Tops in Her Field
by Ellen English

Labradors have been bred for over two centuries to become the retrieving specialists that we've come to know, cherish and depend on in the field. While thi retrieving ability may come naturally, it is only with very specialized training that dogs can compete successfully in AKC Field Trials. According to the AKC, the function of a Non-Slip Retriever is to seek and retrieve fallen game when ordered to do so. He should sit quietly on line or in the blind, walk at heel, or assume any station designated by his handler until sent to retrieve. When ordered, a dog should retrieve quickly and briskly without unduly disturbing too much ground, and should deliver tenderly to hand. He should then await further orders. Accurate marking is of primary importance. A dog which marks the fall of a bird, uses the wind, follows a strong cripple, and will take direction from his handler is of great value.

While the tests in these competitions are based on the potential challenges in a real hunting situation, field trials present an intense concentration of these challenges, requiring dogs and their handlers to perform at a high degree of precision. The instruction involved is quite demanding and often takes years of training, frequently with the help of professional trainers. Very few hunters take their dogs training to this level, consequently the average hunting companion dog cannot accomplish the difficult tests posed in a field trial. A dog trained for field trials, however, is sure to be a great asset in retrieving fallen game. With them, you have experts in their field!

Ideally, a dog will line or go straight from the handlers side to a bird on the initial sending by the handler. However, terrain changes make it unlikely that a dog can maintain this line, particularly on a long mark. The handler must then cast them back on line towards the fallen bird, with use of a whistle and hand signals and often at some distance from the dogs position in the field. The communication and trust between dog and handler is amazing to behold. Zinger, owned and handled by Dr. Mac DuBose, is an outstanding example of the intelligent obedience it takes to compete in the ultimate American field trial events.

The 2002 National or Open as its often referred to, was held November 10th through the 16th at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, a scenic natural area of almost 7000 acres near St. Louis, Missouri. This AKC licensed event has been held annually since 1941 and is rotated between four regions across the US. According to the AKC: Field trials have grown to be highly competitive based on the continuing improvement of the training and skill development in field trial dogs. Contrary to popular myths suggesting that the length and speed of the retrieve are the primary factors in a field trial, other factors such as terrain and wind as well as the combination of how the marks interact with each other contribute significantly to the difficulty. It takes years of training to achieve the accumulation of a dog's knowledge to compete successfully.

This years Open consisted of 10 series or groups of tests. Each series presented a different set of challenges, equally divided between land and water problems, and got progressively more difficult. Starting with approximately 90 dogs, there was a gradual elimination process leading to a field of 11 finalists. Of these, only 3 had not handled on a mark, Zingers owner and handler Dr. Mac DuBose explains. Once sent out on a line, these 3 had not required further direction or handling in order to find the downed bird. From those 3, the winner was chosen based on style, memory and overall performance (there is no second place.) The last series was a land quad involving 2 fliers and 2 dead over a long distance stretch of very difficult terrain. The last bird was a long flier that fell more than 30 yards beyond where other the other dogs had worked. She put on a long hunt but came up with it DuBose remembers. After the Open concluded, one of the judges commented that he gave her credit for the courage to stay and hunt that bird out. Despite that difficult mark, Zinger had done the best job overall in the 10 series.

When asked about his own impressions of her performance, Dr. DuBose says in spite of being 9 years old, she ran with the enthusiasm of a 3 year old and seemed to get stronger as the trial progressed. Every dog at the National had to earn the right to be there by qualifying with a win and 2 additional points. To win a national, however, it not only takes a dog and her handler working as a team, but an element of good luck. He's referring to such factors as the wind, the terrain, where a bird falls, the time of day and its inherent lighting conditions, which can all play a big part in the outcome. DuBose added that he actually thought his wife Lynne and her finalist Chicka had won!

Zinger's official name, NFC-AFC Cashman's Fat Lady Zingin, relates to the famous saying: It ain't over til the fat lady sings! She was first owned by the Cashman family and Greg Oothoudt and was well socialized and very well traveled by the age of two, often flying with Greg on his frequent trips. Andy Attar trained her for almost 2 years during which time she attained 29 Derby points and won a qualifying trial. Since being acquired by the DuBose family, Zinger has trained with Mike Lardy and Dave Smith of Handjem Retrievers. She typically trains twice a year with Handjem: a winter training session in January and February plus a summer session. Most of the time however, she lives and trains with the DuBose family who campaign her themselves at the field trials. Last year she was a finalist at both the National Amateur and the National Open, coming very close to winning at both of these top level competitions. When asked to comment on the remarkable record of Handjem-trained retrievers, Dr. DuBose speaks with great respect for Mike Lardy: he has won 6 National Open Championships himself and amateurs running their own dogs which have trained with Lardy, have been very successful in the National Amateur as well. While very reserved in taking credit for his own accomplishments and obvious dedication to the sport, Dr. DuBose is proud to speak of his wife Lynne who won the National Amateur in both 92 and 98. Quite impressively, Mac and Lynne were the only 2 amateur handlers in the final series and between the two of them, handled 3 of the eleven finalists.

This year Zinger had a very busy spring, Dr. DuBose explains, at 8 years of age, she raised 10 puppies- her first and only litter. Back in training by mid-summer, Zinger won 3 trials this fall which qualified her for this years National Open as well as the 2003 Amateur. By winning the 2002 Open, she is automatically qualified for it again in 2003. Nine years old on October 24 th, Zinger leads a full and happy life. She sleeps beside Macs bed half of the time, and in the kennel attached to their home the other half. They have several Labs, all of whom are invited in for supper. ours, not theirs-no begging allowed, DuBose explains with a smile in his voice. Mac and Lynne maintain a big oval tub of dog toys just inside the door such that when the four legged family members come in, they each grab their favorite and bring it into the living room, where they trade back and forth or guard protectively as the case may be! Zinger also loves to go for rides with Mac, where, from the back seat of his truck, she helps him drive. While Dr. DuBose is retired from thoracic and general surgery, he maintains an office where Zinger can frequently be found curled up under his desk, where the average visitor might neve guess this unassuming Lab to be the celebrity athlete that she is!

Tail End:

If youd like to learn more about field trials, we invite you to visit the following links:

• All Labs' Field Glossary

• AKC 2002 Open and general field trial info

• Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Retrievers

• Working Retriever Central

• August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
  
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