Western Cape Field Trial Club
This is a club for British pointing breed enthusiasts. We were formed in 2000 by a group of all breed pointing dog enthusiasts and we ran it as a club for all pointing breeds from 2000 to 2022. From 2023 onwards our emphasis is on the British Breed pointing dogs, pointers and setters, and we host a trial in mid-May for British breeds. The other breeds are welcome but it is judged on British Breed standards.
The club was formed in 2000 and it immediately had its history in the Bredasdorp/Struisbaai area where our first trial was attended by 37 dogs in the championship. It then moved its headquarters from Struisbaai to the Napier region and then more towards the Greyton area. The Western Cape Field Trial trials are ably supported by people from KZN, the Border regions, Gauteng and locals.
Our members and participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but we all have in common our love for the dogs, birds, conservation and outdoors.
TRIALS
Field trial competitions are held on wild birds in a genuine hunting environment and format, and the dogs are judged on their ability to find and produce game for the handler. The judges look for top bird dogs with finding ability, manners and class.
‘THE STANDARD’
The dog must hunt and handle all the accepted species of indigenous game birds … and ABOVE ALL he must be in total harmony with his handler, as there can only be one measure for a good dog and that is how well he serves the gun.
TRAINING
In addition to the field trials, we offer some training, tests and field meets. In the months preceding our field trials, we hold weekend surveys where dogs and handlers get to do the real thing in the field on wild birds.
For the first time I found myself experiencing the thrill of seeing a top class bird-dog in action. It was the start of a love-affair that was to change the course of my life.