What Are Field Trials

Field Trials are a sporting event where individuals compete with trained Bird dogs.  The dogs are judged on confirmation, stamina, hunting desire and obedience in the pursuit of upland game birds.  Field Trials are a method of proving breeding stock for improving the bird dog breeds.  There are several variations of Field Trials and sponsoring organizations, they include both Breed specific and non Breed specific type trials.  They also include both classes where the dogs are handled from foot and classes that the handlers are mounted on horseback.

A few of the sponsoring organizations can be found at the links below;

Below are excerpts from a couple of publications covering Field Trials.

Field Trials. History, Management and Judging Standards. By William F. Brown. South Brunswick and New York: A. S. Barnes and Company, 1977. First Edition Thus. First published in 1934 under the title "The Field Trial Primer". 4to., 235 pp., black and green dust jacket with white lettering and black-and-white pictorial illustration,

 Field trials are proving grounds of dog breeding and blood lines, and a test of individual excellence in natural qualities such as speed, range, bird-finding ability, trainability, and stamina. Field trials are conducted on recognized upland game birds, wild or released. Field Trials provide a proving ground for dogs that should be used to breed future hunting dogs. A well bred and trained hunting dog is a valuable asset to any hunter in bagging and preserving upland game.

The Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America is the governing body of amateur field trial clubs whose purpose is to promote and protect the use of sporting dogs for hunting and amateur bird dog competition on upland game.

 From Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America BY Laws

 The particular business and objects of the corporation are:

To restore and perpetuate wild Upland Game Birds on the North America Continent; to promote, carry on, conduct and foster research, education, training and publication in ornithological sciences, to make studies with reference to the enhancement of knowledge concerning Upland Game Birds of the North American continent; to establish, promote, assist, contribute to or otherwise encourage the study of conservation, restoration and management of Upland Game Birds and their habitats; and in connection therewith to grant scholarships, prizes, and rewards; to promote, encourage, acquire or maintain refuges for Upland Game birds and to foster and increase interest in and knowledge of Upland Game Birds and their conservation and restoration by promoting, regulating, controlling, advising and conducting field trials on Upland Game Birds.

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