Why Do You Test Or Trial?

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:35 am

Why is it that you participate in a test or trial format?

I have two reasons:

1. It's fun.
2. It's our family activity.

Best regards,

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:54 am

1. For the breeder and the breed.
2. It gives you something to strive for in your training.
3. Getting out with people that share the same interest.

QCBirddogs · Post by **QCBirddogs** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:29 am

Some breeds require passing scores to be eligable to breed.

Training for and competing keeps the dog sharp for hunting season.

Comradery (sp)....getting a bunch of dog folks together begets one of two things.....a Real Great time, or a heck of a fist fight...BOth equally as much fun!

It streches the time you can get out and work with your dogs.

I would have to say....the top is.....getting new folks involved in the bird dog world and helping them along.

P & G

Post by **kninebirddog** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:15 pm

Enjoyment of watching my dogs doing what they were bred to do

To show and prove potential owners of pups that they are doing what they were bred to do..

to have fun

ckfowler · Post by **ckfowler** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:14 pm

More time in the field with my dog (she just doesn't like fishing

)

Chat with people of similar interests, even when we don't agree

Skills she shows while hunting that I know came from trialing experience.

I'm really not that competitive

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:27 pm

The enjoyment of working and showing off your dog.
The enjoyment of meeting people with like interest to mine.
The fun of competeing.
The friends you can make and get to see again.
Its good for my dog and me.
Gives me an excuse for being on the forum.

Ezzy

sdgord · Post by **sdgord** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:55 pm

We have the dogs trial so they can go to winter camp in Texas and I can stay home in SD in four feet of snow and -30 zero. We do the hunt test thing cuz I dont have to own a horse. Personally I prefer the hunt test format as I can take the dogs myself. You get to meet people with varying degress of the same psychosis as I have. (birddogitis). I have this uncontrollable need to spend large amounts of money on trainers boarding fees and entry fees for funny colored ribbons.SDGORD

TAK · Post by **TAK** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:35 pm

I like to compete, dogs horses, guns, softball.... you name it I will be up for the challenge! Heck I have been known to take a bet over how many times one can get a rock to skip along the water! (OK, Maybe I have a gambling problem!)
Over the years I have meet some great people, and also some sticks in the mud. Take the good and the bad.
Thing is, I love Birddogs and watching them. I really don't care if the tail is long or short or if it has wire or it has short or long hair. If it hunts with style and makes me about to pee my pants, I LIKE IT!

Post by **Ayres** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:15 am

1. Good practice for myself and my dog.
2. Gives a training goal.
3. Like to see other dogs and breeds working as well. Can't do this on such a large scale without tests/trials.
4. Fun to see my pup do his thing.
5. Keeps me in shape, somewhat... well.. better than not doing it.

gunner · Post by **gunner** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:56 am

I've enjoyed raising, training and competing with my own dogs and horses for over a half century.
The traditional field trials have allowed me to travel, train, and observe some of the finest bird dogs in the world compete on some of the most magnificent upland game properties. Many of the properties the average guy would never have access without the field trial event.
The FT fraternity shares the love of training, conditioning and campaigning class pointing dogs, upland gamebirds and the stewardship or management of these coverts, the competition and fine sportsmanship, the beauty of nature's landscape throughout the seasons, the other birds and wildlife observed during a trials running, the extension of the time with our animals beyond the short hunting season, and of course the tradition.

As most traditional field trialers, I rarely actually bird hunt from my horses. Most training of even the biggest going all-age dogs is completed from on foot. I think many folk that have never attended traditional trials don't understand that the horse is used primarily as a raised convenience. Most folk, even in the best health and condition would not be able to follow brace after brace, early morning to late evening, on all footings, up and down ravines and hillsides, crossing deep water crossings, through briars, brambles, thickets, woods and horse high prairie grasses. These are the courses similar to the hunting courses you travel when in search of native upland game. They are designed to show a dogs mettle. That animal's stamina, endurance, intelligence, nose, way of moving; a breeders test to show off in front of their peers, the natural attributes of what most bird hunters should demand in their hunting dogs.

A toast to the dogs and traditions of the lean breed club!

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:42 am

I originally got into NAVHDA just to learn how to train. It turned out I had a good dog. Got into AKC trialing because it appeared to me the dog could win, and deserved the chance. I stayed in it for a long time, as long as that dog could do it and for years after with several dogs, because of the friendships, and because I justed loved watching great stylish dogs work, during hunting season or not. I liked riding Walkers also. Very nice personalities to match the dogs.

I fell out of it for a number of years because the kids were growing up, and I needed to be there.

The day came when they were mostly grown up, and I did a breeding of a couple of good trial dogs, and two pups in particular kind of stood out and I could afford to give at least one a chance, so ......

We will just have to see where the story leads from here.

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Why Do You Test Or Trial?

Why Do You Test Or Trial?

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