Guildford Working Gundog Club
Kennel Club ID No 700
Field Trials
The Club normally runs at least 3 Field Trials each season to include one 2-day Open Field Trial, with the winner qualifying for a place at the annual International Gundog League Championship, and a mixture of Novice and All Aged Field Trials. The Field Trial schedule is e-mailed to members (unless specifically requested by post) in July/August each year and a link to it will be included on this website when it is available.
Click here for the 2024/25 Field Trial schedule.
Click here for the 2024/25 Field Trial results.
Click here for the 2023/24 Field Trial results.
Click here for the 2022/23 Field Trial results.
The following is guidance for those new to trialling/novice handlers. We strongly recommend that you consider each of these statements carefully before entering a Field Trial since you should be able to answer "Yes" to each one:
- I have helped at a Field Trial
- My dog is steady, off the lead, when another dog is sent for a retrieve
- I have had my dog out on shooting days
- My dog has picked dead and wounded game
- My dog is steady to shot off the lead
- I have read and understand the most recent copy of the J Regulations governing Field Trials
- As far as I am aware, my dog has no recurring eliminating faults as identified in the J Regulations
If you (or your dog) do not meet these criteria please refrain from entering a Field Trial until you are able to do so. If you are uncertain about what is required, please contact a Kennel Club Panel Judge, a Field Trial Secretary or discuss this with a trainer who has experience of Field Trials.
Being sent for a retrieve
Judge giving instructions at the 2023 2-day Open
Field Trials are very popular, attract hundreds of competitors and are still very much part of our countryside sports. If you have a love and understanding of the countryside and like to see dogs working as they were intended to, then trialling may be just what you are looking for. Field Trials attract a large number of entries and the entrants are therefore subject to a ballot. Those members who are lucky enough to get a run in one of our trials will go to the bottom of the draw for any other trials of the same standard during the same season. However, don't despair if your name comes out quite low down in the draw because it is not unusual to get a run as people qualify out of the stake, their bitches come into season or, occasionally, people or their dogs are unwell.
A drive at a Field Trial
Field Trials have developed to test the working ability of gundogs in competitive conditions. Trials resemble, as closely as possible, a day’s shooting in the field and dogs are expected to work with all manner of game from rabbits and hares to partridges and pheasants. Many of our best loved breeds were traditionally developed to help man in hunting. Labrador Retrievers gathered game in the field, Cocker Spaniels flushed and retrieved game, Pointers and Setters ranged over the fields helping to seek out birds and rabbits for the table. A great many still help us in shooting and hunting today.
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