Thanks to ATS Sonic Collar for the following
GROUSE DOG TRIALS AND CHAMPIONS
Most hunters have never been to a Grouse Dog Trial, or have any idea of how one is run. A grouse dog trial is somewhat different than all other types of field trialing in that it comes the closest to actual hunting. The dogs are worked on wild birds (they are not killed) and a dog must be fully broken. It is called "a poor man's field trial", since all that is needed to participate is a good dog, a blank gun, a few bucks for the entry fee and a willingness to have a good time outdoors in the company of sportsmen; watching top flight dogs perform.
Michigan's Gladwin Field Trial Area is the only site in the Michigan where grouse dog trails are held, and is one of the best sites in the US. Grouse dog trials are also held in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Gladwin area is the site of the Lake States Championship, The Grand National CH., The George Fruchey Grouse Dog Classic and The National Amateur CH. (which rotates among the other sites). The MAJOR trials are held there from mid-October into November with other trials held in the spring and summer.
The Gladwin area is a large tract of land managed specifically for grouse. On it are courses, numbered 1 through 16, that take approximately half an hour to walk, each. The Championship stakes are an hour per brace, meaning that two courses, per brace, are used. The same course is never used twice on the same day. The evening before the stake, a drawing is held to determine what course each dog will run, and with which bracemate. The handlers are on foot and must stay on the trails. Judges are mounted. All onlookers in the "gallery" must follow behind, being quiet and also staying on the trail. The area is very beautiful, hilly and each course is laid out through a variety of prime grouse and woodcock habitats. All courses are likely to hold birds if a dog is willing to look for them.
Stakes are separated into three age classes:
PUPPY; (under 18 mos) in which the pups are evaluated for class, desire and potential. Bird work is not required, nor is shooting. DERBY class is for dogs between 18 and 30 months. Bird-work and shooting are required, staunchness and steadiness are not. SHOOTING DOG/ALL AGE is for finished dogs. A younger dog may be run in an advanced class, if so desired, and capable.
To qualify for running in a Championship, a dog must have a prior placement as a Derby or Shooting Dog. To enter the Amateur Championship, the placement must have been in an amateur Derby or S.D. stake. Professional trainers are not permitted to handle their dogs in an Amateur trial, however their dogs may be entered and run by an amateur handler (only), IF that dog is qualified with an amateur placement. Dogs are judged on the following criteria: Proper finished manners on bird contact. The quality of bird-work normally takes precedence over the quantity of bird-work. Also judged is the handling of the dog; how well the dog will handle and the amount required to keep the dog "in pocket". Application and pattern are considered. Is the dog casting to the front and working the proper cover? (or running more than hunting?). A dog's range is very important! Too wide is as bad as "running short". Remember, a dog only has a limited amount of time to locate a bird. If he is too far out, finding him on point may be impossible. If he is too close, he may not find anything! Willingness to work with a strange bracemate, and not interfere, is important. "Class" is also judged, and this becomes very subjective on the part of individual judges. Does the dog show a lively gait and good animation? Attractive tail posture in motion and on point? "Class" could best be defined as intensity in hunting. A "classy dog", with one "crystal-clean" find, is more likely to win over a dog who has several "cheap" finds with sloppy manners, mediocre posture and desire.
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Note from Shorthair: These guys really aren't very fond of continental breeds. And for the most part, I can understand. However, this continental dog has some serious class. Considering he doesn't even have a tail..... |
Grouse dog trialing is a game of chance! If anything can go wrong, it usually does. In any given trial, there are perhaps five or ten dogs proficient enough to win. The rest usually "mess up", run off, or are bird-less at the end of their allotted time. The Right course with the Right bracemate/handler, at the Right time of the day, usually means the difference between a win, or an "also-ran". Working strictly on wild birds separates the wheat from the chaff and this is evident when the same dogs consistently win regardless of the current conditions. Getting "lucky" is certainly a part of it... but a good dog can take advantage of the lucky opportunity!
Grouse Dog trialing is a great outdoor family sport! It is another entire aspect of "grouse-dogging", and gives those who enjoy working with their dogs something to do when hunting season is closed. It isn't expensive compared to other types of trialing, where trailering a horse, etc. is required to compete. Most of those involved in Grouse Dog Trials are avid grouse hunters and dedicated sportsmen; their "Competition dogs" are also their "Hunting Dogs", and you will not find this to be the case in open-country, horseback-handled shooting dog field trials. It isn't just man/dog against bird, it is man-dog against man-dog, and ALL of the variables.
It is easy to get hooked, too! Once you run and are pleased with your dog's performance and learn why you didn't win, you will see where the "weak spots" are. You will become a more proficient handler and your dog's training will become more refined. Once you make your way into the "winners circle", you WILL be hooked. That satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment will be the reward. As grouse-dog pro Jack Stuart put it, "Winning the trial isn't what's important... WANTING TO WIN, IS!". Being a good sport is the name of the game!
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