Enthusiasts come from near, far for dog trials
Field dog trainer says
sport, ‘like tennis,’ has
place for everyone
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Norman Pasilone, Pittsgrove, positions his English pointer, Flatwood Maggie, after the dog found a bird walking in a field at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area on Sunday.
The English pointer stands motionless as it scents a bird. Even the crack of a pistol shot over its head does not make it flinch.
To the field dog enthusiast, this is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. This past week, the Middle Atlantic Field Dog Trials were held at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, one of several trials held there during the year.
Between 125 and 150 English setters, English pointers, Irish setters and German short-haired pointers were entered in competition, coming from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Connecticut, as well as New Jersey. It is the biggest trial in the region, and has been going strong for 40 years.
Lloyd Miller of Pennsylvania, who has been involved with the sport since 1956, explained some of the fine points of judging while following a brace on horseback.
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Champion English pointer, Flatwood Maggie, stands in the pointer position after spotting a bird at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area on Sunday.
Each brace consists of two dogs, and lasts about half an hour. Championships last one hour. The animals follow a course seeking sporting game, usually quail or pheasant, and this coursing simulates hunting.
Two judges, one for each dog, rides in front of the group, and observers on horseback must stay behind them. At mid-point, the judges switch and observe the other dog. The dogs are judged on how they run the course, general conformation and carriage, ground coverage, how many birds they find, and the point: high head, high tail, and not moving. When the bird flushes, the dog must stand stock still as a blank pistol is fired over it; no birds are ever shot during field trials.
According to Miller, a dog should always run on the edge of a field to find birds, and not go into the woods. When asked why the handlers were making a strange call to their dogs, Miller said this was a chant the handlers used so the dogs would know where they were, as the dogs often run far ahead and into the brush. Dogs are entered in different age divisions, and the one Miller was watching was a derby, for 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-year-olds. A dog’s prime is generally age 5 or 6, although dogs may continue to hunt until 9 or more.
Norman Basilone is a professional field dog trainer from Pittsgrove, Salem County. He and the dogs under his tutelage follow the field trial circuit from Canada to the Carolinas, Michigan to New England.
According to Basilone, the ideal bird dog has athleticism, style, carriage, a strong nose and superior intelligence. Tracking collars are used on all dogs; "every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of the animals," he said.
He emphasized that there is a place in the sport for everyone, "It’s like tennis — there’s a level of playing for everyone, from geriatric to small child, and all income levels," he said.
This is a wonderful sport for those who "like the out-of-doors, riding horses, competition and bird dogs," he added.
He admits the numbers of participants are dwindling and believes it is due to the loss of open land in an increasingly suburbanized America. Basilone suggests that those who are interested in the sport attend trials and talk to participants. There are also Web sites and chat rooms devoted to bird dogs. There are between 50 and 60 clubs in this region, and each separate breed has sanctioned trials. While champion dogs are very expensive, puppies can be purchased for about $200 to $300. Basilone said that some owners keep their dogs in kennels, while others have them as house pets. He feels it is wrong to generalize about the best way of keeping a hunting dog.
The sport is especially popular in the south, said Basilone. Its origins date from the early 1800s, when one plantation would compete their hunting dogs against another. The breeds of horses used are also of southern origin. They are an integral part of the sport. Gaited horses such as Tennessee Walkers or Missouri Fox Trotters are preferred, as they are bred for comfortable distance riding. A wrangler is available at trials to rent horses to those who wish to view the action and do not have their own mount.
Bill Ricci, Millstone Township, was the co-chair for the Middle Atlantic Association Field Trial, and has been involved in field trials for 20 years. "This area produces a high number of the best dogs in the country, " he said.
He noted that this is a nice family sport, and that field trialers pump a lot of money into the local economy. Besides patronizing motels and restaurants, they must buy feed for their horses and dogs. Hay must be purchased, at a price of between $6 and $7 a bale, to feed about 50 horses over several days. Local caterers are hired for social receptions. The club also releases 300 healthy, state-certified bobwhite quail into the Assunpink. These birds were purchased from a nearby breeder for $4 each.
The Middle Atlantic trial started last Thursday and concluded Monday.
For more information on field dog trials, visit www.dogtrial.com.