FIELD TRIALS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 December 1939, Page 8

FIELD TRIALS

NELSON GUN DOG CLUB MARRED BY RAIN The final field trials of the year of the Nelson Gun Dog Club were, contrary • to usual experience, somewhat marred by rain which fell later in the afternoon. The ground next to the Research Orchard is particularly suitable and provides plenty of cover of all kinds with unconfined range. Seven puppies, from mere babies to full-grown dogs, faced Mr Harley. The winning dog, a fine big Kerry Irish setter, was nicely by Mr Killalea, and every one was very pleased to see a new member bring out his dog and win a trial on his first day out. Mr Colquhoun’s Labrador dog puppy, Rex of Greenacres, is a most promising puppy, and was a few points behind the winner. He will develop into a keen worker. The puppy trials do, and of course should, elicit great interest. They will later form the representative adult workers. The judging of puppy trials is a matter for keen perception of essential qualities and instincts. Eight dogs were entered in the open field trial which was judged by Mr Colquhoun. An outstanding and gratifying performance was put up by Mr H. Pike’s Irish Setter bitch, Ruby. She was handled quietly and confidently, and showed a keen hunting desire, and was well under command. She unfortunately encountered a bird which refused to fly, but was unremitting in her efforts to put her bird up, She broke to shot, or other wise would have scored really high points.

Mr John Vitetta’s Irish Setter dog, : Prince Paddy was only four points i behind, handled by Mr Harley. He, was under fine control, ranged well and found rapidly. He-also broke to ! game and shot and failed to make a clean delivery. He is a very good sound shooting dog, with a very nice style and good nose. This was definitely a day out for the Irishmen, with Mr Killalea’s dog running into next place. He ranged and found excellently, but lost points heavily on the retrieve. SUCCESSFUL YEAR The Association has every reason to look back on the year with satisfaction. In addition to club activities, the South Island championships were held in Nelson this year and were attended by competitors from as far away as Southland. There are many enthusiastic new members with equally enthusiastic new dogs, which will be heard of later. Improvements are constantly being effected, always with the idea of moving closer to natural gamefinding conditions. Whatever shortcomings are still evident in New Zealand field trials, there is no shadow of doubt that they definitely demonstrate the clog’s ranging and hunting style; how it enters cover and water, its control and general reliability and finish as a retriever.