| Archive for The Brittany Forum For all friends of the versatile Brittany |
| Britmania |
HOT OFF THE PRESSThe North Island FTChamps = bad luckThe NZ Field trial Champs = even more bad luck So Spice has bounced back with an outstanding win in the champ trial held today: 25.11.2006 Southern Golden Retriever Club Championship trial Pointer & Setter - Judge Mr K.May (9 entries) 1st place = 85pts Ch & FTCh Leaningrock Lanark Spice QC (Brittany) 2nd place = 76 points a Grand FTCH GSP 3rd place = 63 points a Pointer Barry was very excited with this win as Spice produced her best ever pointing on both traps and a near perfect retrieve.The majority of points lost were for rangeing (well it was 25 degrees and a hot Nor-west wind!) so she got a piece of steak for tea! Sophie was real jealous. |
| Victoria |
Congratulations! |
| Andrew B |
Superb,well done. |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Now thats a REAL test. Brilliant work Spice, well done!
Ghillie. |
| Annie as admin |
field trials and other eventsHi ChrisWhat type of events do you have over there? Our KC governs most FTs and Tests but we can run a TAN without a licence, and we have Companion Shows and Matches that have a licence but are exempt from most of the rules of the KC. Are there any over there that you can run puppies/novice dogs in without affecting what they win at licenced events? Annie |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Thats a canny question! |
| Britmania |
Right, well - I will try to explain our system.
The NZKC is the overall body which controls canine activities (ie shows, obedience and agility PLUS affiliated to it is the NZGTA (NZ Gundog Field trial Assn). Under the NZGTA control are gundog clubs which run club trials (where everyone practices) and championship trials (where everyone competes for CC's towards FTCh and Grand FTCH titles). A QC can be awarded at either a club trial or champ trial as it is an indication of the dog being able to do what it was bred for. These are the ONLY recognised titles and qualifications in NZ and appear on the pedigrees of all gundogs registered by the NZKC. Also affiliated to the NZGTA is the Versatile Hunting Dog Association(NZ) which is a NON competitive testing format that tests gundogs for ablilites that make a good hunting dog - it is not testing for conformity in style,speed or rangeing, rather testing each dog as an individual. This system is similar to your TAN and will assess the dogs steadiness to shot, retrieving,tracking and pointing ability.At the end of a series of tests, each section is given an evaluation score of 0 to 4, with 4 being very good and 0 a fail. The sections are pointing, tracking,affinity for water,nose and use of nose,attitude toward work, and cooperation with handler.The dogs are checked for coat quality,teeth, eye problems,bad conformation faults and encompasses temperament.The results are noted on a score card.A minimum score is required in each section to set a grading for the dog.The traditional European evaluation of Prize 1,Prize 11 and Prize 111 is awarded to all dogs whose performance warrants it. To Prize is a category of achievement, not a placement. At present, the VHDANZ is keeper of its own achievement records. As you can see, we basically have two systems running parrallel, and HPR gundog puppies are catered for in both.At present, I am training Sophie at home and she is retrieving nicely to hand and pointing well. She will start competing in puppy trials after Christmas, once her basics are well established.I will not be running her in pointer and setter trials just yet as I believe pups need to enjoy what they do before you start putting pressure on them to compete. Watch this space though as she had her first water experience at the trial grounds today and as they say, "it was water off a ducks back", cool as ! |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
So you are saying that the VHDANZ is a privately run organization?
I had read that they run the dogs for an hour at a time and they got a prize if placed. Jan |
| Britmania |
The VHDANZ is a reasonably "new" organisation (established in 2004) that comes under the umbrella of the NZGTA at the moment, but is quite independant of the rules and regulations of recognised gundog field trials.
They see the purpose of the evaluations as an opportunity for anyone to "test" their dog. Possibly the best thing for anyone interested in details of the tests etc will be to have a look at their website. www.nzvhdta.co.nz Unfortunately, the results of tests are only available to members of the club. |