Trials and variations
The Field|June 2021
As the line between gundogs and trialling dogs grows ever wider, David Tomlinson wonders whether it’s time to split the breed standards in two
David Tomlinson
Trials and variations

FERRARI makes beautiful cars, combining a great appearance with a stunning performance. However, there is one notable exception: its Formula 1 car. For ultimate performance, looks have to be sacrificed. I sometimes wonder whether we are guilty of a similar approach with our gundogs. All our breeds of gundogs, without exception, are handsome dogs but the ultimate performance dogs – those that compete in trials – are often far from good looking. Whether it be snipe nosed labradors or all-white springers with just one brown ear, trialling dogs rarely conform to the breed standard or anything like it.

As long as a dog is Kennel Club registered and the correct breed it can compete in a trial. Field trial judges are there to consider the dog’s performance, not its appearance. They might look disapprovingly at, say, a silver-colored labrador or a cocker that looks more like a small springer, but they are not going to disqualify a dog because of its looks. This explains why we have such a distinct division today between work and show lines. You are no more likely to win the Retriever Championship with a show-bred labrador than you are to win the British Grand Prix with a Ferrari designed for the road, not the race track.

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