It is well documented about the fall from favour of the Flatcoated Retriever, but just to recap that in their prime at the latter part of the 1800’s until the early 1900’s they were the most popular and successful gundog breed in the UK. The decline came swiftly with the introduction of the Labrador and to some degree the Golden Retriever being easier to train and arguably more biddable . The playful and independent thinking characteristics of the breed were in the end their downfall in the field. There have been some resurgences in the working lines from time to time and over the past 30-40 years there have been some successes in the field but now we find ourselves in somewhat of a crisis when it comes to Field Trials.
Trialling is the absolute test for yourself and your dog in the field and we are struggling to run trials due to the low numbers of quality dogs and handlers that want to enter. This year we intend to run the Open Field Trial but not a Novice Field Trial because we simply do not have the numbers. For a few years we have had some solid entries for the Open FT and there have been some excellent results but more recently that has not been the case. When we look to see who are coming through to replace the dogs and handlers of the past we come up very short indeed. To win or be placed in Flatcoat Trial you need to perform to the highest standard. It is not enough to be the best dog on the day. The standard to be met is the same as any other Retriever Field Trials. So if you compete at this level you should be very proud to receive an award whether it’s a COM (Certificate of Merit), 2nd ,3rd 4th or even 1st
The Kennel Club has allowed The Flatcoated Retriever Society to run Breed only Field Trials which is a significant help to those who want to trial their Flatcoats. If we were forced to run AV ( Any Variety ) Trials only we would not see many, if any, Flatcoats trialling at all as there are so many labs and to a lesser degree Goldens in the draw for places for Field Trials. These days it is not uncommon to see 150 entries for a one day 14 dog trial. Preference in draws are Members and a previous Field Trial qualifications of which there are many dogs that have them, especially labs. Trialling owners of these and other breeds are members of many clubs in order to be able to get a run and would simply take preference in the draw over the largely unqualified Flatcoats. If we continue in this trajectory and cannot run our trials we may well lose this Breed only status and that would surely see the end of Flatcoats in Field Trials. These Trials are the showcase for our breed in the shooting field and where you see FTW ( Field Trial Winner) or FTA ( Field Trial Award)recently in a pedigree you know that you are probably looking at a good working pedigree. Without this proof of working ability at the highest level then how are we to know what dogs to breed from to increase the gene pool of our working stock? We know there are some good Flatcoats out there you just need to step up and be counted.
So this is really a Call to Arms to those who work their Flatties. If you are training for Working Tests and/ or have access to live game through picking up on shoots then why not push to trial your dogs? This is also a message to those who have in the past trialled their Flatcoats and, for whatever reason, no longer do so. We need you to pick up the baton once again to reverse this current trend as the breed needs you now more than ever.
Trialling is either Driven or Walked up and to enter a Driven Trial you need a steady dog that doesn’t whine , will take direction , is good game finder and soft mouthed. You also need to know what is expected of you as a handler at a Trial. The J Regs published by the Kennel Club are the regulations for Working Tests and Field trials and is a must read for those that compete in these.
The Shooting Dog Certificate (SDC) run by The Society is a good test of these attributes and if you can achieve the SDC A pass ( off lead) then you are in a very good place to look at trialling.
Walked Up Field Trials are more difficult to train for as if you are picking up which is where you gain valuable experience you generally are in a static position a good distance from the guns. For Walked up Field Trials you need to train probably in a group walking up fields of beet or cover crops on dummies to begin with. You would then need to progress to walked up days on live game which are the conditions you would find in a Trial.
So what now ? The Field Trial Sub Committee has a wealth of knowledge on tap and is available for advice and help to get you moving towards Trialling but you need to want to do it. If you want to halt the decline of the working side and see the breed develop and succeed once again you need to move from the relative comfort zone of running in Tests and Picking Up and commit to training for Trials.
The Society recognises that the working side needs help and the members serving on the FT Sub Committee have put together various initiatives to assist those who wish to progress with the training of their dogs.
Sarah Young our Working Test Secretary alongside FT Sub Committee member Andy Sweeney are currently running the excellent Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme and have recently started online ZOOM Training and Q & A sessions developed by themselves together with the very knowledgeable Heather Harley.
There are a number of other Training opportunities in connection with the Society ,Live Game Training Days and other days that are organised by members some of which you will see on the Society website. Other extremely useful sources of training are the Facebook Groups – Flatcoat Training, Tests and Trials also for all breed s Retriever Tests Trials and Training Days No Trivia and others. Outside of what the Society can provide is a huge resource for those that wish to train their gundogs. You just need to look and you will find Trainers, clubs, Working Tests, Training Days including Live Game for all Retriever breeds. These are there to be used so take full advantage of them.
Training can be expensive but the most cost effective way is to join a Gundog Club. There will be some in your area and branches of the United Retriever Club, Utility Gundog Society and others will not be too far away. These clubs are generally very welcoming and the impression that you are looked down upon as you have a Flatcoat is not the normal experience. You will be pleasantly surprised to see the so called perfect Labradors having the same issues as you may be having. If you still have doubts ask to go along to the club without your dog to observe. Training with other breeds is incredibly useful . You will see the standards you will need to achieve to progress and this will push you to raise your game.
Individual trainers are also a way forward. They provide group or 1 to 1 training and access to training ground facilities such as water , jumps , woodland and cover that you perhaps do not have easy access to yourself.
Not all individual trainers will suit either you or your dog so you may have to try a few before you find one you are happy with. Find a good Gundog training book or books preferably. Some are better than others so take from them what you feel is right for you and your dog and try to apply what you learn from them.
If you want to Trial then you will need access to Live Game and picking up is the best regular training you can have on game. While you are there to do a job, opportunities to specifically train do arise and sending your dog for a particular retrieve will test your handling skills which are necessary to trial. If you have some but not much access to live game then progress will be slower. Live Game Training Days organised by the Committee are there to help and a subsidy is available from the Society to assist with the cost. Again if you are unsure about this then ask to come along without your dog to a Live Game Training Day or indeed a Trial to see for yourself. You would be very welcome.
A list of The Field Trial Sub Committee members and their contact details are shown on The Society website and in the Year book and we are happy to help in any way we can to assist you in achieving your goals for you and your Flatcoat.
Best Wishes
Article by Ron Lane
On behalf of The Field Trial Sub Committee