Guidance on the procedure for judging...

[David]

the hunting ability of a spaniel.

This article has recently been published in the summer KC Ltd Field Trial News letter. I've had permission to reproduce this on the Tyne Tees and Tweed's website. I haven't had permission to post it directly on here though.

To read the article check the 'Latest Spaniel News' on the website http://www.tyneteestweedfta.com/ and follow the Read Me link. It might help give those looking to train their dogs to trial or test an idea of what the KC Ltd have endorsed with regards to how a spaniels hunting should be judged.

[t jack]

People who can't get their dogs to hunt closely are going to be rejoicing...

[Judy]

I can hear ya singing from here! To be fair it does mention 15 metres (or was it yards?) either side so not rampaging that far away. I spent a Summer attending Spaniel Training classes and not once were we told to use the wind when hunting, just wiper pattern in front of our feet, seemed odd to me at the time and no use at all for picking up.

[James]

People who can't get their dogs to hunt closely are going to be rejoicing...

lol, thats the easy bit, they are so close some of them that they cant go wrong. The handlers dont allow them to get out and find game as they should so when they do have a flush the handler is on top of the dog already so it cant move. Its getting stupid now, some of them only cover such a small beat you can do it with a stick and the handlers are covering as much ground as the dog. If its trained let it get out there and sort the job out simples

[Cynic]

People who can't get their dogs to hunt closely are going to be rejoicing...

And Shoe shiners will be worried

[Rothievale]

People who can't get their dogs to hunt closely are going to be rejoicing...

lol, thats the easy bit, they are so close some of them that they cant go wrong. The handlers dont allow them to get out and find game as they should so when they do have a flush the handler is on top of the dog already so it cant move. Its getting stupid now, some of them only cover such a small beat you can do it with a stick and the handlers are covering as much ground as the dog. If its trained let it get out there and sort the job out simples

Hear hear! It would seem the 'winning way' is to hunt so close that the dog isn't allowed to use the wind or hunt the width of two guns. When I watch some of these dogs/handlers I wonder whether they actually have faith in the dogs game finding ability? And before I get told 'these are the dogs that are winning' in my book that doesn't make it right. No doubt, like the preference for whiter spaniels then changing to ones with more colour, this 'trend' will hopefully go full circle too.

[t jack]

So why don't you all do it?

[James]

So why don't you all do it?

do what, get out and hunt? theres plenty of things you could say about my dogs im sure but hunting as though they were on a short bit of string isnt one of them lol

[t jack]

So why don't you all do it?

do what, get out and hunt? theres plenty of things you could say about my dogs im sure but hunting as though they were on a short bit of string isnt one of them lol

Wasn't aimed specifically at you, but if the shoeshiners are winning, why doesn't everyone adopt that method?

[James]

because its only small pockets I hope but as some do well like that the fear is the judging will allow it to creep in more and more. who wants to watch a spaniel so tight its not doing the job, I dont thats for sure. Theres nothing better than watching a proper hard going well trained spaniel smashing cover looking like its on the edge but infact its bang on. I know which one I would rather be stood behind thats for sure.