As to not further derail the GPS thread maybe it's a good idea to start another.

It was posted that the traits I look for in a dog are not traits sought after by field trilaers and vice -versa.

I'm not sure about that.The only trait I can see that may be different is range.And this I am not so sure about either. A dog that does an awesome water search is a dog that does an awesome field search,which means ranging and cooperation.

What traits are sought after by field trialers?

I am under the impression that the purpose of field trialing is to make better foot hunting dogs. Am I correct?

Francine

Intelligence, biddability, trainability, independence (the ability to do it's job well without constant supervision), speed, style, grace, and most of all the ability to find wild birds in their natural habitat presuming they were available on the grounds.

I foot hunt with Moose, Abbey, Bullett, Flash, Duke, Annie, and the rest of my trial dogs. Here is a link to some pictures of "trial dogs" doing what they do when they are not at trials.

Not only are my "trial dogs" used for upland and duck hunting we also use them quite effectively for hog hunting and to track and trail wounded large game such as deer, hogs, and turkey.

http://wildrosegermanshorthairs.com/versatile.htm

I admittedly got into trialing in something of a reverse to most trialers. I took dogs bred from generations of foot hunting dogs and started trialing with them. Oddly enough I did so quite successfully.

I concur with Charlie's list of desired traits. Don't think I saw "endurance" so I would add that too.

Jean

Quote:

All traits listed are all the traits looked for in good hunting dogs.

That's exactly right. And yes absolutely a field trial dog has to have confidence and the ability to adjust range to the cover being worked.

A field trial dog that doesn't adjust it's range to the cover and terrain appropriately will never do much placing much less winning.  Biddable means a dog that willingly does it's handler's bidding and is looking to please.

Which requires more athletic ability, a dog that can range out five hundred yards in flat open terrain or one that can climb a thousand feet of steep, rocky terrain or more while hunting the course appropriately in a thirty  minute stake?  Depending on where you are trialing a dog may well be required to do both in the same brace.  Both require a whole lot more athleticism than working at a trot for a half hour and never getting out of sight or even gun range.

 

Since the all time leading producer of UT 1 dogs is a Field Trial Bred GSP(who also carries the titles VC, FC, AFC, and MH) it appears that at least on this forum, only you have a problem with understanding and appreciating dogs that don't carry that wonderful DK stamp.

Your distaste for the versatile aspect of the breed and the people who seek to continue the versatility is sad.

Your sole purpose since the begining of  my time here on this forum has been to discredit me and all versatiles. The fire burning in you can not be healthy.

just my observations,

have a nice day

 Hi Pixie,

I hope you don't mind if I chime in.  I've owned GSPs for well over 25 years now.  My husband and I consider our first GSP to be our first born child.  I got my start in the sport of dogs from NAVHDA.  I spent many years with the organization and learned so much.  I am very appreciative of the NAVHDA folks I learned from.

From reading some of your posts, I'm pretty sure I once shared your feelings about FT dogs.  I just didn't think they were the dogs for me. 

I'm going to leave out my life story ..  but to bring you to present time, I now live for the field trial dog.  I call them "my drug of choice" because I love them so much and the sport gives me such an adrenaline rush.  I have found the American Field Trial lines to be all that I have ever dreamed of all the years I owned GSPs.  They are very mentally sound, do all that I ask and more.  I have no doubts that IF I CHOSE to test them in the NAVHDA system they would excell.  I have never had better behaved dogs living in my home.  They are a joy to train and work with and they look to me to teach them more ... they ask for it.

I'm going to stop myself from rambling and end with whatever activity we chooose to do with our dogs does not matter so much as that we enjoy ourselves and the dogs enjoy themselves.  In the end the greatest gift we cn give these dogs is a sense of purpose.  The gift they give to us is they enrich our lives with unconditional love.

Computer postings can be tough to interpet, but I have to admit your posts can come across as being critical of FT dogs.  Please don't judge .... just know be they couch potato, show dog, FT dog or super hunting dog, they are all equal ...they are all loved.

Doris 

IT WOULD BE SHOOTER CLYDES OLD STUD DOG OUT OF HUSTLERS

I think this might vary some by where and what you're likely to hunt. Out here in eastern WA chukkar hunting on foot is fairly popular. The terrain, distances that have to be covered, lack of water, basalt & cactus, etc. are notoriously brutal. Dogs that don't have drive, endurance, and range will probably fold before the people do (and heaven help you, the darn chukkar are completely unphased!).

If you do a google image search on "Yakima Canyon", "Whiskey Dick wildlife area", "Quilomene wildlife area", and/or "Colockum wildlife area" you can get a taste for just how vast and rugged these places are. In fairness, folks from back east tend to have a brain explosion the first time they visit, lol.

I do not think a Hustler bred dog has ever won anything AA.  But usually goes a Gun Dog or Shooting dog run.  I have always been about the foot hunting GSP and have gone from NSTRA to AKC Walking trials (occasional horse back) and find they are not much different if you have a competitive dog. Our Fritz has proven all of this, and to be a great wild bird dog too.  I have several dogs from partly Hustler lines that are placing pretty regular.  Fritz went from NSTRA, to finishing his FC in 2 months, to Master Hunter, to NAVHDA UT,  and back to FT's to finisg his AFC and place in the Amateur Nat'l (2nd) with Chuck Parietti.  Thats about as versatile as it gets.

Francine, I have never said anything that even intimates I am trying "discredit versatiles".  My dogs are the definition of versatile and I enjoy them immensely.  As for discrediting yourself, all I ever do is point out facts.

FC/AFC Dr. N's CJ MH "Cecil".