The 2026 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests for Novice and Open Flatcoated Retrievers took place on 31st May at Tythe Barn in Worcestershire by kind permission of Mr Jeff Byrd. Our judges were Tim Brain, Laura Marsh, Robert Fisher and Morton Redpath and we are grateful to each of them for generously giving up their time to judge for us. Some challenging tests were set for the dogs, making great use of the ground available, which included a lake, grassy rides between orchard trees, hedges, ditches and banks of cover. The weather was warm (but thankfully not as hot as…
Working
Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Competitive Training Day – on 20th September 2026
Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Competitive Training Day – on 20th September 2026, the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club, in conjunction with the Southern Area of the Flatcoated Retriever Society, will hold a Competitive Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Training Day, near Westerham, Kent. Please see the schedule below. The day is suitable for those of good Novice standard and will be non competitive in the morning and competitive in the afternoon. WUOFTL Schedule 2026…
Report of the Inter Area team Challenge 2026 and link to Earthdog Photography photos
The Inter Area Team Challenge took place on Sunday 17th May 2026 at The Willows, Standlake, Oxfordshire. We were lucky with the weather which was sunny intervals and not too hot for the dogs. Thank you to all the helpers without which these events cannot take place. This event is probably the hardest because we are running Open, Novice and Special Puppy or ND/NH in the teams and so you do not have people helping in the morning and running their dog in the afternoon. So a special thanks to Louise, Carolyn and Nicola who agreed not to put themselves…
STOP PRESS! Walked up live game training on 2nd and 11th September 2026 near Woodbridge, Suffolk.
STOP PRESS Due to popular demand a second live game training day has been added on 2nd September. This forthcoming shooting season the Society will be running walked up live game training on 2nd and 11th September 2026near Woodbridge, Suffolk. Both training days will be suitable for novice and open dogs but the dogs MUST have prior experience of picking game, and no known eliminating faults (squeaking, hard mouth etc). The cost will be £110 per dog/handler/day, payable to the FCRS. (The cost of this training would be eligible for the Society’s Live Game Training Subsidy, which could be reclaimed…
The FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Code of Ethics
The FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme has developed a Code of Ethics for the training scheme, which has recently been published. It covers dog welfare, health and training standards, conduct in the field and general courtesy and you can read the full code of ethics here Code of ethics for the WFRDP…
FCRS Southern Area breed specific working tests for Flatcoated and Golden Retrievers
On 25th April the FCRS Southern Area held breed specific working tests for Flatcoated and Golden Retrievers on the Penshurst Estate in Kent, by kind permission of the landowners Lord and Lady de L’Isle. Our judges Chris Marshall and Dick Pettett set four interesting and challenging tests for Special puppies, NDNH, Novices and Open dogs, each of which was based upon a shooting scenario. Although we had a smaller entry than we had hoped for the judges reassured our competitors that they were competing against the tests, not each other and that any awards would be made to worthy winners….
**Training day on Water with Walked Up Training**
**Wessex Area Test and Training Organisers Jane and Keith Manley will be running a Training day on Water with Walked Up Training** Date: Sunday 5th July Venue: Avon Tyrrell Estate, near Christchurch, Dorset. (Further details will be given on registration of interest). Abilities: All abilities but must already have some experience in water. Numbers: up to 12 handlers. Handlers may only work one dog at a time but there will be the opportunity to change dogs at midday. Cost: £20/ handler payable on the day. For more details and to book a place please contact Jane Manley: jandkmanley@hotmail.co.uk While this…
Flatcoated Retriever Midland Area Working Gundog Test
The Midland Area held their Special Puppy, NDND, Novice and Open Tests on Saturday 11th April 2026 at Byrds Retreat, Harvington by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Bob Byrd. Generously sponsored by Skinners Pet Food LTD. The weather was perfect during the morning, although the dogs were running into a strong wind on Test 2. The afternoon competitors endured a short sharp storm but conditions remained good. The Judges were Mr Tim Brain (3226) Mrs Sandra Onens (NP), Mrs Helen Chatterton (NP) and Mr David Godding (NP). Paul Egginton was Chief Steward. Entries were, in the morning 7 Special…
THE EURO CHALLENGE at The Game Fair, Ragley Hall, 24-26 July 2026
We have been approached by Huw Jones regarding the THE EURO CHALLENGE at The Game Fair, Ragley Hall, 24-26 July 2026 If you have a flatcoated retriever of open or good novice standard please consider attending the selection day for this competition. Entry form available by email from Huw – huwh@aol.com GB Euro Challenge team selection Saturday April the 18th Venue Miserden Estate, Stroud, Gloucestershire (The exact postcode/what3word will be given to all of those entered) The team will consist of the following 1 x Labrador Retriver 1 x Golden Retriever 1 x of the following Retriever Breeds Flatcoated, Chesapeake,…
South West FCR Working Test 2026
Sunday 22nd March was the South West FCR Working test which we held at VB Farms, Spreyton near Crediton. We were blessed again this year with beautiful weather; the sun was shining all day. Our Judges were Steve Ashby, Charlotte Wear and Reece Merry.Reece made the long journey down from Kent early that morning and did a great job! All Judges were so encouraging and positive all day. The tests set were enough to test you and your dog but achievable. Tests were varied and used the undulating hills we have in Devon also woods and a stream crossing as…
The Inter Area Team Challenge
The Inter Area Team Challenge for 2026 will be held on Sunday 17th May at The Willows, Standlake, Oxfordshire, by kind permission of Vivienne Gatter. If you are interested in taking part, please contact your local Area Gundog Working Test and Training organiser. Further details about the day can be found here….
Trophies and Cups Points System. Updated 2026
Society Trophies Trophies are awarded for a variety of disciplines, and are awarded to Society members who have earned the most points gained from Kennel Club Approved Events. For details on how points are gained and how to apply for these trophies, select this link: Trophies and Cups Points System Trophies are awarded annually at the Society’s AGM….
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme training dates for 2026 (On Dummies)
What are you hoping to achieve with your Flatcoat this spring and summer? Would you like to strengthen your relationship with your dog and improve his/her Control, Obedience, Hunting and Retrieving? Then the WFRDP has something for you and your flatcoat. This spring and summer the Society will be running training for each of the Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme levels on dummies. If this interests you, please click one of the links below to take you to the booking form for the appropriate level. Foundation Level and Level 1 Foundation Level and Level 1 training days will be held…
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme awards top accolade
In the 2025/26 shooting season the Flatcoated Retriever Society launched its WFRDP game training pathway, to sit alongside the WFRDP training on dummies that has been running since 2024. We are delighted to announce that at the very end of the season we were able to make our very first Level 4 award. Congratulations go to Jane Gould and her home bred bitch Etti (Halangydown Tean) who worked towards this ward consistently all season, undertaking live game training in a variety of different shoots. If you would like to know more about what Jane and Etti have achieved please take…
Changes to the definition of Novice Dog Novice Handler Working Tests
We have been advised by the Royal Kennel Club that there are to be changes to the definition of Novice Dog Novice Handler Working Tests in the RKC JRegs. NDNH tests are to become a RKC Classified test. (They have previously been unclassified). The new regulation takes effect on the 2nd February 2026 and reads as follows: Regulation J(G)2.b(4) TO: NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER. Confined to dog and handler who have not gained any award in a field trial or classified GWT or won a Novice Dog/Novice Handler test. (Effectivew from 2nd February 2026) The update was announced in the Winter…
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Level 3A award
The FCRS are delighted to have awarded the first of its Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Level 3A awards this shooting season. Many congratulations to Anne Kitchen and Clara (Selloana Callisto Nymph) who having previously gained their WFRDP Level 1, 2B and 3B together, have been working towards their 3A award on live game this season. Anne and Clara’s award was made following live game training days. Together Anne and Clara picked freshly shot partridge, pheasant and duck and picked wounded pheasant. Clara demonstrated tender delivery to hand and Anne showed that she is familiar with how to check game….
News of WFRDP game training
As part of the WFRDP we were fortunate enough to run a live shoot day at North Wheatley courtesy of Helen Fox. A hardy band of handlers started the day with light drizzle in the air, which fortunately cleared as the day went on. All dogs sat the first drive, where plenty of birds were presented over the guns, which was a credit to the keeper Paul. The guns shot well and there were plenty of birds on the ground for us to work with. The guns moved onto the next drive and we were fortunate enough to have time…
FCRS 183rd Field Trial Meeting – Novice Field Trial for 12 Flatcoated Retrievers
We held our 12-dog novice field trial on Monday 8th December 2025 at Bretby Park Shoot, Bretby, Derbyshire, by the kind permission of Mrs C. Perkins and Keeper, Mr Matt Smith. We are extremely grateful to them for their support. Thank you to our judges Paula Cullis, Steve Cullis, John Day and Casper Jonsen, and all the others who worked so hard to make the trial run so smoothly – Chief Steward Roz Bellamy, judges’ stewards Heather and Nicky, game carriers Darren and Nick, markers Sarah, Andy and Caroline, red flag Sharon. Catering was provided by Roz too – absolutely…
Shooting Dog Certificate on Wednesday 26th November
The Flatcoated Retriever Society held a Shooting Dog Certificate on Wednesday 26th November on the Beech Estate in East Sussex by kind permission of Harry Wills and family. The Gamekeeper Judy Hempstead, Cuvana Gundogs, welcomed Panel judge Chris Marshall, and assessors Dick Pettett and Reece Merry. The day started off dry, cold and frosty before turning bright and sunny. The guns shot well over some challenging birds and provided the handlers with lots of retrieving options including water retrieves, hunting in woods and runners. There were 7 handlers with 5 passes as follows: SDC(A) Helen Fox with CH Blacktoft Dancing…
Walked Up on Field Trial Lines competitive training day held on 21/9/25
On the 21st September 2025 the Flatcoated Retriever Society and the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club and jointly held a Competitive Training Day, Walked Up on Field Trial Lines at Dry Hill, Chipstead, by kind permission of Jacky Burden. We had a full card with one unavoidable withdrawal on the day. In total there were nine Flatcoats, three golden retrievers and one Irish Water Spaniel. (We also had one Labrador retriever join us for the morning’s training). The day was fine and bright with a light wind. Warm enough in the sunshine but ideal conditions for the dogs. The ground was…
KC WGC report held 14/09/25
On 14/9/25 the FCRS jointly with the Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club held a Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate training and assessment day at Rickneys Dog Training Centre in Hertfordshire. 18 dogs were entered (7 flatcoats and 11 golden retrievers). The trainers and assessors were Phil Allen, Jim Gale and Sarah Young. The aim of the Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate is to provide credible proof that a handler and dog are a competent partnership and ready for the shooting field. Nobody “fails” the assessment, although dogs may be assessed as “not yet ready”. The dogs are tested for Control,…
Central Area Special Puppy, Novice Dog/Novice Handler and Veteran Working Tests Report 2025.
The tests were held at the Willows, Standlake, Oxfordshire on Sunday 7 September 2025. It was certainly eventful. I tore the ligaments in my ankle and fractured my foot 3 days before the test and was hobbling around in a rigid boot and crutches but my amazing team of helpers rallied round and made the day run smoothly. It was our last test so we wanted it to happen. So thank you to all my helpers – Nicola Radtke who arrived very early to unpack my car and then acted as Chief Steward for the morning. Nicola Stonor who ran…
Breed only, 12 dog Novice Field Trial on Monday 8th December 2025
The Society will be holding a Breed only, 12 dog Novice Field Trial on Monday 8th December 2025 at Burton-upon-Trent. Full details will be published on the Website, Facebook and FTMS shortly….
The Euro Challenge at the Game Fair 2025
Each year teams from across Europe compete for the coveted Euro Challenge Trophy, showcasing the skills of both gundogs and their handlers. In 2025 seven European teams of three competed over the two days, the first extremely hot! Each team features three dogs – a Labrador, a Golden Retriever, and one other registered retriever breed. This year there were Flatcoats, Chesapeakes, and Nova Scotia Duck Tollers, all required to complete a series of tests in a simulated shooting environment. The overall results for the Euro Challenge were 1st Italy 2nd Belgium 3rd Eire 4th Netherlands 5th Great Britain 6th Switzerland…
Wessex Area Working Test Saturday 19th July 2025
This test was held on The Avon Tyrrell Estate by kind permission of The Lord and Lady Manners in beautifully cool woodland when temperatures were well above the average. The Judges, Judith Evans (B Panel) , Sue Weeden, Nikki Urquart and Keith Manley were both encouraging and informative, putting handlers at ease and building their confidence. A small but very efficient band of helpers, mostly beaters from the Estate did an excellent job insuring all retrieves were uniform for all. The event was once more very generously sponsored by Skinners Dog Food. We welcomed five Golden Retrievers who supported the…