Rules for AF puppy stakes

[47sgs]

I've not done any AF trials, only NSTRA, but I have an 11 month old English setter puppy I've been working with. He's fast, runs pretty large, and handles planted birds fairly well, though gets excited with wild chukars and pheasant. My questions are;
1. What is the age bracket for puppy stakes
2. What is expected from a puppy to participate ? ex. steady through the flush, etc., do they retieve?, back?
3. What's a good way to find where AF trials are in my region?

[myerstenn]

If your dog was born after jan 1 of 08 you have eighteen months . Your dog would be a puppy thru the spring of 09 season .Judges would be primaily looking for run and wild exuberance, if the dog found game and flash pointed that would be a plus. puppies are generally placed on run. There was another post on the same question a few weeks ago . should be still be on the forum list .

[myerstenn]

Google, American Field Publishing , there is a listing of all american field events on the site.

[Sharon]

That is a nice avatar.
Puppies are run in braces. 20 minute stake. No birds are planted.The judge wants to see some good signs of independence. He/she's also thinking whether this pup has the potential to be a good derby dog some day. If pup spends his whole time following the other pup and sniffing his bum, this won't earn him a placement.

[47sgs]

As it appears my puppy is qualified for puppy stakes until next june, I have been looking for events in the northwest, either AF or AKC to participate in without much success. Looking at both websites, I've not found anything yet. If anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it.

[shags]

Go to www.akc.org and do an events search for field trials in the states you would travel to. Use the past events option and you will find several pointing breed club events. AKC clubs use a corresponding calendar, which means they usually have trials on the same weekend every year - e.g. the third weekend of March or whatever. You'll see what is likely to be coming up for 2009. You might want to contact the past chairman or secretary also; they could give you some info about their events, or turn you to someone who can.
Check the AKC site often because a lot of trial committees do not get their paperwork in to AKC til fairly close to the trial.
For AKC trials, puppies are 6-15 months on the first day of the trial.