DOGS Victoria - Activities and Events

The ability and intelligence of well-bred and well-trained Gundogs is remarkable. DOGS Victoria and various affiliated clubs conduct competitive trials in the field for registered gundogs.

These events are designed to test the various breeds in the type of work for which they were developed over hundreds of and even thousands of years. They provide breeders with the opportunity to test the natural working instincts of their dogs and therefore the chance to select breeding stock on the basis of appropriate temperament and for preservation of their invaluable working instincts.

These trials provide the opportunity for owners to experience the pleasure of working closely with their dogs in a fascinating range of competitive field sports.

Championship titles and minor titles are available based on performance. Gundog trials are run under ANKC rules. The types of trials are classified as follows:

Gundog Working Tests
These events are rather basic tests of obedience and retrieving. They are conducted in the field with dummies of simulated game. They are open to registered dogs of all Gundog breeds.

Retrieving Trials

Retrieving Trials are competitions using registered pure bred Gundogs (eg Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers etc) where dogs and handlers are tested for obedience, and natural retrieving and hunting abilities. The trials are held on properties throughout Victoria and are set in areas that can as close as possible imitate natural hunting situations.

The purpose of a Retrieving trial is to test and determine the dogs natural hunting ability in the field, under natural conditions. Items to be retrieved are cast from a mechanical thrower and dogs must be able to determine the depth of the fall of the ‘game’ and then be able to hunt out the game retrieve it and gently deliver it to the handler. All retrieving trials are held under the rules and regulations of the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council), and are held in all states around Australia.

All dogs entered must be over 6 months of age and trials are conducted by various Gundog Clubs during the year. Clubs publish schedules of events and include information regarding dates of the trial and closing of entries, judges and level of stakes to be included on the day.

Retrieving Trials are conducted at five different levels, Beginners, Novice, Restricted, All Age and Championship.

Beginners is the entrance level for new trialers. A beginners test is a test for dogs that have not previously won a beginners test or been placed in any other retrieving trial stake. A beginners test consists of two runs (retrieves), one on land and one in or through water which is of sufficient depth for the dog to swim. Beginners handlers are generally given instruction on the procedure for the conduct of the test and shown the mechanics of the run over which the dog is required to compete. It is a great way to be introduced to the sport of retrieving trials.

On the opposite end of the scale are the Championship Stakes. One Championship Stake is conducted in each state in Australia each year. The one exception is the year the National Retrieving Trial Championship is conducted in the State, which is held in addition to the State Championship. A National Championship has to consist of at least (7) seven retrieves with at least 15 items of game (2) of which have to be blind finds where the dog has to be tested for steadiness from behind a hide.

Championships are a great spectacle of working gundogs and generally attract many competitors from other states.

Retrieving Trials are a great way to see our Gundogs exhibiting their natural ability in the field. All types of gundogs compete and at any trial you can see breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Large Munsterlander, Britanny, Flatcoated Retriever, Weimaraner and various other breeds of gundogs.