Ferns Field Trial Forays

[Naj]

I've always enjoyed reading your write-ups, Scott, and I hope that, given time to reflect, you'll feel that you got a lot out of your trialling experience. As you say, if you're going to commit to the substantial time & expense involved in campaigning a dog then it needs to be sound in all departments. I don't think many realise how many dogs the top guys go through before they get that star performer. But you're dead right. There's much more to gundogs than field trials, & enjoying your dogs is what it's all about. It's supposed to be fun, but it's all too easy to forget that. So thanks for your entertaining diaries & good luck with wherever your dogs now take you.

Naj

[Amberquest]

I've always enjoyed reading your write-ups, Scott, and I hope that, given time to reflect, you'll feel that you got a lot out of your trialling experience. As you say, if you're going to commit to the substantial time & expense involved in campaigning a dog then it needs to be sound in all departments. I don't think many realise how many dogs the top guys go through before they get that star performer. But you're dead right. There's much more to gundogs than field trials, & enjoying your dogs is what it's all about. It's supposed to be fun, but it's all too easy to forget that. So thanks for your entertaining diaries & good luck with wherever your dogs now take you.

Naj

I've got a hell of a lot out of it Naj, friends, training tips and been on some truly stunning ground in the process.

Like you say, talking to a guy over the weekend who's trialled for years and qualified for the champs numerous times, there's no point travelling on a maybe. It's advice I listened to at the start, but thought what the heck. I think now I have a far better understanding of whats required and when I get my next pups I'll no doubt train them as I would a trial dog, if they're good enough I'll run them. If not, I'll use them for shooting etc.

You're right in what you say about folk going through dogs. True, some people get lucky and get a trial dog at their first stab, but far more get moved on. However for me, I just can't. Spending nearly 4 years with these dogs, hours of training in all weathers, miles up and down the country and ultimately forming a bond I don't think I could sell any one of them.

[EssGrouse]

Just need get you a proper spaniel now.......Springers rule and cockers drule as Vic says haha

[Stihl 090]

Well done Scott for holding in, looking back I recall you nearly stopped a while ago. As noted above, trials are the pinnicle of the doggy game. But for those of us who have to deal with the hand given, I too would struggle to sell a dog just because he didn't make the grade.
I ran my first open last week, had a great first run the shortest ive ever had and an unlucky second run with the dog having a retreive dropped within 40+ birds in cover that where constantly flushing, that however wasnt my down fall. As the dog returned a loose bird was shot forward, dog stopped to shot and put the bird down that too was a long four and half hour drive home thinking about his Lordships actions!!!

But just this week I've had a great time shooting over my dog nothing of which can compete.

Enjoy your dogs, and good luck for any future career in the sport, and of course the wedding!

S

[Naj]

A pal of mine never sold dogs on but just worked with what he'd got. He trained all his spaniels to trials standard but their bread & butter work was beating, picking-up & roughshooting under his own gun. If he happened to have one that was good enough he trialled it. He made up FTChs & FTWs & went on to judge the Spaniel Championships a few years ago. So it can be done without turning over lots of dogs.

Naj

[Rascal]

Sorry to read that Scott as I too have always enjoyed your write ups and your writing style always made me feel like I was there with you.

If it's gotten to the point where it's taking your enjoyment of your dogs away though then I think you've made the right decision...For now....

But selfishly I hope to read some more sometime in the future.

Rascal

[Mike A]

i will miss your updates . I hope you decide to keep us informed (in you excellent style ) the enjoyment you get from working your dogs

Mike

[Stacia]

Even a Labrador owner found your 'blog' very interesting, well written so that I felt I was there at the trial. I shall miss reading about your trialing, perhaps you could do the same for a shoot day/training?

[Mike A]

Even a Labrador owner found your 'blog' very interesting, well written so that I felt I was there at the trial. I shall miss reading about your trialing, perhaps you could do the same for a shoot day/training?

As a lab owner anything about spaniels must be very exciting !

[Judy]

Sorry J.