The History and Development of Natural Game Field Trials
Competitive gundog field trials in New Zealand date back to the early 1900s and form an important part of the country’s hunting and working dog heritage. Today, wild gamebird trials for Pointers and Setters represent the highest standard of testing for hunting dogs under real New Zealand shooting conditions.
These trials showcase the natural hunting ability, discipline, and teamwork between handler and dog — qualities essential for a true shooting companion.
Early Gundog Trials in New Zealand
Early field trials were originally administered by the New Zealand Kennel Club using rules based on the English Kennel Club system. At that time, both purebred and crossbred gundogs competed together until breed registration regulations were introduced in the 1930s.
Modern field trials are now governed by the New Zealand Gundog Trials Association (NZGTA), established in 1936 to promote and regulate gundog trialling nationwide.
The NZGTA:
Sets trial rules and performance standards
Appoints qualified judges
Awards Field Trial titles and championships
Supports affiliated gundog clubs throughout New Zealand
Membership is gained through affiliated clubs, with around 30 clubs operating across the country.
The First Pointer & Setter Trials
In the early years, trials were conducted over wild gamebirds, but increasing participation and declining bird numbers led to the use of feral pigeons as substitutes. Pigeons were initially shot over dogs until legislation outlawed the practice in 1954.
For the following 36 years, Pointer and Setter trials relied on:
Blank shots fired over homing pigeons released from cages
Cold game retrieves to simulate hunting conditions
While these methods allowed trials to continue, many hunters believed they failed to properly test a pointing dog’s true hunting ability.
At the time, New Zealand law also prevented the managed release of gamebirds. Early settlers had rejected the European class-based hunting system and ensured hunting remained freely accessible — but without private investment, sustainable bird populations were limited to only a few regions.
The Reintroduction of Natural Game Trials
When the Pointer & Setter Club formed in 1983, many hunters believed that field trial dogs performed poorly in real hunting situations. Although this perception was not entirely accurate, pigeon-based trials sometimes rewarded dogs that lacked genuine wild-bird ability.
Club members set out to change this.
Over seven years, dedicated enthusiasts developed and refined natural gamebird trials using pheasant and quail. Their goal was simple:
To test pointing dogs under genuine hunting conditions on wild birds.
After extensive lobbying throughout the late 1980s, these trials were granted Championship status in 1990 by the NZGTA.
The First Championship Game Trial
The inaugural Pointer & Setter Championship game trial took place in Woodhill Forest and attracted eight entries. Judges withheld the challenge award, believing performances did not yet meet the required standard — establishing a clear expectation that championships would never be easily won.
Participation quickly grew:
1991 — 16 entries
1992 — 21 entries (a record at the time)
The first game trial challenge was awarded in 1991 to English Setter bitch Wingfield Lace, followed by Irish Setter Erinvale Captain (imp UK) in 1992.
Growth of Game Trials and New Titles
Continued advocacy by the Pointer & Setter Club shaped modern trialling in New Zealand:
1996: All gundog clubs granted an annual Pointer & Setter natural game championship
1997: Creation of the Field Champion (FCh) title (awarded for wins on natural game)
2007: Introduction of the Grand Field Champion (GrFCh) title for sustained excellence
These developments shifted the emphasis from simulated performance toward proven hunting ability on wild birds.
Judging and International Influence
The introduction of A and B judging panels encouraged experienced hunters to become accredited judges. Trials have also benefited from visiting judges from the UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia.
International judges consistently remark on the difficulty of New Zealand terrain, including:
Steep and broken hill country
Scrub-filled gullies
Dense pine forests
These environments differ greatly from English moorlands or Australian plains and demand exceptional endurance and intelligence from working dogs.
How Natural Game Trials Work
New Zealand Pointer & Setter game trials follow UK-based rules adapted for local conditions.
Key features include:
Two judges officiating due to challenging terrain
Dogs running in pairs (“braces”) decided by ballot
Non-shooting trials held outside gamebird season
Blank shots used to simulate shooting
First-round runs of approximately 20 minutes
Multiple rounds to determine final placings
When one dog points game, the bracemate may “back” or honour the point. At the end of competition, placed dogs must complete a cold game retrieve, reflecting the expectation that all NZ shooting dogs retrieve game reliably.
Wild birds encountered are primarily pheasant and quail, and trials must be conducted on genuinely wild birds.
What Judges Look For
Judges aim to identify:
“The dog which pleases most from the shooting point of view.”
Credits include:
Effective ranging and ground coverage
Intelligent bird finding
Staunchness on point
Steadiness to flush and shot
Efficient retrieving
Eliminating faults include:
Chasing or flushing birds deliberately
Poor control or excessive handling
Refusal to retrieve
Hard mouth (damaging game)
Persistent false pointing
Quality of work always outweighs the number of birds found — although the best dogs consistently locate birds others miss.
The New Zealand Field Champion
A titled NZ Field Champion represents the ideal shooting dog:
Fast, tireless and methodical in the field
Able to locate and hold birds accurately
Steady to flush and shot
Controlled and cooperative with the handler
Reliable, gentle retriever to hand
These dogs have proven themselves under authentic New Zealand hunting conditions.
A Modern System Built on Tradition
Since the early development of natural game trials in the 1980s, New Zealand has created a world-class system for testing pointing breeds as true hunting dogs.
Today’s Pointer & Setter game trials continue to evolve while maintaining their original purpose:
To preserve and improve the working ability of pointing breeds under real New Zealand shooting conditions.