Dogs have always been hunters’ best companions. You can still find interesting activities for your hunting dog by reading our guide to bird dog competitions. Today hunters still train their dogs to flush out birds as they run tens of miles with no issues.
Bird dog competitions can be walking field trails resembling the actual hunt where the dogs walk through a predetermined course. With the observation of judges, the dog will point to a bird. The handler then shoots at blank or actually shoots the bird, and the dog is moved on. In shoot and retrieve competitions, the bird has to be retrieved.
Lots of hunting dog owners might not understand the difference between a field trail and a hunt test. Both can be done when the actual hunting season is off, or when you simply want to keep your dog in shape. Participating in these competitions is real fun for you and your dog, but you should understand what each one involves, so you can choose the most appropriate one. These competitions can also provide great information to breeders on the success of their breeding programs.
Guide to Bird Dog Competitions
Below are the competitions that your hunting dog can take part in. Some of them are regionally based, while others are held by several entities across the United States.
- NAVHDA
- National Bird Dog Circuit
- Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America
- NSTRA
- NAHRA
- HRC
- NBHA
- JGHV
- UKC
- AKC – Retriever Hunt Test
- AKC – Gun Dog Championships
- Dock Dog
NAVHDA
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a non-profit corporation that was founded in 1969 and aimed at improving the health of hunting dog breeds. The NAVHDA has over 85 chapters throughout the US and Canada to help members train their hunting dogs for upland and waterfowl hunting.
Types of Tasks
There are 4 types of tests sponsored by the chapters of the NAVHDA.
- The Natural Ability Test is the first test to evaluate the natural instincts and abilities of gun dogs. Any dog under the age of 16 months is eligible for this test. Once the dog reaches 16 months, it will be eligible for evaluation, with no prizes involved.
- The Utility Preparatory Test is an evaluation of the dog’s development as they train for the utility test.
- The Utility Test measures the performance of the dog in water and field, before and after the shot.
- The Invitational Test is the highest level of testing, available only for dogs that excelled at utility tests (achieved UT Prize 1).
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
There are 30 versatile breeds of hunting dogs that are recognized by the organization and can take part in this competition. These include the Bracco Italiano, Brittany, French Spaniel, Gordon Setter, Perdiguero de Burgo, Pudelpointer, Stichelhaar, Wirehaired Vizsla, Braque du Bourbonnais, Drentsche Patrijshond, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Irish Setter (you can get the full breed list here).
What Titles are Won
Prizes are categorized into three levels; I, II, and III. When a dog meets or exceeds the requirements in all areas of work, it will be awarded a prize in one of these categories. Dogs are competing against a standard not against the other dogs in the compitioin that day. So it is possible on a given day all dogs get Prize 1 (top prize), most testing days show a variety of prices given.
How to Qualify
All dogs must have a NAVHDA registration number, which includes 2 letters that identify the breed. All owners and handlers must also be NAVHDA international members.
Dogs under the age of 16 are eligible for the Natural Ability Test. There’s no age restriction on other tests. Only invited dogs are eligible for the Invitational Test.
How Each Trail is Judged
Each task done by the dog is allocated to a fixed index number, which shows its importance, where zero corresponds to failure, and 4 corresponds to excellent. This index number is then multiplied by the achievement score to determine the placement of the dog in the test.
National Bird Dog Circuit
The National Bird Dog Challenge Association was founded by Iowa game farm owners in 1995. Today, it aims are providing hunting dogs and their owners with a fine bird dog hunting experience across the US. The competitions are currently divided into 6 regions.
Types of Tasks
There are three types of events held, the National Qualifiers, Declared Majors, and Super Majors.
In all three types, the flushing breeds flush birds while the hunter breeds point the birds for at least three seconds until the hunter forces the bird to fly. The hunter then shoots the bird with clean shots, and the dog retrieves the bird to where the shot was taken.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
Flushers and pointers are eligible for this competition.
What Titles are Won
The winner is declared Dog of the Year. It will either have 30 Champion Points or 100 Qualifying Points and will enter the Top Gun or Doubles in the following year.
Puppy of the Year must have at least 15 Champion Points, and the Top Dog Shootout will receive $2500 plus the title.
Open division participants will receive trophies, cash, in addition to points. Qualifying scores lead to possible entry challenges on the national, regional, and state levels.
How to Qualify
The qualification starts on January 1st and goes to December 31st. Purebred dogs and mixed breeds can take part in challenges. However, if a dog is assigned as a pointer or a flusher, it can’t compete in another division.
How Each Trail is Judged
Points are calculated and awarded based on the order of each dog. If the dog is taking part in more than one event, it will receive points based on the highest placement only.
An Open Division or Amateur Division challenge consists of one or two hunters and a single dog. The competition consists of two twenty-minute runs with hunters working to collect a specific number of birds. Each competitor has twice as many shells as birds planted.
Amateur Field Trail Clubs of America
The AFTCA’s main purpose is to support the Amateur Bird Dog Field Trail competition and increase awareness about upland game birds. Amateur and professional dog trainers can take part in the events. It was founded in 1917.
This organization is made of about 400 clubs across the USA and is divided into 18 regions. Local clubs gather members into a local organization that promotes field trails.
Types of Tasks
There are two types of events available; Open Events where professionals and amateurs can take part in and Amateur Events that permit the entry of amateurs only.
Dogs compete in several stakes; Puppy Stakes, Derby Stakes, and All-Age Stakes. Unless it’s a one-course competition, multiple courses must be used in any regional event. Birds are let go in conditions that mimic natural conditions, and the heats shouldn’t exceed a single hour. There may be additional heats if the judges think that it’s necessary, so they can determine the winner.
All dogs are to run over the same course, and at least three birds must be liberated for each brace of dogs. Only one-third of the birds are set free in the bird fields, and the other two-thirds are liberated in 2 other locations.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
All pointing dog breeds are eligible for this competition. These include the English Setter, Irish Red, and White Setter, Gordon Setter, and English Pointer. Other breeds can also be considered as pointing dogs, and these include the Bracco Italiano, Braque Saint-Germain, Cesky Fousek, German Hunt Terrier, and Labrador Retriever.
What Titles are Won
The titles received upon winning refer to the region in which the stake was held and the type of competition. For example, the winner for an event in Region 1 would be called “Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Champion.” The awards are trophies, and no money is received.
How to Qualify
Participants must be active members in order to take part in the competition and should pay a membership fee of $25. Another Field Trail Club Membership is needed to participate in AFTCA stakes, regional and wild bird championships. Membership costs $100.
Dogs are to participate in their corresponding stakes depending on their age at the time of the competition. The participating dog must be registered with the Field Dog Stud Book.
How Each Trail is Judged
The judge should make sure that handlers are following the rules with minimal handling while liberating birds. It should also evaluate the performance of the dog on the field trail.
The consultation between judges of the dogs’ performance will help them determine the winner at the conclusion of the running. If a winner can’t be named, the judges can call two or more dogs for a second series.
NSTRA
The National Shoot to Retrieve Association runs trails in a friendly environment and has over 1000 trails across the USA. These fields hold annual competitions for amateur and professional competitors.
Types of Tasks
In this competition, the dog is supposed to find and retrieve a bird. The bird should be retrieved within 3 feet to the handler who should remain in the same spot. The point and retrieve credit will be given per a single bird per find. The points scored range between 0 and 100.
In backing, the backing dog should remain stationary until released by the handler or judge. The points scored range between 0 and 75. The backing dog shouldn’t move until the pointing dog has completed the retrieve; otherwise, zero points will be awarded.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
All pointing breeds must be registered in order to be eligible for this competition.
What Titles are Won
Trophy awards are awarded, and the cost will depend on the number of dogs participating in the competition. The points earned allow dogs to compete in other national and regional competitions.
Winning dogs earn points if they’re placed in the top 3 of local trails or the top 4 of national and regional trails. For every 18 points earned, the dog earns a championship, if 9 of them are first-place points.
How to Qualify
Only members are allowed to take part in their dogs. Regular members pay $75 per year while a spouse or a child will pay $20 per year. You should register your dog to make it eligible for regional and national events.
How Each Trail is Judged
A brace or a pair of dogs will run in a specific field for 30 minutes. In some cases, the pair will be competing against each other, but in most cases, they are competing together to retrieve birds, and the scores are then compared against other pairs.
The judge will evaluate the performance of the dog based on a few factors, including steadiness regardless of the interference, intensity, and exceptional style. Some factors can affect the score negatively, including creeping or taking slow steps towards the game, wagging the tail, or lying down.
NAHRA
The North American Hunting Retriever Association aims at stimulating real waterfowl and upland hunting situations. The purpose of these hunting scenarios is to evaluate and reward dogs that can fulfill the hunter’s needs in manners that resemble real hunting conditions using their natural abilities.
Types of Tasks
Several tests are designed to recreate a typical day of hunting. Each test will have a specific goal based on the proposed hunting scenario. The judge will explain the concept and how the dogs are awarded.
The dog is supposed to retrieve the bird as fast as possible, giving the hunter time to take the game. Dogs are placed in four categories based on their natural ability, not age; Beginner, Started, Intermediate, and Senior. The performance of each dog is judged individually against a standard as the dogs don’t compete against each other.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
Purebred retrievers and other purebred sporting group dogs that have been registered with the AKC, CKC, UKC, American Field Dog Stud Book, or Boykin Spaniel Society are eligible for field tests.
If the dog isn’t registered, it can still take part in the competition if it has received a Field Test Number by the Board of Directors. However, these dogs are not eligible for some titles.
What Titles are Won
The number of points required to win any of the titles is determined by the Board of Directors. The titles include the Grand Master Hunting Retriever Champion, Grand Master Upland Hunting Retriever, Working Retriever, and Started Hunting Retriever.
How to Qualify
Qualification of participants is determined by the NAHRA Board of Directors. If points are used to determine eligibility, then points are defined as only those points received for passing the Senior category at Licensed NAHRA Field Tests. Points for the Invitational will be accumulated during the period proposed by the Invitational Committee and subsequently approved by the NAHRA Board of Directors.
How Each Trail is Judged
Invitational will be a four-day field test, but a fifth day might be added if the test committee finds it necessary. The trail is judged by observing the natural abilities of the dog, as the dog is not to be tricked. If the dog retrieves the bird with minimum disturbance in the marsh and upland, then it’s awarded winning points.
HRC
The Hunting Retriever Club is a volunteer organization with clubs in the USA and Canada that are divided into various regions. The purpose of the organization is to influence the breeding and training of more capable Hunting Retrievers and provide hunters and Hunting Retrievers a series of actual hunting tests in a controlled system.
Types of Tasks
There are five tests divided according to ability, not age. The categories are Started, Seasoned, Finished, Grand, and Upland. These are pass and fail tests against a predetermined standard.
The bird throwers are hidden to resemble a real hunting situation, while the hunter is dressed in camouflage. In the three upper levels, the Handler handles the shotgun and works the dog from a blind or perhaps a boat.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
Retrieving breeds are welcomed to take part in this competition. However, other hunting breeds can compete if they can do the work.
What Titles are Won
Titles won include the Hunting Retriever, Hunting Retriever Champion, and Upland Hunter.
How to Qualify
All gun dog groups are required to be spayed or neutered to participate in HRC events only. Non-registered dogs can take part after being charged an extra fee. Non- members can also pay an extra fee and take part in the competitions with their dogs.
How Each Trail is Judged
Judges have experience with hunting and should pass HRC tests. They attend judging seminars and focus on gun safety.
The standard for every hunting scenario is set before the competition. Points are calculated based on the judge’s evaluation of the dog’s performance in marking ability and memory, nose, hunting desire, control, and hunting style.
NBHA
The National Bird Hunters Association holds walking trails on a single course that resembles natural hunting conditions. Birds are planted where the dog is likely to find them.
Each dog will have a fair chance to find enough birds on the course. The association holds several events; Club Trails, State Classics, Regional Championships, Futurity, and National Championship events.
Types of Tasks
There are 7 stakes categorized according to the age of the dog. Open Stakes are available for professional and amateur handlers, while Amateur Stakes are only available for amateur handlers.
Dogs are arranged in pairs, and the performance of each one is evaluated compared to other dogs taking part in the competition. After that, dogs are placed in the first, second, or third position.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
All pointing breeds are eligible for this competition.
What Titles are Won
Trophies and money are awarded. The Futurity winner will receive a portrait of the winning dog.
How to Qualify
Puppy Stakes are available from January 1 to June 30 in each year for dogs whelped on or after January 1 of the year preceding and from July 1 to December 31 of each year for dogs whelped on or after June 1 of the year preceding.
Derby Stakes are available from July 1 to December 31 in each year for dogs whelped on or after January 1 of the year preceding, and from January 1 to June 30 in each year for dogs whelped on or after January 1 of two years preceding.
Shooting Dog Stakes are available for dogs of any age. An Open Stake is one in which there are no limitations with respect to either dogs or handlers. An Amateur Stake is one in which all handlers are amateurs. A Restricted Breed
Stake is a stake that is limited to and advertised as exclusive to a breed.
How Each Trail is Judged
The judge will monitor how the dog acts independently of the brace mate. It should hunt with speed and show endurance and extreme desire to find birds. Backing and retrieving will not be obligatory as in National Bird Hunters Association’s Shooting Dog Stakes.
Puppies are judged on their natural instincts, including their intelligence, energy, courage, conformation, instinct to point, style, and overall appearance.
JGHV
The Jagdgebrauchshundverband organization in Germany currently has a branch in the USA, the JGV-USA, or the agdgebrauchshundverein-USA. This umbrella organization has been working for a century to bind all breeding organizations together.
The quality of breeding is determined by evaluating the performance of dogs. Dogs should exhibit a high degree of cooperation to help hunters achieve their goals.
Types of Tasks
This organization runs breed tests (VJP and HZP) to determine the natural abilities of young dogs to assess the dog’s ability in hunting. These tasks are to test how good the nose is, in addition to the assessment of the desire to find and to track, along with sound temperament that is documented by calmness, concentration, self-confidence and perseverance in work. Ducks and pheasants are used, and the dog is supposed to retrieve them to the handler.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
Pointing and retrieving dog breeds are eligible for this competition. These dogs are either bred from German species or are the offsprings of such dogs.
What Titles are Won
A 12-point system is used to assess the strong natural abilities of the dog. Achieving 11 or 12 points is considered Excellent.
How to Qualify
The handler should have a valid hunting license, and a failed dog can retest only once.
How Each Trail is Judged
The judge will evaluate the ability of the dog to track and retrieve the game bird as soon as possible without being startled by the gunshots. Attitude, including calmness, self-confidence, and precision, are considered.
UKC
The United Kennel Club is an international dog registry that holds events to assess the performance of pure breeds. All purebred dogs are eligible for competition in the official events as well as conformation shows, while mix-breeds and shelter dogs are allowed to take part in performance events.
Types of Tasks
The organization holds a variety of tests and events that suit different breeds and their various abilities. It’s one of the most versatile event-holding organizations.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
Pure and mix-breeds are welcomed to take part in performance events. These include beagles, hunting retrievers, cur and feists, coonhounds, upland hunting programs, and elite shed dogs. Moreover, there are different all-breed programs that all dogs are allowed to take part in.
What Titles are Won
A champion title is won if the dog manages to score at least 100 champion points by taking part in three different competitions. Titles are relevant for every category and include the Show Champion, United Agility Champion, and National Best of Breed.
How to Qualify
Registering your dog qualifies for performance events, even if it’s not a pure breed.
How Each Trail is Judged
Dogs will be awarded points upon winning best over dogs of the same or opposite sex. Depending on the nature of the event, the dog will be awarded bonus points as well.
AKC – Retriever Hunt Test
The first retriever hunt test was held by the American Kennel Club in 1985. The purpose of the test is to assess the dog’s performance to retrieve a bird in all kinds of conditions.
Types of Tasks
Dogs are assessed based on their own merit, without competing against other dogs. The tests are divided into three levels; Junior, Senior, Master, and titles can be earned at each level.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
All retrievers are eligible for this competition.
What Titles are Won
Various titles are won depending on the nature of the competition. One of them is the Achiever Dog, which a dog wins if it’s AKC registered, and has managed to earn a qualifying score in three different sports.
How to Qualify
The dog will start with a Junior test that assesses the dog’s natural instinct and potential as a hunting dog. Once the dog has passed the first level, it will be admitted into a higher level where there are more advanced standards such as responsiveness, steadiness, and control.
How Each Trail is Judged
Judges score dogs based on their natural ability to locate a fall, courage, and overall hunting style. They are also scored on learned abilities such as steadiness, control, response, and delivery.
AKC – Gun Dog Championships
These championships are held for pointing breeds to show their stamina and control while retrieving game birds. Since 1993, the AKC Gun Dog Championship is one of the most prestigious events for pointing breeds.
Types of Tasks
The tasks involve the dog’s ability to point and retrieve birds in a controlled environment.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
All pointing breeds are eligible for this competition.
What Titles are Won
The winning dog wins the NGDC prefix title.
How to Qualify
Dogs can qualify by earning a Field Champion title, or an Amateur Field Champion title or placing in a Gun Dog Stake during the qualification period.
How Each Trail is Judged
A judge will evaluate the dog’s ability to find and point birds while showing courage, self-confidence, and stability.
Dock Dogs
This is a canine aquatics competition that suits dogs that love to jump and play.
Types of Tasks
Several tasks take place. These include DockDogs Big Air, which measures the distance jumped by the dog, and Extreme Vertical, where the dog will jump and grab a suspended object.
Breeds Eligible for this Competition
All breeds, including mixed breeds, are welcomed to take part in this competition.
What Titles are Won
Titles are awarded based on placements, and the winners of first, second, and third places will receive money prizes.
How to Qualify
The dog should at least be 6 months old before taking part in this competition. Handlers must be members who pay a fee of $65 per team.
How Each Trail is Judged
The dog that travels the longest distance will win. In Extreme Vertical events, the dog should catch the object.
What Titles do you See on Breeding Pedigrees and What do They Mean?
These titles that appear on a registered dog with the AKC will be part of its record. Here is what each one of them means.
- CH means champion in a confirmation show.
- FC means champion in the field. This usually involves a pointer or a retriever.
- VC refers to the versatility certificate of the dog.
- CD refers to a dog that has been certified as a companion dog.
- JH means that the dog is a Junior Hunter.
- SH means that the dog is a Senior Hunter.
- MH means that the dog is a Master Hunter.
What is the Most Prestigious Pointing Dog Trail to Win?
The National at Ames Plantation began in Mississippi in 1896. Today, it’s considered to be the Super Bowl for bird dogs. The dog will be evaluated for a total of three hours in all kinds of conditions that resemble the natural setting of hunting. Dogs are run off horseback.
What is the Most Prestigious Retriever Trail to Win?
The most prestigious retriever trail to win is the one organized by the AKC. The results will always be part of the documents of your dog.