Onk -
I basically agree with everything brittguy said.
I will add that there is such a thing as an amateur puppy and amateur derby stake in AKC. I haven't seen too awful many Am. Puppy stakes advertised but there are both Amateur derby stakes offered occasionally by clubs The handlers must walk in Am. Puppu and Am. Derby so the dogs do not need to run to the ends of the earth and in point of fact, should not.
In addition, there are clubs which put on a complete slate of walking stakes. There are not that many who do this in certain parts of the country, but in other places a walking trial is fairly common.
If you dog has a nice way of going, if the dog stays with you and hunts for you...go have some fun. The little furball might just stick a bird and get you a hunk of colored ribbon.
RayG