The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial in America by Cheryl Sligar

The first English Springer Spaniel was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1910, but it wasn’t until 1922 that the first American club for springers was organized. The name of the club was called the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, and this club, now the Parent Club of the breed, is still in existence today. The founders of the ESSFTA organized the first English Springer Spaniel field trial which was held on October 1924, at Fishers Island, New York. Today, there are more than 50 Field Trial Clubs in the United States, sponsoring spaniel trials throughout the spring and fall months. (For listings of these clubs, you can visit the AKC web site at www.akc.org)

The spaniel field trial was created as a competitive venue for people who share common interests; the love of the hunting spaniel, and of course, a strong competitive spirit. So many field trialers started as seasonal bird hunters, and by some accident, came in contact with field trialers who helped train their young dog. The realization that by field trialing, one can hunt birds six to eight months out of the year and train their dogs with birds the rest of the year, is very appealing to the sportsman who previously was limited to a very short season of hunting with their dogs. Many field trialers are still avid hunters, but now they can enjoy the sport year round. The bird of choice for spaniel field trials is the pheasant. Pen-raised birds are released or “planted” in the field to give the competing dogs equal opportunity to find game. The dogs work in braces on parallel courses, guided by their handlers and each being watched carefully by an AKC Licensed Judge. Each dog must work its own course, without interfering, and honoring each others finds by “hupping” when the birds are flushed into the air. When the dog on one course flushes a bird, it must stop all forward motion once the bird is airborne, and then it must wait until it is sent by the handler, upon the judge’s request, to retrieve the shot bird. The dog on the other course must also stop all motion at the time the other dog’s bird is shot. After the retrieve is completed, each dog continues on for its next contact. All competing dogs have a chance to be seen by each judge separately by completing two series, unless of course, they do something to disqualify themselves. After the first two series are completed, the top dogs are called back to a third series, with both judges watching simultaneously. Four placements are awarded at the end of trial with the points going toward a Field or Amateur Field Championship, depending on which stake is being held.

Usually, on one weekend, the sponsoring club will hold an Open All Age Stake, Amateur All Age Stake and a Puppy Stake. Puppy Stakes are for dogs who are less than two years of age, and pigeons are planted in the field. The puppies must be steady to wing and shot and run one at a time under two judges. There are no championship points awarded for this stake, although trophies and ribbons are given to the placing puppies. Competing in a Puppy Stake is an excellent way to introduce a young dog to the field trial game as well as a great place for a beginner handler to start.

The springers competing in a trial are scored on their ability and desire to find game, their use of wind, their response to their handlers commands, their ability to flush and mark shot game, their steadiness to wing and shot, and their tenderness of mouth. These qualities are the same qualities that we should all be seeking in our hunting companions, whether they are field trial dogs or personal hunting dogs. In either case, the bond between handler and dog should be strong and trusting to insure many years of enjoyment in the field, no matter which field you choose to play in.

   Recommended reading:
Spaniels for Sport by Talbot Radcliffe, 1969, The Harmsworth Press, reissued in 1988 by The Boydell Press

The AKC Rules for Spaniel Field Trials, Published by the AKC, www.akc.org