Thread: Versatile hunting dog test

the dogs at the trials are peer reviewed via performances over time -possibly as are the handlers to some degree .People do make decisions from these trials to do matings based on performances ,linage , letters in that linage . I cannot see how you dont see the club trial scene as a lesser tool than maybe it once was ,although smaller numbers still same practices one thinks ??? The alternative practice that is currently better is ?

Spending an entire day hunting over the dogs

one day only and that's your decision made ? I feel several days or several trials especially the natural game trials would give a good example of a dogs work ability .Also with the trials all the dogs are there you have a menu of animals available to see and dont have to go find them . Some days in the field would be great if you knew that a particular dog was good other wise you might chase you tail all over town looking for that special animal- me thinks.There are certainly many dogs out there worthy to be breed with that arnt trialed or seen by most but they are defiantly there -as are diamonds if you can find them !

several days trialling would be what, an hour running, maybe two at most in total? I'm with Uplander

its about the quality of the work and not fitness , any well put together dog can run well for a days shooting. My point was also at club trials you have dogs to see and unless you have an intimate knowledge of someone else's dogs that little diamond will to hard to find

No one mentioned fitness?

I read you wrong -still my point is still the same - you dont have to hunt a whole day to see the quality of a working dog and they're there to see on mass -all 1-2-3-4 of them lol !If you have a potential dog you know is good a day out would be better for the obvious reasons of course but a little harder to find that dog one thinks !

True, I didn't mean just any dog. Over the last few years I have made a point of inviting people to my place with dogs of a known quality (ie. some were/are trials winners) to see them hunt. I feel it is a better way to get a feel for a dog than any trial. Seeing a dog in action in a variety of environments, on various game species I have found speaks more about a dog than any titles or ribbons

Hey Pointer, you all sorted for opening week with me & Petros

Originally Posted by Pointer

True, I didn't mean just any dog. Over the last few years I have made a point of inviting people to my place with dogs of a known quality (ie. some were/are trials winners) to see them hunt. I feel it is a better way to get a feel for a dog than any trial. Seeing a dog in action in a variety of environments, on various game species I have found speaks more about a dog than any titles or ribbons

Agreed , seeing a dog in action has to be the best way for sure .Ryan told me you have a wonderful bird finder !

Originally Posted by upnorth uplander

Hey Pointer, you all sorted for opening week with me & Petros

hope you guys have good luck on opening weekend .I am going with Dog Roll to the Bay of plenty of pheasants LOL

Originally Posted by upnorth uplander

Hey Pointer, you all sorted for opening week with me & Petros

Keen as beans!

Originally Posted by el borracho

Ryan told me you have a wonderful bird finder !

No longer. Went to the big kennel upstairs nearly 6 months ago

That a bummer Pointer ! If your ever keen on a Setter give us a holler in a year as they should be fresh outta the oven !

Originally Posted by el borracho

one day only and that's your decision made ? I feel several days or several trials especially the natural game trials would give a good example of a dogs work ability .Also with the trials all the dogs are there you have a menu of animals available to see and dont have to go find them . Some days in the field would be great if you knew that a particular dog was good other wise you might chase you tail all over town looking for that special animal- me thinks.There are certainly many dogs out there worthy to be breed with that arnt trialed or seen by most but they are defiantly there -as are diamonds if you can find them !

Ummm not being cute, but you read Leon's book aye?

some time ago Ruff -what were his thoughts