How the Working side started   

Following the formation of the club in 1973 several of the founder members including Jennifer Sweetenham, Margaret Balaam And Dorothy Skellorn arranged group training for the members Goldens to improve their working ability in Tests and Field Trials.

In those early days most Goldens were used both in the Show ring and for working, retrieving shot game. If one looks back at photographs taken both before and after the 2nd World War many of the Champion dogs were “Dual Purpose” good looking, with substance and a darker coat. The modern working Golden has generally retained the darker coat and its traditional colouring .Is fast, stylish with good game finding ability and endurance through the shooting day.

   Our club has ,from those early days, arranged both working tests and Field Trials. Many take part in the working Tests but not the Field Trials, and those that do , enjoy with their dogs these Summer activities.

Working Tests are based as near as possible to a normal days shooting and each test is designed to challenge the dogs training. Test are divided between Puppies ( under 2yrs of age), Novice and Open dogs.

The latter are dogs which have either won a Novice Test or had an award in Open Tests or Field Trials. The Field Trial season runs from 1st September to 1st February , although Trials can be run on Grouse after the 12th August. The standard of training is expected to be higher than for working test and experience on game a necessary requirement.

   Trials are arranged for Novice dogs and the winner is then eligible to compete in Open stakes, which we are also allowed to hold. Some clubs are granted permission by the Kennel Club to hold a Two day stake which currently carries automatic qualification to the retriever Championship. To obtain the title of Field Trial Champion, a dog must win a Two day and a One day trial or Three One day trials. This is an achievement we all dream of obtaining but only a few succeed.

These days the standard of dog work is extremely high and considerable time and effort is therefore given to training .

   The training day is good fun and enjoyable, there is no requirement to enter tests. The satisfaction is to see their “best friend” enjoying themselves retrieving dummies and learning to respond to basic commands.

Stuart Robson Sept 2009

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