NEWS Gundog trials put hounds to test
THE retrieving trial season for gundogs kicked off last Sunday with the Palmerston Gundog Club at Howard Springs.
There are two types of event. A beginners’ event is called a Retrieving Ability Test for Gundogs (RATG) and then stepping up to a Retrieving Trial (RT).
A retrieving trial is an event at which competitions for the working of registered gundogs are conducted on land and in or through water to determine their relative merits in the field under conditions which emulate as closely as possible those which would be found while hunting, but at the same time bring the work of each dog within an ambit of equality where assessment may be fairly made.
The function of a retriever is to seek and retrieve fallen game, when ordered to do so.
It should sit quietly with the handler or in the hide, walk at heel, or assume any station designated by the handler, until sent to retrieve.
When ordered a dog should retrieve quickly and briskly without unduly disturbing too much ground.
It should deliver tenderly to hand and then await further orders from the handler.
The scores allow trainers to accurately assess the ability of their dog when scrutinised.
It is great fun for both the dog and handler in the hunting off season.
It maintains a close bond to your dog for the entire year.
Five dogs competed consisting of labrador retrievers, cocker spaniel and nova scotia duck tolling retrievers.
The winner, Sarah Baker’s cocker, “Albionshore Seraphinas Journey” put in an almost faultless effort to win the first of six RATGs this year.
Second was Merrilyn Robb’s lab, “Jevelara One and Only”.
The next RATG is on April 5 with an RT two weeks later.
This morning mass practice is on at NT Field and Game from 9am until noon. They will also hold a 50-target Simulated Field clay shooting event next Sunday from 8am at the Mickett Creek Shooting Complex range, Brandt Rd, Knuckey Lagoon on Five Stand Sporting clays, skeet and simulated field.
Practice is available every Friday from 4pm until late. All are welcome.