Spaniel field trials represent the ultimate test of a working spaniel’s natural hunting abilities and refined training. Far removed from the conformation show ring, these events take place in the rugged outdoors, simulating as closely as possible a real day’s shooting. The goal isn’t just about finding birds; it’s about showcasing the intelligence, drive, scenting ability, and partnership between dog and handler required to efficiently locate, flush, and retrieve game birds under demanding conditions.
At its heart, a spaniel trial evaluates how effectively a dog works in front of its handler to find and flush game (typically pheasants or partridges) within gun range. The dogs, primarily English Springer Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels bred from working lines, are expected to demonstrate a specific set of skills honed through generations of selective breeding and dedicated training.
The Core Skills on Display
Watching a well-trained spaniel work a field trial course is a thrilling experience. Their energy is infectious, but it’s controlled energy, directed towards a specific purpose. Several key skills are assessed by the judges:
Quartering Pattern
This is the foundation of a spaniel’s ground coverage. The dog should hunt eagerly, working back and forth in a windscreen-wiper pattern in front of the handler, covering the ground systematically. The ideal pattern keeps the dog within comfortable shotgun range (typically 20-30 yards to either side of the handler) and ensures no patch of cover likely to hold game is missed. The dog needs to respond promptly to hand signals and whistle commands to adjust its pattern according to the terrain and wind direction.
Finding Game
This relies heavily on the spaniel’s natural scenting ability and hunting instinct. Judges look for dogs that hunt with pace and determination, using the wind intelligently to pick up bird scent. A good trial dog is persistent, pushing into thick cover where birds might be hiding, demonstrating courage and a relentless desire to find game. It’s not just about speed, but about efficiency and effectiveness in locating birds.
The Flush
Once a bird is located, the spaniel must commit to flushing it decisively. This requires boldness. The dog should drive in purposefully, forcing the bird into the air for the waiting ‘Guns’ (the designated shooters in the trial). A hesitant flush, or one where the dog points or sets, is not desired in spaniel work. Equally, a wild, uncontrolled flush that takes the dog too far out is undesirable. It needs to be a positive, controlled action.
Steadiness: The Hallmark of Training
This is arguably the most critical element of control judged in a trial. When a bird flushes, the spaniel must immediately stop and sit (often referred to as ‘hup’). It must remain seated while the bird flies away (‘steady to wing’) and while the shot is fired (‘steady to shot’). The dog should not move until commanded by the handler to retrieve, if a retrieve is required. Chasing after the flushed bird (‘running in’) is a major fault and often leads to elimination.
Steadiness is non-negotiable in Spaniel Field Trials. A dog must remain seated (‘hupped’) the instant a bird flushes and stay put while the bird flies and the gun is fired. Moving without command, especially chasing the bird, is termed ‘running in’ and is a serious eliminating fault. This discipline ensures safety, control, and demonstrates the highest level of training. Judges scrutinize steadiness with utmost attention.
Marking and Retrieving
If a bird is shot, the dog may be required to retrieve it. A key skill is ‘marking’ – watching the bird fall and remembering its location. On command, the dog should go directly and swiftly to the area of the fall, locate the bird quickly, pick it up gently without damaging it, and return promptly to the handler, delivering the bird tenderly to hand. Sometimes, a dog may be sent for a ‘blind retrieve’, where it did not see the bird fall, relying entirely on the handler’s directions via whistle and hand signals to find the game. This tests trust and trainability to a high degree.
The Trial Environment
Field trials are typically run on estates with good game-holding cover, such as beet fields, woodlands, or bracken banks. A trial usually involves two judges, the handlers with their dogs, official Guns (experienced shooters who shoot the flushed game cleanly), stewards, bird stewards (who carry and dispatch game), and a ‘gallery’ of spectators.
The competitors form a ‘line’ and walk across the field, with dogs working out front under the judges’ watchful eyes. Only one or two dogs run at a time (‘under the judges’). The judges observe the dog’s hunting, flushing, steadiness, and retrieving. The Guns are positioned strategically to take safe shots at flushed birds. Safety is absolutely paramount throughout the event.
Judging Criteria
Judges are looking for the dog that best demonstrates the qualities of an ideal shooting companion. They assess:
- Natural Ability: Hunting drive, pace, style, courage in cover, scenting ability.
- Trainability: Responsiveness to commands, steadiness, controlled retrieve.
- Efficiency: Finding and producing game effectively.
- Style: An enthusiastic and attractive manner of working.
Faults that might penalise a dog include poor quartering, missing game, being noisy (whining or barking), failing to stop on flush, chasing, hard mouth (damaging the bird), or refusal to enter cover. The severity of the fault determines the penalty, ranging from minor marks down to elimination from the stake.
Springer vs. Cocker Styles
While both English Springer Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels compete, they often exhibit slightly different working styles reflecting their historical roles.
English Springer Spaniels: Generally cover more ground, often with a higher head carriage and a bolder pattern. They are powerhouses, expected to hit cover hard and push through dense vegetation.
English Cocker Spaniels: Typically hunt closer to the handler with a lower-to-the-ground, intense, busy action. Their smaller size allows them to penetrate very thick, low cover effectively, sometimes finding game in places a larger dog might overlook. Their tails rarely stop wagging when they are on scent.
Both breeds are required to demonstrate the core skills of finding, flushing, steadiness, and retrieving.
Getting Involved
For those captivated by the idea of working a spaniel in this dynamic sport, the first step is connecting with breed clubs or field trial societies. These organizations often run training days and novice events. It’s crucial to acquire a puppy from proven working lines, as show-bred spaniels generally lack the innate hunting drive required. Basic obedience is the foundation, followed by specialized gundog training focusing on hunting patterns, steadiness, and retrieving. Patience, consistency, and understanding the dog’s natural instincts are key to success.
Spaniel field trials are more than just a competition; they are a celebration of the breed’s heritage and purpose. They ensure that the remarkable working abilities of these intelligent dogs are preserved for future generations, fostering a deep connection between handler, dog, and the natural world.
