Are you interested in entering a hunting competition with your bird dog? There are so many options that it can feel a little overwhelming. When I first started getting involved in bird dog tests, I hadn’t heard of many of the organizations listed below. Hopefully this post provides a good overview for people who are starting out, or looking to expand into other arenas.
The organizations I’ve included are the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), National Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), and the National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA). Each of their events has its own criteria I think the table format allows you to compare them based on your preferences.
Bird Dog Tests and Trials: Overview
| OVERVIEW | AGE LIMIT | JUDGING | HOW TO ACHIEVE A TITLE | WALKING OR HORSEBACK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Kennel Club (AKC) Hunt Tests | |||||
| Junior Hunt Tests | Entry-level test for young or inexperienced bird dogs. Field work only. | None | Judged against a standard | 4 passes = Junior Hunter (JH) title | Walking |
| Senior Hunt Tests | Requires some advanced steadiness and retrieving training. Field work only. | None | Judged against a standard | 5 passes = Senior Hunter (SH) title (or 4 with JH title) | Walking |
| Master Hunt Tests | A test for "finished" gun dogs. Field work only. | None | Judged against a standard | 6 passes = Master Hunter (MH) title (or 5 with SH title) | Walking |
| AKC Field Trials | |||||
| Puppy Stakes | Puppy should show desire to hunt but doesn't have to find birds. Field work only. | 6 months to 15 months | Competitive– judged against other dogs | 10 points needed for Field Champion (FC) title. 2 Puppy/Derby points can go toward title | Walking or horseback |
| Derby Stakes | Derby dogs should hunt and cover ground and must find birds and point. Field work only. | 6 months to 2 years | Competitive– judged against other dogs | 10 points needed for Field Champion (FC) title. 2 Puppy/Derby points can go toward title | Walking or horseback |
| Gun Dog Stakes | Stakes for "finished" bird dogs. Must point staunchly and be steady to shot. Field work only. | None | Competitive– judged against other dogs | 10 points needed for FC title. Additl req depends on breed: vizslas need 4 points from retrieving stakes | Walking or horseback |
| North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) Tests | |||||
| Natural Ability (NA) Test | A 3-part test looking at a young dog's natural abilities in the field, water, and tracking. | 16 months | Judged against a standard | Pass/fail, Prize I (highest), II, or III | Walking |
| Utility Preparatory Test (UPT) | A 4-part test for dogs who are working to become finished. | None | Judged against a standard | Pass/fail, Prize I (highest), II, or III | Walking |
| Utility Test (UT) | A 4-part test for a finished bird dog. Includes field work, an independent duck search, obedience, and retrieving. | None | Judged against a standard | Pass/fail, Prize I (highest), II, or III | Walking |
| National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA) Field Trials | |||||
| Field Trials | Dogs are paired in 30 minute braces and scored on number of bird finds. Field work only. | None | Competitive– judged against other dogs | To become a NSTRA Champion, dog needs 18 points, 9 of which must be first place wins | Walking |
| United Kennel Club (UKC) Field Trials | |||||
| Gun Class | Trial for beginning and intermediate gun dogs, field work only. | 6 months and older | Competitive– judged against other dogs | HUNT or GUN titles can be earned, based on various qualifications | Walking |
| Open Class | Trial for finished gun dogs, field work only. | 1 year and older | Competitive– judged against other dogs | Trialer or Champion of the Field titles can be earned, based on various qualifications | Walking |
The table above covers the basics of each type of bird dog test and trial and the one below gets into a little more the details of what is required. Please note that this is a high-level overview and there are a lot of little details that I’ve left out for simplicity’s sake. If you are interested in a specific type of competition, check out the organization’s website.
Bird Dog Tests and Trials: What is Required
| STEADINESS | RETRIEVING | RUN AS A BRACE | BACKING | OTHER NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Kennel Club (AKC) Hunt Tests | |||||
| Junior Hunt Tests | Should point, but steadiness not required | No | Yes | Not required | |
| Senior Hunt Tests | Steady to shot | Yes, with a few feet of the handler | Yes | Yes, but can be commanded into it | Dog must be picked up if it breaks before the shot or fails to honor at any point |
| Master Hunt Tests | Completely steady until released | Yes, to hand | Yes | Yes, without command | Dog must be picked up if it breaks before being released or fails to honor at any point |
| AKC Field Trials | |||||
| Puppy Stakes | Not required | No | Yes | Not required | Judged on style and running ability |
| Derby Stakes | Should point, but steadiness not required | No | Yes | Not required | Judged on style and running ability |
| Gun Dog Stakes | Completely steady until released | Only in "Retrieving Stakes" | Yes | Yes, without command | Judged on style and running ability |
| North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) Tests | |||||
| Natural Ability (NA) Test | Should point, but steadiness not required | No | No | No | Must swim to retrieve two bumpers and track a pheasant in addition to field work |
| Utility Preparatory Test (UPT) | Steady to shot | Yes, with a few feet of the handler | No | No | Slightly less stringent version of UT test |
| Utility Test (UT) | Completely steady until released | Yes, to hand | No | No | Earning a Prize 1 qualifies dog for yearly NAVHDA Invitational |
| National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA) Field Trials | |||||
| Field Trials | Steady to wing | Yes, to hand | Yes | If the opportunity presents, dog should back | Finding birds quickly is key. Handler is allowed to shoot their own birds. |
| United Kennel Club (UKC) Field Trials | |||||
| Gun Class | Steady to wing | Yes, in liberated bird trials | Can be a brace or singles | No | Doesn't seem like there are many events. |
| Open Class | Completely steady until released | Yes, in liberated bird trials | Can be a brace or singles | If the opportunity presents, dog should back | Doesn't seem like there are many events. |
Zara watches a bird fly away after I flushed it.
Tests I’ve Done with Zara
I have participated in AKC Junior and Senior Hunt Tests and the NAVHDA Utility Test with Zara. This fall and winter I hope to do AKC Master Hunt Tests and possibly AKC field trials and a NSTRA trial. Are you hoping to do any of these with your pointing dog? Let me know in the comments!
Also, I’m not as familiar with NSTRA or UKC events. If I’ve misrepresented anything in my tables, please let me know!
