? For those playing the retriever games

[Greenhead329]

What is the typical scenario for a Derby field trial?

[stumpjumper]

Just a double!!!!

[Greenhead329]

how long are the marks? is there any honoring required?

[Mike Perry]

For dogs 2 years old and younger. Cannot enter after your 2 year old birth date.
100-400 yard doubles.
Stand out gunners. None retire.
Flyers legal.
Lots of factors. Dog needs to be able to negotiate angles,side hills, in and outs, down the shore, suction from old falls, scent from old falls, cross winds.
No talking to the dog after you call for the birds. Release on judges command.
Need to run straight and sometimes long.
Not for the average hunting dog. If you need to handle to a mark, see you next time. Usually pretty clear who wins.
Have fun.
MP

[cdwyer]

A derby by the rule book is suppose to challenge the natural marking ability of a young dog.

[B3]

Though the rules say natural marking ability the reality of today's derby is usually different IMO. A successful derby dog has to be TRAINED to go straight and do very cheaty memory birds. A dog that cheats usually won't get dropped but if your dog cheats there will be others that don't and these dogs will place and the cheater will get a JAM at most. The derby dogs are so good that the judges usually need tests that go beyond natural marking ability to get separation.

Just my opinion,

Bill

[RF]

Though the rules say natural marking ability the reality of today's derby is usually different IMO. A successful derby dog has to be TRAINED to go straight and do very cheaty memory birds. A dog that cheats usually won't get dropped but if your dog cheats there will be others that don't and these dogs will place and the cheater will get a JAM at most. The derby dogs are so good that the judges usually need tests that go beyond natural marking ability to get separation.

Just my opinion,

Bill

Winner

[RF]

how long are the marks? is there any honoring required?

If you think you want to run a Derby come train with us one day. We will show you what you can expect.

[fishduck]

Be prepared for distance & factors. My first derby involved a memory mark across a dry pond with high weeds. The go bird was a flyer at a ranged 490 yards. From my perspective the flyer looked like a flea jumping off a dog. We ran the double as a single. Dog never saw the flyer.

It took a year and a half before I tried again. It was a much more reasonable test. Hooked a gun on the memory bird in the first and was graciously called back to the second. The second series involved a memory bird at the base of a tree. I had spent the summer working on that very concept. I was confident and ready for the 3rd series. Dogs will be dogs and she picked up the go bird then took a 10 minute tour of the grounds before coming back and grabbinmg the bird. I told Rose she would never see another white coat setup. I lied & she has now jammed a few Q's and has a 4th and a 3rd.

I am not relaying these stories to scare you. No matter what happens, the judges and gallery have seen worse. If you hear someone talking about a hunt test dog handler failing miserably, that is me.
Mark Land

[RF]

... If you hear someone talking about a hunt test dog handler failing miserably, that is me.
Mark Land

You also dress funny.

[fishduck]

... If you hear someone talking about a hunt test dog handler failing miserably, that is me.
Mark Land

You also dress funny.

I do but at trials no one cares If your dog can do the work a Mickey mouse t shirt is fine
Mark Land