Gun-dogs . . . field trials

Cherry Blossom

First time poster (I think) on this forum and apologies if it's not the most appropriate place but thought there would be more knowledgeable people on this subject in this forum than animals and pets.

Basically I'm interested in finding out how a person gets involved in field trials and training for them, do people generally get involved via gun clubs and is it unknown for a non-hunting person to become involved to the same degree? Is most training undertaken by the dogs owner on a sort of what suits best/make it up as you go along basis? Where do people turn to if something isn't working and they need help with it? What organisations and associations exist? I'd be most interested in people's personal stories of how they got in to it especially from those who perhaps didn't come from a hunting background or didn't have family members already involved who taught them every thing they know. Sorry if some of these questions appear somewhat ignorant but that's because they are . I'm giving serious consideration to getting a gun-dog at the minute and am a firm believer that a working breed should have a suitable job to do and while I'm not going to run out tomorrow and apply for a licence and buy a rifle, I'm very interested in finding out as much as I can about field trials.

If mods feel API would be more appropriate, feel free to move the thread there.

homerhop

Welcom to the forum adrenalinjunkie.
What type of gun dog are you concidering getting?
There are plenty of lads involved in working dogs who do not hunt so you will have no problems there. Most lads will train their dogs themselves but there are rules and methods in which dogs trials are run. If things dont turn out well you will find anyone involved in the trial scene and even the hunting side of things will be very supportive and helpful in any way possible, also there are numerous books some more suited than others for training working dogs.
I know it may not be what some of the folks in api would like but what I would suggest is take a trip to one of the game fairs that is coming up, all the organisations will be there along with trials.
The 16&17 of july in Ballinlough are holding the all irelands this year.
http://www.nationalcountryfair.ie/gundogs.htm.
Its a good day out and not all about hunting.

few more links for ya
http://www.skronedalegundogs.com/page7.htm
http://www.irishpointerclub.com/
http://www.irishredsetterclub.com/home/
http://www.irishwaterspanielclub.org/events.htm

Best of luck and hopefully a new person involved in working dogs.

Cherry Blossom

Thanks for your reply homerhop, really at this stage what I need is pointing in the right direction, so your post is very helpful, thanks! I have a very long short-list at this stage till I find out more. I'd love a hungarian vizsla and am giving careful consideration as to whether I really want something that high energy long-term. Failing that I'm also considering a setter or spaniel.

Spunk84

Did you try calling any field trial people and ask for abit advice? Or even track down where they live and go knock on their door? The least you will be told is go away nothing ventured, nothing gained:) also look online for upcoming field trial competitions and go inquire with the judges who run it.

Also a spaniel is a high energy dog

irish setter

your best bet is to go see a trial and talk to the people involved. i compete in pointer and setter trials which are open to all the setter breeds and the english pointer so i can help you out there. there are also hpr trials, which are open to the continental pointing breeds, spanial trials and retriever trials.

Dusty87

As homerhop said the game fairs are coming up. Anyones iv been at iv spent a while watching the trials. No real interest in doing the trials personally but any of the owners iv talked to have been very nice and enthusiastic. Plenty of books, iv just started reading 'training springers' by joe irving which i got off a poster as a lend:). Im not sure really as im only thinking about the springer but i would reckon you should get her from the right lines.

Cherry Blossom

Thanks for all the replies so far, yeah I think a few day trips will be necessary to get a bit more insight and help pinpoint exactly what would interest me most. As far as high energy dogs go, it would need to be to keep up with and tolerate the energy-levels from my current dog and a hacking parter for when I'm out with the horses would be great . I just need to be sure I'd be able to provide an alternative option (and that I'd have the time!) for letting off steam if for some reason that turns out to be not an option. I do agility with my current dog so most likely I'd do that with the 2nd dog as well. Looks like I have a fair bit of homework to do! Does anyone know of any dates coming up in the north of the country that would be worth turning up to?

homerhop

Moira 28&29 May and Shanes Castle 25&26 June