I was eleven years old when I ran my first event. Although it was just a retriever test at a fun event for our club I was on the top of the world. My Dad let me run his black lab Shane. The dog did great and I had a wonderful first experience.

At the field trials in Wisconsin, I worked as a bird boy. Every weekend we would pack up and head to the trial. I used to love watching the dogs. A couple years later my Dad all but gave up on a dog named Foxy. One weekend my dad said "I’m sick of that dog, why don’t you run him". The dog did awesome with his new handler and we placed second in the derby. I was hooked. Some day I would get my own dog and run in these events.

Since then, over thirty years ago I have run AKC field trials, AKC hunt tests, UKC hunt tests, and several types of fun events designed to test retrievers in the field.

So you have decided to get in the game. Well there are many to choose from. More Retriever events are popping up all the time, from clubs fun events to the National Retriever Open. They aren’t only a great time but also can be quite rewarding. Different awards are presented at events ranging from trophies, ribbons, certificates, and finally now, even cash. The most sought after prize however is "titles". Titles such as NFC, FC, AFC, MH, SH, etc, etc, goes on the dog’s pedigree making his stud fee higher, making the females puppies worth more and of coarse making the dog worth more.

If you have decided to start running hunt tests, field trials, or fun trials then you have probably visited the events and know what’s expected. If you haven’t, you should. Everyone that purchases a field dog should witness a hunt test and field trial. Here you will learn what these dogs can be trained to do. You will see the young dog’s talents as well as the seasoned dog’s abilities.

There are several organizations that sanction events. The main ones in the U.S. are American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, and the North American Hunter Retriever Association. Their rules and regulations, upcoming events, and other information can be obtained on the web.

The licensed American Kennel Club (AKC) field trials basically have three different levels of competition. The Derby, which is for dogs under two years old and consists mostly of double retrieves and no blinds. You might occasionally see a triple but even the doubles are difficult for most "hunting dogs". Your dog must be well schooled on tight double marks as well as fighting factors such as wind, hillsides and pieces of water. Judges regularly use factors in separating likely winners.

The Qualifying which consists of double and triple marks are much more difficult then the derby and they will incorporate blinds as well as retired guns and poison birds. This is a test for a very experienced dog. A dog "qualified all age" is a dog that has won first place at two qualifying stakes.

And finally the Open. The open can be an amateur open, where the handlers must be amateurs or an open all age where anyone including professional trainers can run. They also have limited open and special open tests for dogs that previously placed in an open stake or a first or second in a qualifying stake. This test is for the finished retriever. The test is extremely demanding requiring dogs to accomplish extremely difficult triple and quad marks. Very long blinds as well as fighting all sorts of factors. They also incorporate many retired guns, poison birds, and a slew of tricks to separate the dogs.

The field trials are a competitive event for the most skilled retrievers. There are several series being run in a weekend, trying to pick a winner. The awards given are first, second, third, fourth, and for dogs that finished but weren’t good enough to place, a judges award of merit. They also give out points towards the high point derby dog, and points towards titles such as AFC (amateur field championship), and FC (field championship).

Field trials use bird throwers with white coats and run from high vantage points trying to give the dog’s good vision. Two national events are held each year for those years’ best dogs. One for all the best qualifiers and one for the amateurs best dogs.

The AKC hunt tests are designed to be more of a hunting type test. They aren’t competitive but qualify for titles by achieving a set standard. This written standard scores the dog in four categories. Marking (memory), style, perseverance/courage/hunting, and trainability (steadiness, control, response & delivery). The average score in any one category must be at least a five with the total average required be a seven. A zero in any category means the dog is disqualified. With camo attire required, the bird throwers are generally hidden behind cover or blinds. The use of decoys and duck calls are the norm. The handlers will handle guns but do not shoot at the birds, only point the gun in the direction. Live flyer ducks are generally used.

There are three levels in an AKC hunt test. After attaining the required number of passed events the dog is awarded the specific title on his or her pedigree. Junior Hunter (JH) requires four passes, Senior Hunter (SH) requires four passes if already a Junior Hunter or five passes if the dog isn’t titled JH, and Master Hunter (MH) requires five passes if the dog is already a Senior Hunter otherwise six passes are required.

The Junior hunter level is for beginning retrievers; the marks are normally under a hundred yards and are fairly easy. Four single marks are the norm with two on land and two being thrown in water. The dog must also deliver to hand. You can restrain the dog on a lead during the test.

The Senior level is a big step from the Junior requiring much more demanding tests. The dogs are run off lead. Two double marks are thrown, one set in the water and one on land. The doubles usually incorporate a blind in the water as well as one in the land series. The blinds are normally outside the marks. Along with the double mark and blind, the test will also incorporate an honor, at least one walk-up, and a diversion, which maybe another thrown bird or just a gun shot.

And finally the Master level that is for the finished and complete retriever. This test is the most difficult with a water series, a land series, and a land/water series. This event requires two days to complete. The tests typically have triple or quad marks with single or double blinds mixed into the marks as well as two honors, a walk-up, poison birds, and diversions.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) hunt tests have limited entries and are always done in one day. The birds that are thrown are usually dead and launched from wingers. The handler shoots a live gun with blank loads at all bird stations. This is by far the most realistic hunting type situation. Decoys, camo, duck calls, boats, waders and all hunting equipment are normally used. To get your dog registered in the UKC simply contact them via the internet and fill out the application. This along with a copy of your dog’s original pedigree will qualify your dog to run events.

Here again are three levels ran with respective titles given to the dog visible only on a UKC pedigree. The Started level for young dogs, the Seasoned level for the intermediate dogs and the Finished level for the most advanced dogs.

The Started level is for young beginners requiring the dog to do simple single retrieves usually less than forty yards. The dog only has to deliver to the general area of the handler. They also can be restrained with a lead during the test.

The Seasoned level is for a much more advanced dog. A walk-up close single is thrown to show steadiness, then a pair of double retrieves are thrown, one on land and one in water. Blinds are set up with the marks but are generally no farther then forty yards.

The Finished level is for the most advanced dogs requiring triples with blinds planted under the arc of marks or in-line with birds the dog has previously picked up. They incorporate poison birds, honors, and walk-ups.

The only registry that provides all titles given to dogs (AKC, UKC, or NAHRA) on the pedigree is the North American Hunter Retriever Association (NAHRA). NAHRA founded by Richard Wolters and was really the first organization to run hunt tests. Their tests are also given in three levels similar to the AKC and UKC events. These tests also incorporate all the mechanics and equipment needed on a hunt.

There are cash events also available to run which are fairly new to the sport. The Super Retriever Events are popular at this time. The dogs that run these events can also qualify for the coveted ESPN outdoors games. This is a very politically correct event. They only use fake duck shaped dummies and the dogs are given points for mistakes they make. The dog with the fewest points wins.

If you’re going to start to run events, you’re going to have to start to train like you’re at an event. The mechanics and tools must be the same during training as they are at the event.

You’re going to have to purchase more equipment then you would if just trained for hunting. If you’re a member of a club, the club may purchase the equipment for you to use.

You will need holding blinds. Holding blinds are material blinds held up with poles to prevent the dog that’s waiting to run from seeing the test. Many times I see dogs acting unruly in the holding blinds at an event. Most likely the dog is associating the holding blind with the event. The only time the dog is in a holding blind is at an event. If you sit him behind a holding blind training, he will most likely be calmer behind one at an event.

At many events you have to run your dog from a mat. A mat is simply a piece of carpet or burlap thrown on the ground for the dog to run from. Most judges want the dog on the mat until he is released. If your dog isn’t used to running from a mat he most likely will not want to sit still on one.

Live birds are used in most hunt tests and field trials. The dogs that get lots of them verses dogs that get few are much more relaxed at the event. They get so many training that it’s no big deal to get them at a test. The ones that get few birds have a harder time maintaining their composure, concentrating, and remaining steady. I know as well as anybody that you can only do what you can do. Professional trainers use birds often and it shows. But we amateurs can only afford a few birds a month. By giving the dog live birds at the proper time can help. Giving him birds the day after an event will plant a seed that tells the dog training can be just as great as the event. But it still boils down to the more the merrier.

When throwing live flyers in training, keep a good balance. On a double or triple retrieve, use the flyer as the go-bird (last bird thrown). The theory is that the dog will be steady watching the first mark or marks and since the dog will really want the flyer he won’t have any problem with it. The problem with always doing that is he may be so cranked up that he could forget about the other marks. Also, if you get the flyer as the memory bird at an event he may be so used to always getting it first in training that he might have a tendency to switch when sent and then have a difficult time with the other marks. I like to balance my use of flyers. I like to use flyers on long difficult marks that are thrown first to get the dog to really remember that memory bird. I also like to use them on short marks in training thrown first. This instills steadiness as well as memory on the less desirable dead thrown bird. The majority of your flyers should be thrown first as the memory bird.

If you’re not in a large training group or have trouble finding bird throwers you may have to invest in automatic bird launchers. These units usually cost around five hundred to over a thousand dollars. You’ll will be able to simulate most tests with three of them.

If you’re running UKC hunt tests, you will be required to shoot at the birds with a real gun. During training you will certainly have to do this. Practice on gun handling as well as the dog getting used to you doing the shooting from the line is a must if running this type of event. Using poppers (12 gauge shotgun blank loads) as much as possible will get the dog used to hearing loud shots from the line as well as out at the bird stations. They don’t use 22 blanks and 209 primers at most field dog events, and even though they are more economical, they don’t provide as much noise creating less excitement.

The sounds at an event can also create the dog to be overly exited. They do have a field trial CD you can purchase to play loudly while training, simulating the sounds at a trial. After you have waited for a few minutes in the holding blind, bring the dog out of the holding blind walking up to another trainer or two, simulating the judges that will be there at the trial. Have the helpers yell "guns up" or "get ready". These are things the judges will say at an event.

Keep chairs and piles of birds or dummies on the line while training as they do in real events.

Always bring your dog up to the holding blind on a lead. Keep him on lead while waiting in the blind. Then take it off and slowly leave the blind keeping the dog under control. At a hunt test or field trial you normally will have your dog on a lead unless you’re running him.

By taking the time to set up holding blinds, using a lead when going to the holding blind, training with a group and shooting an occasional flyer your dog should be fine at an event. Hunt tests and field trials are great fun and provide awesome experience for your retriever. Give them a try and you might just get hooked.