Field Trials

A Field Trial is a competition where the working ability of dogs is assessed under actual hunting and shooting conditions in the field.

These trials are basically a combination of the rules for Utility Gundog and Pointer & Setter field trials held under the Shooting and Game laws of each State.

There is also a separate retrieving component in these trials.

How long has Field Trials For All Pointing Breeds of Gundogs been in Australia?

Rules for these trials became effective in 2019.

What natural instinct does Field Trials For All Pointing Breeds of Gundogs bring out?

These trials are an opportunity for All Pointing breeds to compete against each other using their different styles of game finding

All States are eligible to run these trials, however, the game laws of some states are restrictive in which case a “closed season’ variant of these trials is conducted.

Why get Field Trials For All Pointing Breeds of Gundogs?

Field Trials For All Pointing Breeds of Gundogs provide the opportunity for the dogs and handlers to work together to find live game in a natural environment.

Types of Field Trials

There are three types of Field Trials in which a registered Gundog may compete according to breed:

Pointer & Setter Field Trials
Spaniel & Retriever Field Trials
Utility Gundog Field Trials

Field Trials For Pointers and Setters

What are Field Trials For Pointers and Setters?

These trials are open to registered Pointers, English, Irish, Gordon and Irish Red & White Setters. Trials are held under the Shooting and Game laws of each State. Game is primarily Quail.

Dogs are worked in pairs required to hunt, find, and point game, then flush on command. They are also required to “back” their partner when that dog finds game. Steadiness is an important asset in this discipline. These dogs are air scenting animals rather than ground scenting meaning that they can often detect game at some distance.

There are two basic levels of competition Novice and Open and each State can run one Championship trial for qualified dogs per year

How long has Field For Pointers and Setters been in Australia?

Pointer & Setter trials were established in Australia in their current form in 1968.

What natural instinct does Field Trials For Pointers and Setters bring out?

These trials are an opportunity to test the game finding ability of air scenting breeds in a natural environment.

What States/Territories is Field Trials For Pointers and Setters in?

Some states are subject to restrictive Game laws. In these states, a “Closed Season” variant of these trials are conducted.

How many Field Trials For Pointers and Setters clubs are there in Australia?

Currently, there are less than 10 clubs nationally that run Pointer and Setter trials.

Why get into Field Trials For Pointers and Setters?
Pointer & Setter trials allow dogs and handlers to work together to find live game in a natural environment.

Field Trials for Spaniels and Retrievers

What are Field Trials For Spaniels and Retrievers?

Open to all breeds of Retriever & Spaniel (except Brittany Spaniel –classed as a Utility Gundog) These trials are held under the Shooting and Game laws of each State. Game is primarily rabbits with quail is also acceptable.

Dogs compete in pairs required to hunt in reasonably close proximity of their owners (quartering) to find, indicate and if necessary flush the game.
They must remain stationary on the flush, (chasing is considered a major fault) until they are sent to retrieve.

There are two basic levels, Novice and Open. Each State may run one Championship trial each year.

How long has Field Trials For Spaniels and Retrievers been in Australia?

Spaniel & Retriever trials in Australia in their current form were established in 1968 .

What natural instinct does Field Trials For Spaniels and Retrievers bring out?These trials are designed to test each dog’s natural game finding ability

and other attributes required in a “hunting dog”.

What States/Territories is Field Trials For Spaniels and Retrievers in?

All States could run trials, however, in some states, the shooting of game other than rabbits is subject to restrictive game laws.

How many Field Trials For Spaniels and Retrievers clubs are there in Australia?

Currently, there are less than 10 clubs that are running these trials.

Why get into Field Trials For Spaniels and Retrievers?

These trials provide an opportunity for dogs to work live game in the field and for their owners to experience their dog’s natural game finding ability in a natural environment.

Field Trials For Utility Gundogs

What are Field Trials For Utility Gundogs?

These trials re open to registered Utility Gundogs, for example, Brittany Spaniels, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Longhaired Pointers, Italian Spinone, Large Munsterlanders and Hungarian Vizslas.

Trials are held in season on private property under the relevant Shooting and Game laws of each State. Game primarily is quail. Dogs worked in pairs and are required to hunt, acknowledge (point) and then on command flush and retrieve the game.

Dogs are also required to honour (back) another dog. Steadiness is an important attribute for the dog. Dogs are also required to complete a water retrieve.
There are two levels of competition, Novice and Open.

How long have Field Trials For Utility Gundogs been in Australia?

Field Trials were established in their current form in 1974.

What natural instinct do Field Trials For Utility Gundogs bring out?

These trials rely upon a dog’s natural ability to hunt, find, and point game. Field Trials are designed to test this ability along with retrieving in a natural environment.

What States/Territories is Field Trials For Utility Gundogs in?

Currently, all states can conduct these Field Trials however in some states local game laws prohibit the harvesting of quail so a “Closed Season “ variant of these trials are conducted.

How many Field Trials For Utility Gundogs clubs are there in Australia?
Approximately 12 clubs conduct these trials around Australia including specific breed clubs (like the German Shorthaired Pointer).

Why get into Field Trials For Utility Gundogs?

Field Trials present an opportunity for utility gundogs and their owners to experience the exhilaration of hunting with their dog in a natural and competitive environment.

More information

To find your local Field Trials sport club please visit your local State website:

DOGS NSW
DOGS QUEENSLAND
DOGS SA
DOGS VICTORIA
DOGS WEST