Field Trial Dogs

Field Trial Dogs – In the Red Hills of South Georgia, it has been a tradition since the early 18th century to hunt Bobwhite Quail behind pointer dogs. So much so that the training and testing of world-class bird dogs in the region’s Longleaf Pine Forests is as ingrained in local culture as sweet tea and fried okra. However, despite their rich history in dog training, many top authorities on the subject have been barred from competing in close events for nearly 200 years because of the color of their skin. That all changed in 1981, when Neal Carter Jr. and others decided to establish the Blackbird Dog Handlers Field Trial.

It’s the first Monday in March, which means one thing for Durrell Smith – he’s got an early morning and a long day ahead of him. Atlanta born and raised, the 32-year-old leaves The Big A at 2 A.M. every year on this day to arrive in Thomasville, GA before sunrise. Thomasville, a four-hour drive south, is the Bobwhite Quail Capital of the World. However, Durrell is not expecting to bag his limit of the prized game bird. He is looking for another quarry placement or Championship, which is awarded to the best dog trainer and the best pointer dog team competing in the Blackbird Dog Handler Field Trial.

Field Trial Dogs

Durrell is considered one of the best young guns at the club in his first year competing in that field trial (due to the pandemic in the previous two years). It doesn’t get any easier to be the tournament champion. The club’s membership continues to grow with newcomers like Durrell, and established members like Neal Carter Jr. and Curtis Brooks Sr. continue to compete for the best place.

Cocker Spaniels In The Field

Neal and Curtis are purebred dog men. Not only has it been their profession for over 50 years – dog training is in their DNA. Their fathers, grandfathers, and uncles were experts in hunting companion training. They were among the best in the region and, according to a prosecutor, in the country. But because they were Black, they were banned from participating in the Georgia and North Florida dog testing contests. Neal and Curtis were subjected to this same treatment early in their lives, but in 1981, they had a breakthrough, along with several other dogs from neighboring plantations. They had the knowledge and the dogs, and they knew many other black dog trainers who were facing the same obstacles – why not create their own dog grooming club and field trial?

Founded 41 years ago as the only outlet for blacks to compete at a high level in the world of bird dog field training, the club’s mission is now focused on fostering a sense of community among black foreigners and women while supporting the next generation of Africans. Americans are high dog trainers and hunters. If the growing popularity and size of the club is any indication of the future, they are just getting started.

When the club gets together to train together throughout the year, it’s about collaboration. That quickly turns into competition on the morning of the field trial. The incident occurred on one of Georgia’s 150 remaining operating plantations in the Red Hills region. Due to the climate and soil, this area thrives on native Longleaf pines – the cover of choice for White Poles. All are welcome to watch the event, which attracts more than 100 spectators each year, although you must be Black to compete. Almost 50 men compete – with several women currently training for future trials – and judges from all backgrounds watch the competition.

Two dog handlers and their respective dogs (called a pair brace) have exactly thirty minutes to prove why they are the best in the show. The judges follow closely behind them, evaluating the number of short cuts a dog finds, how much quality the dog gets, and whether they respect another dog’s point, among other things. Behind the judges, all the spectators and competitors, who are not currently showing off their skills, are on horseback or traveling in style in a covered wagon, in the same way as it was done two centuries earlier .

Born To Track Blog: 2013 Dachshund Club Of America National Field Trial

Today’s traveling Dixie circus, the sounds of friendly southern hooves and horses’ hooves mingle with excited calls of dog commands and English Tips yelling through the brush – a cacophony of southern traditions.

The juxtaposition of African-American men celebrating their sacred culture on plantation is not lost, and the venue may be inappropriate for those outside the club circle. For the vast majority of American history, the word “plantation” has clear connections to slavery. However, it is a more nuanced conversation for black dog trainers in the south. The surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865 signaled the end of the South’s slave-based economic model. Wealthy northerners bought plantations that could not continue operations after the civil war, intending to use the properties as hunting retreats where they could also escape the cold during the winter months.

Thomasville escaped the war unscathed and was the southernmost stop on the railway lines at the time. These factors, along with the abundance of quail, made the area ideal for Yankee snowbirds. Freed slaves were offered jobs to train dogs, break horses, and hunt. And so began the rich history of blackbird dog trainers.

“We want to get the word out,” said Durrell, explaining why the trials are taking place on plantations. “We are a club of traditionalists. The trials were done on plantations. These traits are what gave rise to the bloodlines of the Blackbird dog trainers. We celebrate the dog trainers of the past and shape the next generation from where it started.”

Retriever Working Tests Results 2021

You’d think the five-year gap between the club’s oldest and youngest rivals would create an atmosphere akin to a family reunion, but it’s far more passive. The camaraderie, energy and sense of community on display at the Blackbird Dog Handlers Field Trial is reminiscent of the brotherhood of many years. Every time the club gathers and cuts loose their dogs to track the famous Red Hill Poles, they aim to accomplish three things – honor those who came before them; take other running dog trainers; and blaze the trail for those who will join their ranks in the future. Posted by Mel Reveles on January 21, 2012 · Comments Off on What are the AKC breed tests and titles for pointer breeds?

What are the AKC hunting tests and titles for pointer breeds (Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter and Master Hunter)? First, AKC hunting tests are games (like field trials) that you can play with your bird dogs.   They can be seen as a great way to extend the birding seasons and are a great place to… Continue reading →

Filed under AKC Field Trials, AKC Hunt Trials, AKC Performance Events, Dog Training, Hunting, Sports, Training Gun Dogs / Bird Dogs / Point Dogs · Tagged with American Kennel Club, support, finished gun dog, lock broke, honor, Junior Hunter , Master Hunter, polished gun dog, recovery in hand, recovery, Senior Hunter, stability, stable to wing, stable to wing and shot

Posted by Mel Reveles on May 3, 2011 · Comments Off on What Exactly Is This “Field Trial” Business About Anyway? Basics of AKC Field Trials

Trial Dates 2024

What is an AKC “field test”? AKC sanctioned field trials are events where dogs compete against each other for points toward Field Championship and/or Amateur titles. There are field trials for show, breed and flush breeds.  The abbreviation for “Field Champion” is FC and AFC for “Amateur Field Champion”.   Because the… Continue reading →

Filed under AKC Conformity Shows , AKC Field Trials , AKC Hunt Tests , AKC Performance Events , Hunting , Gun Dog / Bird Dog / Point Dog Training , Vizslas · Tagged with AKC Field Championship titles , endorsement , broken gun , Derby Stakes , Dual Champion , Finished Gun Dog, Vizslas Fusion, Gun Dog Pledge, Honor, Junior Hunter, Master Hunter, Non-Retrieval Pledge, Puppy Pledge, Retrieve Pledge, Senior Hunter

Posted by Mel Reveles on March 9, 2011 · Comments deleted What does proper honor or “return” (pointing dogs) look like?

Here’s a short clip from a training session over the weekend: This is what proper honor looks like.  We see so many bad honors, we were encouraged to post a proper, elegant look.  If I were to joke, I would say that Trip (the honorary Vizsla) could be improved… Continue reading →

Field Trial Information

Filed under AKC Field Trials, AKC Hunt Tests, AKC Performance Events, Dog Training, Hunting, Gun Dog / Bird Dog / Point Dog Training, Vizslas · Tagged with AKC field trials, AKC hunt tests, support, broken gun dog, finished gun dog , Fusion Vizslas, Gun Dog Pledge, honor, Junior Hunter, Master Hunter, retrieve in hand, take training, recover, Senior Hunter, fixed flush, fixed shoot, fixed to wing, fixed to wing and shoot, trained retrieve, whoa , whoa training Why don’t we Read Black Friday Point and Retrieve – Field Trial Update 8 minutes Next The Roll Mat

Yogi is currently sidelined with a sore leg, which means that so far this season, Île has had all the action. Activity is scarce as most of the day is spent standing around tweaking the world of field testing. Everyone thinks so

Field trial paint table, field trial training for dogs, field trial bird dogs, field & trial dog food, field trial dogs for sale, field trial labradors, field trial dog training, field trial puppy food, field trial supplies, field trial blankets, field trial, field trial dog food