A field trail tests a dogs ability to work under real hunting conditions. Retriever field trials are run by various clubs and societies. The stakes are classified into categories such as "Open", "Puppy". "Non-Winner", and "Novice". Some stakes last two days (the number of those competing is then usually 24). Others, with fewer dogs competing are decided in one day. Some societies hold as many as three stakes in a two-day period but limit the total number of competitors.

The "Open" stakes are the most important. As the kennel club rules stand at present, a retriever that wins two Open Stakes run under K.C. Rules by an approved society, and under different judges, qualifies for the title of Field Trial Champion. The International Gundog League Retriever Society organizes an annual retriever championship stake.

Retriever trials are, as far as possible, conducted over ground where dogs can be tested both walking in line and waiting at drivers. This is not always possible to arrange, so some trials consist exclusively of walking-up and others of drivers over waitin guns. The handler works his dogs in his own way, but no dog must be sent to retrieve until the judges' permission is given. The handler must also obey the order of the judges.

Each handler wears an armlet bearing his number. A judge with two dogs under him tries the lowest numbered dog first. If this dog fails to find his retrieve, the other down dog is given a chance. If neither dog finds it, the judge can either try the first dog again or ask the other judges if they wish to try any of their dogs on the bird. Apart from calling the lowest numbered dog first, the method of judging is left entirely to the judges' discretion.

It is difficult to see how this system can be bettered. I my opinion, judging on a "points" system, previously decided, is difficult and unfair. It is far easier for a man who knows a good gundog (as any field trial judge should) to make notes of each dog's performance, good and bad points, and decide in his own mind the best dogs and the order of their merit.

Mistakes there will inevitably be from time to time and luck, good and bad, will always play its part in trials, because it is quite impossible to give every dog an exactly equal test in precisely the same circumstances. But this element of uncertainty and luck is all part of the sport of trials and is understood and appreciated (or should be!) by those who compete at them.

The "luck of the draw", in other words, the the number a particular handler draws, may help or hinder his dog as the following true story will illustrate:

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Four dogs were down under the judges for the "Run off" at a retriever trial. Numbers 3, 5, 10 and 11. All had done good work and were more or less equal in the judges' estimation. After the last drive, a strong runner was down, so the lowest number, the number 3 dog, was called up. This dog saw the bird and followed it into a thick wood, but, after being allowed seven minutes by the judges, came back without it. I was handling number 5 which was called up next. The dog hunted for several minutes without results and the judges ordered it to be called up. On looking round for the next dog, the judges, seeing the handler and dog were some way off, told me I could continue to hunt my dog until number 10 arrived on the scene. At that very moment, my dog came out of the wood with the runner in his mouth!

Now... number 10 was a brilliant dog which had far more experience than my own. Had it drawn a lower number, it would have had a prior chance and would have undoubtedly found the bird. In this instance, my dog was placed first and number 10 second, whereas, but for the "luck of the draw", the placings might have been reversed.
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The Title of Field Trial Champion Retrievers

(1)  The winner of the Retriever Championship Stake
(2)  The winner of two 24-Dog open or all-aged stakes
(3)  The winner of one 24-Dog and one 12-Dog open or all-aged stakes
(4)  The winner of three 12-Dog open or all-aged stakes

In a 12-Dog stake, there must be no fewer than 8 runners and in a 24-Dog stake, no fewer than 16 runners in order to qualify. All stakes must be qualifying stakes and one of these must be open to all breeds of retrievers.

Before a retriever is entitled to be described as a Field Trial Champion, it must have also sat quietly at a drive and have passed a water test. These conditions must have been fulfilled at the championship, in a field trial stake before two panel 'A' Judges or at a subsequent special test before two panel 'A' judges.