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…
Working
FCRS Southern Area breed specific working tests for Flatcoated and Golden Retrievers
On 21st June, first day of summer and the hottest day of the year so far, 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 were Di Stevens, Kelvin Nettleingham, Liz Barnes and James Brindley. The judges set four interesting and challenging tests for our Puppies, NDNH, Novices and Open dogs, each of which was based upon a shooting scenario and each with two retrieves. Puppy and Novice ran in the morning and NDNH and Open…
2025 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests Report and Results
The 2025 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests for Novice and Open Flatcoated Retrievers took place on 31st May at Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire by kind permission of Lord and Lady Dulverton. Our judges were Phil Bruton, Kate Smith, Ricky Maloney and Jenifer Thomas and we are grateful to each of them for generously giving up their time to judge for us. Graham Clelland was Chief Steward for the day, kindly enabling me to run my own dog. For various reasons entry numbers were lower than anticipated this year with just 13 running in Novice (after three unavoidable withdrawals) and 12…
The FCRS Central Area Working Test Report – 18th May 25
On Sunday 18 May 2025 The FCRS Central Area held Novice and Open Working Tests at the Willows, Standlake, Oxon. The Judges were Vanessa King (B3609), Charlotte Wilkinson (NP5013), Lucy Mixture and Peter Leyden. The dogs competed over four tests. Test 1 was a 2 dog walk up judged by Charlotte with each dog having two marked retrieves. Test 2 was judged by Lucy and was a mark on water followed by a blind on land. Test 3 was judged by Vanessa and was a blind retrieve with no shot after first honouring a mark with shot which was retrieved…
THE FLATCOATED RETRIEVER SOCIETY MIDLAND AREA WORKING TESTS 26th April 2025
The Midlands Working Test was held at Manor Farm, Croome Hill, Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire by kind permission of Toby and Alison Spiers and generously sponsored by Skinners Pet Foods Ltd. The land provided a ridge and furrow field, ditches to cross, hedges to push through and a field of reeds and white grass. The weather was dry with a mixture of cloud and sun becoming quite warm. Thank you to our judges Mr Graham Bird (A3147) Ms. Angie Cooper (NP) Mrs. Sue Millward (NP) Mr. Adrian Phillips (NP) for so generously giving up their time to judge and offer…
Field Trials 2025/26
The FT sub are considering whether or not to run a Field Trial in the 2025/26 shooting season. In recent years we have struggled to fill the running card and Field Trials have been cancelled. Are you interested in trialing your Flatcoated Retriever? Would you enter a Field Trial? Are you looking for a Novice, an All Age or an Open Field Trial? Please complete our survey and help us decide what may be viable in the coming season. Please also share the link to the survey with anyone you know who works their Flatcoated Retriever, and might consider trialling….
South West FCRS Working Test.
Sunday 23rd March 2025 was the FCR South West Working Test held at the South West Gundog Training Centre near Tiverton by kind permission of Ed Brown. We ran Puppy, ND/NH , Novice and Open classes. The day was a great success with some lovely tests set over undulating ground that included, ditches wooden fences and woods. The variety in the tests proved challenging enough but also very achievable. Our Judges Judy Reiney, Karen Handley, Mandy Smith and Helen Ford they were all so encouraging and made everyone feel welcome and relaxed which made for a very enjoyable day. If any of the Puppies had any difficulties the Judges made sure the…
Mock Field Trial Monday 18th January 2025
With growing concern at the lack of Flatcoats coming forward to enter the Societys Breed Only Field Trials the FT Sub committee staged a Mock Trial in the hope of encouraging members who might not be familiar with the workings of a trial and what is required of themselves and their dogs to come along and experience a day run along the lines of a Trial. The Estate chosen was Bretby, Burton on Trent and we were extremely well served by the Game Keeper, Matt Smith, who runs an excellent shoot and has a very good working knowledge of the Flatcoat and its capabilities. Our Judges, Phil Bruton, Clare Gould,…
SDC Result – 30th November
On 30th November a Shooting Dog Certificate day was held at Ashe Farm, Ross on Wye. There were two successes on the day. Our congratulations go to: Reece Merry with Swantonwood Black Bramble and Anna Crampton with Casblaid Charlotte cum Cleirwy….
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Training 2025.
The FCRS would like to know more about the training needs and ambitions of Flatcoat owners who have working gundogs or are training their dogs to do gundog work. The following survey will take less than five minutes to complete and will help us plan training activities for the coming season. If you are the owner or handler of a Flatcoated Retriever residing in the UK (or intending to travel to the UK for Competition or Training purposes) please complete the following survey. Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Training Survey 2025 If you are unfamiliar with the Flatcoated Retriever Society’s…
Mock Field Trial
The Field Trial Sub Committee are considering holding a Mock Field Trial for Novice handlers and / or dogs to gain valuable experience of running in a Trial without the added pressures of competition. The day will be run as a Trial with experienced Judges giving help and advice throughout. The venue for this will be near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire in January, date to be confirmed, cost approximately £120. Before committing to this day we need to know there is sufficient interest to make the day viable so we are asking you to contact Jane Manley, FT Sec either by…
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme on Game
The FCRS is pleased to announce the launch of the Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme – on game. This training pathway is aimed at those who wish to train their dogs to work as picking up dogs on shoots, those who would like to take the Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate on Game, the Kennel Club Show Gundog Working Certificate or the Society’s Shooting Dog Certificate and at those whose aim is to compete in Field Trials. You can read more about the different levels and what they encompass on our Training page or download further information from our Working…
Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club and the Flatcoated Retriever Society UK jointly held a Competitive Training Day report.
On the 15th September 2024 the Southern Flat Coated Retriever Club and the Flatcoated Retriever Society UK jointly held a Competitive Training Day, Walked Up on Field Trial Lines at Orchard Farm Woolborough Lane, Redhill, by kind permission of Mandy Smith. Our Trainers/Judges were Kelvin Nettleingham (B panel) & Mandy Smith who between them have a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart. Lynette Irwin acted as Dog Steward and ensured a steady flow of dogs to each judge. We are deeply indebted to our helpers who as dummy throwers and game carriers worked tirelessly all day. Thank you!! The…
UGS Kent & East Sussex Gundog Club AV Working Test Result.
UGS Kent & East Sussex Gundog Club AV Working Test. Held at Grovelands Farm. Biddenden, Kent by kind permission of Roger and Sheila Wade. 2nd was awarded to Tygwyn Punnetts Town, owned, bred and handled by Jacquie Thomas….
Central Tests 2024 report
The Central Area ran Veteran, Special Puppy, ND/NH, Open and Novice tests on 1st September 2024 at Standlake, Oxfordshire. Several tests had been cancelled during the year including the May test at Standlake for Novice and Open. There were just not enough entries to run the day. This was disappointing after judges had been booked and all the arrangements made. So the plan was to run all classes on one day in the hope that it would have enough entries. It was always going to be challenging to run that many categories with different tests and ask the judges to…
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Level 3B Training
The FCRS has been running training for the Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Level 3B on the Welsh Moors this spring and summer. Level 3B encompasses Control, Obedience, Hunting and Retrieving on challenging ground and cover, and aims to give handlers experience of using the terrain and the wind and dogs experience of taking a line across challenging terrain, control at a distance and hunting in challenging cover. The training was aimed at those with good novice or open dogs, who might enter Intermediate or Open Tests or are preparing for Field Trials. Today we held the last of four…
KC WGC assessment day report 28/07/24
On 28/7/24 FCRS held the second of two Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate assessment days that have been organised for this summer; On this occasion we were at Burton Hastings in Warwickshire. 11 dogs were entered (9 flatcoats and 2 Labradors). Our assessors, Laura Marsh and Mandy Smith, were friendly and supportive and did a great job, putting handlers at their ease and explaining each exercise to them. 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…
Game Training Days and Shooting Dog Certificate
Game Training Days Monday 2nd September Woodbridge, Suffolk. Cost: £110/handler. An excellent day of walked up training with individual training given if required although dogs should be familiar with retrieving game. Please contact Jane Manley for more details. Monday 23rd September Sherborne, Dorset. Cost: £110/handler. Walked up and driven training. Full but taking names on waiting list. Shooting Dog Certificate Currently two days are planned: Tuesday 3rd December confirmed Priorton Barton, Devon. TBC: Hereford. Please contact Jane Manley for details or to register interest. Please note we are currently looking for venues to hold Shooting Dog Certificate days. If you are responsible for running a…
Inter Area Team Challenge 2024. Report, awards and photos.
IATC 2024 Awards.pdf This year the event was held on The Avon Tyrrell Estate, Nr Christchurch, Dorset by kind permission of The Lord and Lady Manners to whom the Society are most grateful for their generosity, being always willing to welcome us when asked, be it for Tests, Field Trials or Training. After a very hot week the day dawned overcast but cooler, thankfully. The cloud soon gave up a light drizzle which steadily got heavier as the day progressed inevitably, whilst cooling the dogs, causing issues with the paper work! The woods were the setting for three tests in the morning and our three…
Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate assessment 13/07/24
On 13/7/24 FCRS held the first of two Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate assessment days that have been organised for this summer. Today we were at Wisborough Green in West Sussex, hosted by Woodruff Gundogs. Our two assessors, Liz Barnes and Julie Elborough, were both friendly and supportive and did a super job putting handlers at their ease and explaining each exercise to them. The ground at Wisborough Green, home of Woodruff Gundogs, was perfect for the assessments with jumps, water and a variety of cover available. 10 dogs were entered for the assessment – seven Flatcoated Retrievers, one Golden…
Report on the Shirley Radburn Nationals 2024
The 2024 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests for Novice and Open Flatcoated Retrievers took place on 30th June at the Packington Estate in Warwickshire by kind permission of Lord and Lady Guernsey. A raffle was held to raise money for a charity nominated by our hosts, Yellow Wellies – the Farm Safety Foundation. Yellow Wellies is a UK wide independent registered charity which aims to to preserve and protect the physical and mental well being of young farmers. Thanks to the generosity of both our competitors and our helpers and to the largesse our sponsors YuMove, Sporting Saint, Muntjac Trading and Lez Graham (author of the Pet Gundog books) a total of £300 was raised which…
Southern Golden Retriever Society/FCRS Southern Area Tests. Results and Report
The SGRS hosted Joint Working Tests for Golden Retrievers and Flatcoated Retrievers on 2nd June 2024 at Parklands, Ewshot, Surrey, by kind permission of Mrs Suzette Watts. Our Judges for the day were Mrs Sue Jordan and Mrs Leigh Sutton. The tests were for Novice dog/Novice Handler and Novice. The weather was again superb for us being warm and sunny, not to hot and with gentle breeze. The ground provided plenty of tree cover for both dogs and handlers whilst they waited for their tests.There were 4 tests for each class.Test 1 was a hunt up requiring the dog to…
WORKING FLATCOAT RETRIEVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (WFRDP)
HELP! HELP! HELP! The number of Flatcoats competing in working tests and Field trials has been dwindling over the last number of years and we are trying hard to stay competitive and continue the breed in the working arena. As part of this new program (the WFRDP) we are hoping to provide those members who want to introduce their dogs to game the opportunity to do so. So how can you help? If you pick up on a shoot can you offer the chance for someone to shadow you for the day, this may just be the handler experiencing the…
The Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme.
The FCRS is pleased to announce the launch of our new training programme, the Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme. The WFRDP was developed following the outcome of the online survey conducted in the autumn of 2023 which indicated that handlers wanted a training programme that was available nationally and that offered structured goals to work towards. The WFRDP consists of 5 levels, each covering Control, Obedience, Hunting and Retrieving. You can read more about the different levels and what they encompass here. A Guide to the Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme The programme is designed to have something for everyone,…