Which trials for a newbie?

[birdogg42]

I am wanting to get into trials of some sort just dont know what type, I dont have a horse (yet), so walking trials is what i am looking at. I have been to a couple NSTRA trials and that just aint for me. So i guess what i am asking which association would be best suited for a new guy. And what are the requirements for your dog (as far as being broke steady to flush, steady to wing and shot). thank

Mike

[aylaschamp]

I love NSTRA and have been looking into other venues. What are ya looking for? What is it that turns you off of NSTRA? Answering that might help people direct you to a different venue.

[birdogg42]

I just think that the fields were too little and my dogs would run too much. I liked the people there. I would just like to try something else.

[romeo212000]

Thats a bummer. You ought to come down to Oklahoma. We run on some big fields down here.

[Sharon]

American Field/AFTCA puppy/derby/shooting dog walking stakes

http://www.aftca.org/

http://www.americanfield.com/

[birdogg42]

Sharon, how does the dogs in aftca have to be broke? thanks for responding.

mike

[slistoe]

Assuming you have adult dogs, AFTCA, AF, AKC, US Complete all require broke dogs.

NBHA rules state that a broke dog is preferred.

[RayGubernat]

Mike -

In addition to those already mentioned there are a number of AKC trials conducted. The AF, AFTCA, USCSDA, NBHA and ABHA all are very heavily subscribed by pointers with a decent percentage of E.Setters and a few Irish setters competing. There is an offshoot the NGSPA which is a shorthair club run under the AF/AFTCA but they mostly do horseback, I believe.

As has been said...steady to wing and shot is the requirement for all adult dog stakes.

There are some AKC clubs which conduct walking stakes and according to the rules, amateur puppy and amateur derby stakes must be walking. Many AKC clubs, in my area, make a definite effort to have a wrangler at their trials so that even folks without horses can handle from horseback. The north central part of th country also has a good number of clubs which sponsor cover dog trials which are walking trials run in the woods on grouse and occasionally woodcock.

Where are you located? That can help determine what is available.

RayG

[Sharon]

Sharon, how does the dogs in aftca have to be broke? thanks for responding.

mike

Adult stakes require a dog to be completely broke . Derby stakes do not require a dog to be completely broke but your dog is unlikely to place in a derby stake if it isn't broke. This is not to say that you never see a dog break in an adult stake.

[gar-dog]

My dog has run in three horseback trials and I do not have a horse. I got a wrangler horse and just gave it a go. Dive right in. I found folks to be very helpful and welcoming to me and some other newbies.

[topher40]

Mike-
You can give Andy a call, he would be able to tell you what the AFTCA stakes require. He probably wouldnt mind if you wanted to tag along to a couple with him spring.

[birdogg42]

Mike -


Where are you located? That can help determine what is available.

RayG

I live between Cape Girardeau and Sikeston MO. Thanks for all the replys. I will more than likely just go watch a few trials and see what it is all about. It seems like all the trials you guys/gals have mentioned, your dogs have to be steady to wing and shot. Which my dogs are not. Just plain ol hunting dogs. So i will have some work to do. but like I said. Thanks for all the replys.

Mike

[slistoe]

Most every trial format (outside of NSTRA) has the dogs demonstrate their trainability by having full manners on birds and around bracemates. Most of the trial formats also put a premium on maintenance of style throughout the performance, increasing the degree of trainability the dogs must display.

[ohiohuntinweim]

UFTA was where I got my start. Its not for everybody as its a tournament type of hunt (similiar to Bird Dog Challenge).

[romeo212000]

Most every trial format (outside of NSTRA) has the dogs demonstrate their trainability by having full manners on birds and around bracemates. Most of the trial formats also put a premium on maintenance of style throughout the performance, increasing the degree of trainability the dogs must display.

Well since a dog is scored on his style and manner on birds, and since a dog is scored on whether he backs, and on the quality of his back I am not sure how dogs do not have to demonstrate their manners in NSTRA trials. Though I will concede steady tow ing and shot is not a requirement in NSTRA.

[birdogg42]

Mike-
You can give Andy a call, he would be able to tell you what the AFTCA stakes require. He probably wouldnt mind if you wanted to tag along to a couple with him spring.

Thanks Chris, I have spoke to him a few times this week.

[slistoe]

romeo you need to read better. Nowhere did I say that NSTRA dogs have no manners. The point I made was regarding trainability - and that full manners (including steady to wing and shot for those that require all the extra verbiage) is a major means that it is demonstrated. Further to that is that dogs who lose style in the process of such training are so severely penalized that they will not win. I felt it was germane to the thread topic to point out that NSTRA did not have as stringent a requirement in this area (demonstration of trainability by virtue of a full manners requirement and an emphasis on maintaining style to the point of it becoming essentially a disqualification).