Can someone please explain the difference to me.

Field Trials are a competitive test of working gundogs. Working Trials, very simply discribed are tests of dogs abilities to search, track, jump and in the final class do manwork as a police dog would be expected to do. Do you mean Working Trials or Gundog Working Tests? A Gundog Working Test is similar to a Field Trial but using canvas dummies rather than birds so are normally a summer sport whereas Field Trials can only be held (As far as retrievers are concerned) during the shooting season

Best wishes, John

Hi John, Thanks for your reply, I am not sure if it is Working Trials or Gundog Working Tests. I have 4 labs and intend showing the two younger ones when old enough, and I want to show one of them as a working dog. I have never shown a dog before but I have worked a dog, my ESS was a Field Trial competitor, bred from Champion FT's.
I have never worked a lab before and have booked a consultation next week with a WT trainer. I need to know what exactly it is that I need to do for showing. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Kay

If you are hoping one day to make him into a full champion then it is gundog work that you need. Start by going to gundog training and when good enough try out in a Gundog Working Test. Your dog will eventually have to graduate to retrieving game but to qualify it will not need to attain quite the level of a field trials dog.

Best wishes, John

Thanks John, Yes I am hoping he has what it takes to make full champion, both his father and grandfather are full champions, Norwegian and Int.  I have spoken to the gentleman today, and he suggested Gundog Training, but will not take him until he is 6 months as he does residential training. I have made a few enquiries and I am finding difficulty in finding gundog training classes in my area, seems to be basic obedience and ringcraft only. I anyone out there knows of any classes in a 50 mile radius of me (Lockerbie) SW Scotland, I would really appreciate it. Bailey is now 13 weeks and I would like to get started asap. He is really keen but I am needing training myself as I dont want to make mistakes that have to be rectified later.

Many thanks
Kay

<<I anyone out there knows of any classes in a 50 mile radius of me >>

I've asked the question on another board Kay. If I get any answers I'll let you know. Unfortunatly your a bit out of my area (About 500miles ;) )

Best wishes, John

Would the URC go that far? Failing that you could do what my friend did, start your own classes. She organised them and they all clubbed together to pay a trainer to come and take the classes. At the age your pup is you do have time on your side and the most important training to get right is the obedience training. John modest chap that he is has written a book on this topic available from the lab rescue. Contact Mattie for a book.

Thanks Polly, have PM'd Mattie for info on getting book, many thanks for all your help,

Kay

Hi Kay.

I have a couple of names for you but as they stand I think they will be too far away. The thing is, working gundog tend to be a close knit community and people know other people. The meet up at working tests and the like and of course talk training!! So a phone call may well give you another phone number nearer to where you are.

Try SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND GUNDOG ASSOCIATION, Phone
Mrs E Stewart in Ayeshire on 01505 820270

Another possibility is The Northern Area of the United Retriever Club,
Phone Mrs S Coomber-Smith in Carlisle on 01228 577066

I believe the Northern Area of the URC have two training grounds, one in northern England and the other in Southern Scotland.

Someone else worth talking to is Mrs A M Pollock of the LABRADOR CLUB OF SCOTLAND
Phone 01563 820270

Best wishes, John