Many layman compare hunting a dog from field trial blood to going for a Sunday afternoon ride, on a race horse!  There are some field trial breeders that have concentrated only on winning with little or no consideration for temperament, or the physical appearance of their dogs.  Some people consider the dogs hyper and snippy in the nose.  This generalization is inaccurate.  There are many wonderful Field Champions that are physically, typical representatives of their breed with excellent temperaments.  My very best hunting dog and personal pet was also a field champion. 

Most of  the better, and more trainable retrievers used for hunting or hunting tests, come from field trial bloodlines.  It makes sense that these high caliber working retrievers would produce the most trainable, birdie and intelligent offspring.  A hunter should be trying to buy a retriever pup that has numerous field champions and dogs with hunt test titles in its pedigree.  Most of the best, fully trained hunting retrievers we sell, are dogs that were started for field trials or hunt tests, and didn't quite make the grade for one reason or another.  They make excellent hunting dogs. 

     There are four levels of field trial tests.  Derby, for dogs under two years old, Qualifying, which is an intermediate level, Open, and Amateur.  Dogs can only earn championship points when competing in the most advanced levels - Open and Amateur.  Field Champion titles precede the name of the dog on official A.K.C. pedigrees.  You can find out more about field trials on line at http://www.working-retriever.com .   This is an excellent source to shop for a puppy or stud dog.  They have a complete list of A.K.C. Field Trial dates and locations.

"Hightest Sink or Swim" at the 2001 National  Field Trial Championship in Cheraw S.C.  Handled by Jerry Patopea, owned by Debra Folsom .

     Retriever hunting tests are supposed to more closely resemble actual hunting situations.  The participants wear camouflage clothing, and the retrieving distance is usually within one hundred yards.  They make more use of duck calls, boats, decoys etc.  There are several test levels categorized by level of difficulty.  The Started or Junior level is very basic consisting of single retrieves on land and water.  A hunting dog with some basic training should be able to participate at this level.  The Senior and Master levels are more difficult, requiring the dogs to do multiple marks and take hand signals.  Because of the low beginning level, almost any hunter and retriever can participate.  The dogs must receive a qualifying score on all retrieves to pass the test.  After passing the required number of hunting tests at a certain level, usually five or six given by different clubs on different dates, the dog is awarded a title.  A.K.C. titles will appear on all pedigrees and registration certificates bearing that dog's name.  The A.K.C. titles are Junior Hunter (JH), Senior Hunter (SH), and the highest level is Master Hunter (MH). These titles appear after the registered name of the dog.

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