Field Trials and Working Gundogs
 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 us seek out birds and rabbits for the table. A great many still help us in shooting and hunting today.
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, this friendly and relaxed sport may be just what you are looking for. If you want to own a dog capable of performing at a day’s shooting you are more likely to succeed if it comes from working stock.
Some dogs which have been bred for the show scene, or simply as pets, may have lost much of their working and hunting instinct, which is vital in Working Gundogs. You will need to be dedicated to developing your dog as a working animal as, not only will it require a lot of training, but also Working Gundogs can be more demanding than a pet, or show dogs.They need plenty of exercise off the lead and their minds need to be kept active by working in the field.
A Show Gundog that has won certain awards in the show ring can also enter for a Show Gundog Working Certificate if it is able to demonstrate a good standard of working ability relevant to its breed.
Extract from the Kennel Club 2009 | 
