland dog when life changes.

In saying that, I'd love to see a working field dog in action. What opportunities might I have. Could I observe a field trial. Would that give me a good appreciation? I guess I could go to a game farm and use one of their dogs? This is maybe too much but would asking people to observe their hunt been too much?

Edit: I guess my major problem is I don't have any resources for mentoring in this field. Any idea's how this might start?

Coming out to watch a trial or test would let you see a bunch of good dogs in action and talk to a bunch of dog people. Among groups like that there are always mentors. They can put you on to good breeders & so on. Even if you have no interest in trials and tests and just want a hunting dog, I think this is a good place to start finding people. The only trick is to know when the events are being held.

I posted the link for info on spaniel events on another thread recently: http://www.cnsfta.com/

Not sure about pointing dog events but I'm sure someone will chime in.

PM sent

You could always hook up with a local NAVHDA chapter?

Like others said go to a hunt test, field trial, or something similar. Lots of dog owners of all varieties at these events and for the most part you can get some good information from them, see many different breeds and speak to people that generally will have a whole lot to say about them. Pointing dog tests in the Field Dog Jr. tests you will be able to walk with a young dog and watch he/she work just have to ask the handler/owner for permission. Viszla Society of Ontario is running their fall test in Grand Valley September 13 & 14 this is a pointing dog test. I maybe putting Jim in for Field Dog Excellent, even though I said he retired in June when he got his Field Dog Title.

If you have any questions send me a pm.

Cheers,
Kris

Fisherville this weekend.

Take in a field trial of each - pointing, spaniel, and retriever. See what type of hunting dog fits what you want and what you like to watch :)

Field trials are good too see what a hunting dog can do but in my opinion its like going to the Indy too see what car you want to buy. Might want to considering posting closer to sept 25 with an offer to split the gas too Hullet with and area upland hunter. Once there you will often see a variety of dogs hunting with a variety of hunters. Might find out what style suits you.

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Originally Posted by kjay

Like others said go to a hunt test, field trial, or something similar. Lots of dog owners of all varieties at these events and for the most part you can get some good information from them, see many different breeds and speak to people that generally will have a whole lot to say about them. Pointing dog tests in the Field Dog Jr. tests you will be able to walk with a young dog and watch he/she work just have to ask the handler/owner for permission. Viszla Society of Ontario is running their fall test in Grand Valley September 13 & 14 this is a pointing dog test. I maybe putting Jim in for Field Dog Excellent, even though I said he retired in June when he got his Field Dog Title. If you have any questions send me a PM

Cheers,
Kris

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FDX is a real test of the skills that you want a mature pointing breed to have. . Good for you for seeking that for you dog. ( I'd even like to see your dog try that level. Let me know the date and place in the Fall if you think of it.)

edited for spelling

There's a coverdog trial in Michigan on the 16,17th of August there is a hunting dog stake as well as Shooting dog and derby stakes should be a variety of pointing dogs in attendance amazing grounds, good dogs and great people.

Be worth it to see the above Cpt Snydor . Cover dog trials are walking trials with the dogs working on wild birds. Special.!

I love dogs too. I still feel too sad to get another one since my 13-year-old dog passed away last november

Drove out to Fisherville on Saturday morning (apparently not early enough) and checked out the spaniel trial. We got there a little late and had missed the juniors but we did get to see a few Masters do their runs. It was really neat to see what I am working towards and in the master fleet it is easy to see that steadiness is key and where I will need to do the most work. Not a lot of folks out but it was very nice to see Welsh there (wish I could have seen his dog run) and a great thanks to him for giving us a crash course on how things work. I will definitely be looking into checking out another one of these. Wish there were a few more spaniel training clubs in my area as I would like to get my welsh with other dogs and see how close he compares. Thanks again Welsh.

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Originally Posted by Sudsee

Drove out to Fisherville on Saturday morning (apparently not early enough) and checked out the spaniel trial.

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Well, my dog blew it on the water test Sunday. She knew she blew it, too. She looked embarrassed. Anyway, we're running again in Erin on 16 - 17 Aug. That's a long haul from where you are but if you want to check out another one, it should be better attended. I can let you know in advance how many dogs are running.

Re steady dogs, one of those two we-don't-need-no-stinkin-leashes characters is only three years old and earned his MH Saturday. But he's a special case.

This was a hunt test, not a trial ... trials won't start til the fall. There will be a trial on those same grounds in November.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Field trials are good too see what a hunting dog can do but in my opinion its like going to the Indy too see what car you want to buy. Might want to considering posting closer to sept 25 with an offer to split the gas too Hullet with and area upland hunter. Once there you will often see a variety of dogs hunting with a variety of hunters. Might find out what style suits you.

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+1.................................

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Originally Posted by welsh

Well, my dog blew it on the water test Sunday. She knew she blew it, too. She looked embarrassed. Anyway, we're running again in Erin on 16 - 17 Aug. That's a long haul from where you are but if you want to check out another one, it should be better attended. I can let you know in advance how many dogs are running.

Re steady dogs, one of those two we-don't-need-no-stinkin-leashes characters is only three years old and earned his MH Saturday. But he's a special case.

This was a hunt test, not a trial ... trials won't start til the fall. There will be a trial on those same grounds in November.

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Always annoying when you know your dog has done that skill at home many times and doesn't do it at the test.Too bad. What water part did she miss?

Is Bob R. still the president of the SWOSC?

She simply wasn't steady at the line -- ran in as soon as the bird splashed down. Infuriating, as we spent so much time on water work before the test, and she is line steady, but she gets crazy wound up on the second day of a test after sitting in her crate waiting to go for hours. My fault for not picking up on it and positioning myself closer to her, but I was overconfident.

Bob's still president. In fact, he was the one who pointed out I could have positioned myself better.

He's a great guy. Was president of the London Bird Dog Club after me , so we got to know each other well. My knee is doing really well , so maybe I'll make a trip up to Erin and see your dog work.

A friend of mine would run his Britanny with chain weights before every hunt test as otherwise the dog would be too excited to do well. :)

Just want to say thanks for all the comments and PM's I got.

Got a wonderful invitation from a local that I'll take up on after I get back from vacation.

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Originally Posted by Sharon

A friend of mine would run his Britanny with chain weights before every hunt test as otherwise the dog would be too excited to do well. :)

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My dog is the same. The stress of being crated or tied up for sometimes hours before "show time" winds them up too much. I remember my beagle trial days when some people would actually run their Hare Hound dogs all night to slow them down the next morning for brace trials ( on cottontails) where the judges typically preferred much slower working dogs.

I didn't know you had a beagle back ground too. I'd like to hear about it. I could start a new thread "Terry and his other Life" or you could PM me.:) ( What club were you with?)

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Originally Posted by Sharon

I didn't know you had a beagle back ground too. I'd like to hear about it. I could start a new thread "Terry and his other Life" or you could PM me.:) ( What club were you with?)

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I was in the York county one but we used the Wentworth club grounds.. Probably about 30 years ago now though :scream:. I had a 15" male as did my hunting buddies. We were primarily hunters then but trials was a good way to keep the dogs interested in the off season and in shape. Loved hunting over Beagles but when I decided to get another dog I realized chasing a hound was a young man's game and had always admired pointing breeds so figured I would try one. Not disappointed in the least but would love a Beagle too for winter hunting after bird seasons close. We all chose 15" males for the power they had to bust through deep snow and every now and then put the boots to an unlucky coyote.

Fascinating. Thanks. (With the tracking devices available now-a-days , it's so much easier to manage a beagle.)

Yes it would be a game changer. We spent many Saturdays chasing dogs in the absolute worse swamps in Southern Ontario when they would go out of hearing reach. We never left one in the bush overnight though but came home pretty late a few times. A Garmin Astro would have been priceless.