Flushing Dog AKC Hunt Test with Bird Dogs Afield

Bird Dogs Afield visits the Patriot Sporting Spaniel Club for their annual AKC Hunt Test. Watch great flushing dog work.

[@shug2795]

Griffin was spectacular and was trained by a very competent trainer. You will notice that his handler didn't blow that incessant, "flaming" whistle and yet the dog handled like a dream! SO refreshing....!

[@davidcudlip6587]

Agree. I hunted in South Dakota where the pheasants start running the minute they hear a car door slam. No talking, bells, beeper collars, whistling, or yelling commands at your dog. The hunters that couldn't keep from doing this usually had few shots. Griffs usually hunt close and mine would check back quite often for hand signals and commands. Miss that guy,

[@georgechubbs6992]

“Fetch those birdies up, go get ‘em!” Love it!

[@napavalleycommunitychurch2909]

Loved watching the flushing dogs!

[@catchandeat]

Great to see master class flushers in the field. I have a field bred American Cocker, she has a style somewhere between an English cocker and a Boykin Spaniel. This will be her first real season coming up!

[@markgoodridge7453]

Very interesting video. Definitely going to be there next year.

[@nocknload5287]

awesome video on these super smart dogs. Will consider a Spaniel for my next hunting partner dog.

[@BirdDogsAfield]

Thank you!

[@DavidVerbyla]

I assume I could run my labrador retriever in the AKC Master Flushing test....can I use a sit whistle to sit to flush?

[@bryanhargrove6968]

What is a good way to train sit to flush?

[@sun99149]

Do u know how to train a dog to slow down when it is approaching the bird?

[@Bwanar1]

Nice video, love to see dogs enjoying a hunt. Is handling allowed on the single Mark, in Master class?

[@spanielvt]

That's a great question, particularly because I had to execute a minor handle on the marked water retrieve in the video. There are 3 categories under which the marked water retrieve is judged: bird finding ability, trained abilities, and retrieving abilities. Marking is judged under the last element and I should have received a lower score in that category. So, I guess you could say it's allowed, but will definitely effect your score.

[@Bwanar1]

Thank you Sir....I would have thought the benchmark would be Much higher for a Master dog, especially given such a short, single mark. In AKC Master (retrieving) and HRC Hunting Retriever Champion (fairly equivalent top tear equivalent), we would only get one handle on 2 separate triples, for the day and they would be anywhere from 40 to 150yds away. Otherwise the test would be failed. Single Marks, at any distance, would only be run for beginner dogs.

[@HellfireMT]

Yes, it is.

[@rinkleswhiskers15]

Can some one tell me the breed of the dog that Lori Guile has in the back of the car at 2:03?

[@spanielvt]

Erik, that is Lori's field bred English Cocker Spaniel, Chip.

[@springcopsespaniels2189]

Interesting to see the difference between the UK trials. Many of the dogs committed faults under our regulations, and surprised to see the judges not checking the birds for damage upon completion of the retreives.

[@flairball]

There are many differences, but more similarities. This video does not show very much good spaniel work. In fact it shows some horrible dog work. Please don’t judge what we are doing here in the US based on this video. While we appreciate Paul Fuller featuring a spaniel hunt test, he doesn’t know much about spaniels and could have used some editing help when choosing which segments to show.

[@davidcudlip6587]

@@flairball Actually at the end of the day, how many of either of these trial dogs hunt wild birds? Not pen raised birds released just before the trial starts, or on the grounds of a hunt club? Totally different game in a real hunting situation with wild birds in rough terrain.. Given the choice, I'll always go with parents that were bred from hunting stock, shot over wild birds and not get hung up on trials winnings.

[@flairball]

@@davidcudlip6587, you’d be surprised how many actual hunting dogs are entered in the hunt test program. Unfortunately many owners and breeders of bench bred dogs also enter, and are often embarrassing to watch. As for trial dogs, many people only trial their dogs until they’ve accomplished something, then hunt the dog once it’s retired from trialing. These dogs often become excellent hunters, but I’d expect that of a trial dog, knowing the standards in place at trials. That said, I agree with your philosophy; I’m a hunter first, and only trial occasionally because I can. Once grouse season opens trials are the last thing I think about.

[@l0n3wolf89]

I would like to see you guys compete against real working spaniels from the UK :-P Wow, the Uk-ones are in a totally other and higher lever than these dogs, even the dogs at beginner level. Sorry to say it, these dogs are fine, but.....it's a big difference

[@levibaer18]

Can you supply video to prove it?