VI. RULES APPLICABLE TO BOTH TYPE (W) AND TYPE (L) FIELD TRIALS
*Effective January 1, 2009

In addition to the previous rules, the regulations and procedures in this section apply to both Type (W) and Type (L) Gun Dog Field Trials.

A. Depicting of Accurate Hunting Situation. All field trials must present an accurate picture of a hunting situation and must involve one or more UKC approved upland game bird species as the designated game. The goal of these competitions is to reward the best hunting dogs that are representatives of the breed, in particular by the spirit, the efficiency and by the aptitude of the dogs to receive and demonstrate intensive training.

B. Topography of Grounds and Cover. These competitions may take place on any type of grounds but those selected must fulfill the conditions of adequate cover for the game. The surface area for each type of trial must meet the requirements for the type of trial as further set forth herein.

C. Judging Criteria. Judges shall not place, pass or fail a dog solely by the number of birds found, but shall take into consideration the overall quality of performance in the heat, as well as taking into consideration the dog's style in the context of its breed, the desire of hunting, the nose, overall ability and the level of training demonstrated.

D. Similar Conditions. The Judges shall do their best to put all dogs in the same or similar working conditions. However, nevertheless, as in an actual hunting situation, the topography of ground covered in a given field trial may vary as well as the amount of upland game encountered.

E. Pass or Fail/Callback for Opportunity to Point. The Judge will pass or fail each dog after the first heat, except that a dog which has not failed, but not had the opportunity to point game may be called back for an opportunity to point prior to failing. The callback for opportunity to point shall be allowed only if in the Judge's opinion the dog is a dog of outstanding merit which has run an excellent course.

F. Changing Fields. In the event of changing a field, the time shall be stopped and started again. A dog that bumps birds on the left and on the right sides during the first minute of the first heat upwind on a new field shall not be failed. On the other hand, a dog that flushes a bird on purpose shall be failed.

G. Discretion in Handling Required. In all heats, the handler must use the voice and the whistle with discretion. The Judges will take into account excessive use of the voice and whistle by handlers in the scoring.

H. Behavior of Handlers. The dog will be failed and the handler will be disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct if the handler attempts to block the dog's view to restrain it from breaking to flush, to wing, or to wing and shot, as the situation may present.

I. Bells and Beeper Only Collars. In field trials where grouse or woodcock are the designated game to be hunted, handlers are permitted to run dogs with bells on their dogs' collars or with an electronic beeper only collar (defined as an electronic collar with beeper only, but containing no other capability for coercive electroniccontrol). Bells and electronic beeper only collars will not be otherwise permitted in any trial, without the specific approval of the UKC.

*J. Warm-Up Period. At the beginning of each heat, one minute of warm-up will be allowed for each dog. During this period, any points acquired shall be taken into account in scoring, but no faults committed during the relaxation period shall be taken into account in scoring the heat.

K. Conclusion of Heats. When the Judge announces the end of the heat, any point or fault committed thereafter shall not be taken into account. However, if the dog cannot be controlled by its handler and put on leash, this will be considered as a fault that shall be counted against the dog's performance in the heat.

L. Handling Following a Point. After the point, flush, fire of the gun and retrieve (when applicable) the handler must put his dog on leash and come back towards the Judge until the Judge orders the dog released again. M. Required Steadiness Sequence Open Dog Class

1. Steadiness to wing and shot is mandatory and required in order to win First Place or Reserve or to be awarded a Pass with Honor or a Pass in the Open Dog Class.

2. A dog in the Open Dog Class may receive a score of Pass or higher score only if the dog establishes a point on upland game and demonstrates the requisite steadiness to wing and shot. Judges shall be discriminating in awarding passes based on the requisite degree of steadiness required.

3. A dog in the Open Dog Class which chases furred game shall be disqualified, if not immediately brought under control of the handler.

4. A dog in the Open Dog Class which chases feathered upland game shall be disqualified.

5. In Type (L) liberated bird field trials, where game is shot and retrieving is required, in the Open Dog Class a retrieve upon command is required. A dog in the Open Dog Class shall receive credit for a successful retrieve, only after demonstrating the requisite steadiness sequence, and then retrieving the bird to hand upon command of the handler, after receiving authorization from the Judge to make the retrieve.

1. Steadiness to wing and shot in Gun Dog Class dogs is highly desirable, but not required. However, steadiness to wing (steadiness until the bird is flushed AND the gun has been fired) is required to win First Place or Reserve or to be awarded a Pass with Honor in the Gun Dog Class. A dog may receive a First Place, Reserve, or Pass with Honor only if a dog establishes a point on upland game and the dog remains steady to wing, as defined herein.

2. A dog in the Gun Dog Class may receive a score of Pass, but no higher score, if the dog remains steady to flush (steadiness until the bird is flushed). A dog in the Gun Dog Class may receive a Pass or better score only if the dog establishes a point on upland game and demonstrates the requisite steadiness as required herein for a score of Pass. Judges shall be discriminating in awarding Passes based on the requisite degree of steadiness to flush as required.

3. A dog in the Gun Dog Class which chases furred game shall be disqualified if not imme diately brought under control of the handler.

4. A dog in the Gun Dog Class which chases feathered upland game shall be disqualified if not brought immediately under control of the handler.

5. In Type (L) trials where game is shot, a retrieve is required to receive a score of Pass or better in the Gun Dog Class. Retrieving upon command and after receiving authorization from the Judge by a dog in the Gun Dog Class is highly desirable, but not required. A dog in the Gun Dog Class may receive credit for a successful retrieve if the dog retrieves without command by the handler after demonstrating the requisite steadiness, and delivers the bird to hand or to within fifteen (15) feet of the handler.

1. The dogs should quarter appropriately as the topography permits and cover the ground efficiently. The search for game must be particularly active and intelligent. The scoring relative to ground coverage shall depend on the topography of the ground, the thickness of the cover and the breed of the dog being judged.

2. Handlers and Judges will move at a walking pace without waiting for the dog. The dog should quarter to the front of the handler and not repeatedly cast behind the handler.

3. All dogs must always stay in contact with the handler and must obey him/her at all times.

1. Any field trial, or class within a field trial, may be advertised as running in braces except that the Gun Dog Class shall not be run in braces at Type (L) liberated bird field trials.

2. All dogs in braces trials are expected to honor (back) when a bracemate establishes a point on upland game.

3. If a single dog in braces competition establishes all the points on upland game encountered during a heat, and does not have the opportunity to demonstrate an honor (back) of a bracemate's point, no honor (back) shall be required. The opportunity for a dog to honor (back) shall not be set up or staged, if such honoring (backing) opportunity does not occur during the heat.

4. Dogs running in brace must remain in contact and be under control of their handler even if their bracemate commits a fault.

5. If a dog is encouraged by its bracemate to commit a fault when holding a point it shall not be penalized if it stands steady after the first command of its handler.

6. A dog shall not be awarded First Place, Reserve Placement, Pass with Honor or a Pass if the dog has not pointed upland game except a dog honoring point of its bracemate, without a point of its own, may Pass but may not win First Place, Reserve, or a Pass with Honor.

7. The handlers in heats run in braces shall endeavor to work shoulder to shoulder during the course, shall follow the directives of the Judges, and must remain under the control of the Judges.

8. No two dogs in the same class and handled/ owned by the same handler/owner shall run in the same brace.

9. Dogs in competition run in braces shall be failed should the handler hinder a bracemate by excessive use of voice or the whistle. The Judge shall issue a verbal warning prior to ordering a dog picked up for this reason.

10. Any dog that continuously hinders its bracemate in a heat or callback shall be failed.

11. Open Dog Class. A dog in braced competition that does not back or honor its bracemate’s point shall be failed. Once a dog honors or backs its bracemate, then the handler shall leash the dog honoring or backing and shall move to a safe location so that the flush, shot and retrieve (applicable in type (L) braced field trials) may be completed. A handler should command a dog to whoa and shall leash the dog as soon as possible, or may order the dog to heel until it can be leashed, if it appears that the dog intends to fail to honor a bracemate’s point.

A dog in the Open Dog Class which is commanded to whoa either once during the point and/or a backing dog which is commanded to whoa once during the commanded retrieve and complies with such command may Pass, but may not receive First Place, Reserve Placement or a Pass
with Honor. A dog shall be failed if the whoa command is given more than once to honor the point and/or if a backing dog is commanded more than once to honor the commanded retrieve.

In Type (L) liberated bird field trials where game is shot and the retrieve is required in the Open Dog Class, the dog which establishes the point shall be commanded to make the retrieve unless otherwise commanded by the Judge. A bracemate which interferes with the designated dog's retrieve of a shot bird shall be penalized and shall be failed if not brought immediately under control by the handler. The Judge may set up an opportunity for a retrieve as otherwise provided by these rules for a dog in the Open Dog Class which established the point on upland game and remained steady, when the bracemate failed to honor.

*12. Gun Dog Class. Dogs in the Gun Dog Class competing in brace in type (W) wild bird field trails as authorized under these rules are expected to honor (back) a bracemate’s point. Once a dog honors or backs its bracemate, then the handler shall leash the dog honoring and backing and shall move to a safe location, so that the flush and shot may be completed. Proper backing shall be taken into account in the scoring of the overall heat. The break and flushing of a bird pointed by a bracemate shall result in a dog's failure in the Gun Dog Class. However, partial failure of a dog in the Gun Dog Class to properly honor (back) shall not result in the immediate dismissal of a dog from contention to place or pass if the dog is brought immediately under control by the handler by verbal command such as "whoa," leashing the dog, or commanding the dog to heel. The partial failure to honor shall be taken into account in the scoring, along with the overall quality of the rest of the heat. A handler should command a dog to whoa and leash the dog, or may order the dog to heel if it appears that the dog intends to fail to honor a bracemate which is on point. A dog in the Gun Dog Class shall not be failed for the handler's discretionary and non-excessive use of the "whoa" command, but excessive use of the "whoa" command shall be taken into consideration.

1. All dogs must be obedient.

2. All dogs must indicate quickly and clearly the presence of game without encouragement to point.

3. A dog in the Open Dog Class that is verbally encouraged/discouraged, such as with a "whoa" after establishing a point on game, may Pass but shall not be awarded a First Place, Reserve Placement or a Pass with Honor. Dogs in the Gun Dog Class shall not be penalized if given only slight encouragement at the point. However, the amount of such encouragement may be taken into account by the Judge for scoring First Place, Reserve Placement and Pass with Honor. Dogs in the Gun Dog Class shall be penalized for receiving more than slight encouragement.

4. All dogs must not have non-justified bursts without purpose where they are chasing game, not in search of game or not under the control of the handler.

5. The dog must hold the point upon the arrival of its handler who will move without any rush.

6. If the couler is commanded, a dog must couler with decision in front of handler.

7. Long coulers are allowed if they are energetic and efficient.

8. The dog must couler if given the command to do so (decision of handler) and only at the command of the handler. An Open Dog Class dog that coulers prior to command to do so shall be failed. Dogs in the Gun Dog Class which couler prior to command shall be penalized.

*1. Placements - First Place and Reserve, and Additional Rankings


a. Open Dog Class

Are steady to wing and to shot. (After establishing the point, the dog must not move prior to or after the shot unless commanded by the handler to couler prior to the flush.) Retrieve to hand in Type (L) liberated game trials at the handler's command, after getting the Judge's authorization to make the retrieve. Run an excellent 15-minute course of outstanding merit as described by the dog's breed working standard. The winning dog and runner up (reserve) shall be placed accordingly, and the judges may also rank the next three (3) dogs which run in the barrage which shall receive the following designations: Pass with Honor 3rd, Pass With Honor 4th, and Pass With Honor, 5th. Such rankings shall be announced at the field trial and reported in any publications but such rankings shall not result in any additional points earned towards titles.

b. Gun Dog Class

Are steady to wing. (Steady through the flush and the point where the gun is fired unless commanded by the handler to couler prior to the flush.) Dogs in the Gun Dog Class may move at the shot, but must be brought immediately under control by the handler and shall not chase. Such movement will be taken into account in the scoring. Retrieve (in Type (L) liberated trials) to hand or within fifteen (15) feet of the handler. (Waiting to retrieve until the handler's command after getting the Judge's authorization is not required, but is desirable and should be taken into account by the Judge in the scoring.) Run an excellent 15-minute course of outstanding merit as described by the dog's breed working standard.

2. Pass with Honor and Pass


a. Open Dog Class

Pass with Honor: An Open Dog Class dog which completes a heat and runs an excellent course of outstanding merit, is steady to wing and shot and would otherwise be eligible for a Placement, but which does not receive First Place or Reserve Placement shall be eligible to receive a Pass with Honor.

Pass: An Open Dog Class dog which demonstrates the minimum requirements for Open Dog Class dogs as set forth in Section M above, but which is not otherwise eligible for a placement shall be eligible to receive a score of Pass.

b. Gun Dog Class

Pass with Honor: A dog in the Gun Dog Class which completes a heat and runs an excellent course of outstanding merit, is steady to wing (through the point where the bird is flushed and gun is fired) and would otherwise be eligible for placement, but which does not receive First Place or Reserve Placement shall be eligible to receive a Pass with Honor.

Pass: A dog in the Gun Dog Class which remains steady to flush (steady through the flush of the bird) and demonstrates the minimum requirements for Gun Dog Class dogs as set forth in Section M above, but which is not eligible for a Placement shall be eligible to receive a score of Pass.

*3. HIGH NATURAL QUAILITIES (HNQ)

The award for High Natural Qualities may only be given to a single dog in a field trial class in recognition of an excellent run, completed during the heat where: (1) a point was established but placement could not be awarded due to a training fault, or (2) the dog has an excellent run, exhibited no training faults, and lacked an opportunity to point. The HNQ is not a placement, but recognition of a dog with excellent potential and an encouragement to the owner or handler to perfect the training of a dog that shows excellent breed quality. The HNQ award is awarded solely by the sponsoring club and does not allow the dog any points within the UKC trialing system. A dog which earns a placement, Pass with Honor or Pass is not eligible for a HNQ award. Judges should be discriminate ing in awarding the HNQ award.

1. Missed or Bumped Game. The ground must be thoroughly searched. Any game bumped by the dog or flushed in close proximity to the dog shall be counted as an eliminating fault in the Open Dog Class and a penalized fault in the Gun Dog Class. Game that flushes wild or game that is
missed and is accidentally moved or flushed by the Judge, handler or any other person shall not be cause for elimination in either the Open Dog Class or the Gun Dog Class.

2. Flushing Game. A dog that deliberately flushes upland game at any point during the heat or is out of control of the handler during its course will be failed.

3. Chasing. A dog in the Open Class that chases feathered game shall be failed, and a dog in the Gun Dog Class that chases feathered game and cannot be brought under control by the handler will be failed. (Dogs in the Gun Dog Class may break at the shot but must be brought immediately under control by the handler to avoid being failed.) A dog that chases any other non-feathered game shall not be failed if the dog comes back after the first call of its handler and if the dog thereafter pursues its course normally.

4. False Points. A dog in the Open Dog Class or a dog in the Gun Dog Class will be failed that false points three times without any reason.

5. Out of Judgment. A dog in Open Dog Class or Gun Dog Class that is out of judgment or out of control of its handler shall be failed.

6. Barking. A dog in the Open Dog Class or Gun Dog Class that barks during its course shall be failed, except as permitted during the one minute relaxation period.

7. Gun-Shyness. All dogs in any class proving to be gun-shy shall be failed.

8. Hard Mouth. In Type (L) trials where shot game is retrieved, hard mouth dogs shall be failed. A dog which eats all or part of the shot game bird shall be failed.