WHAT SPORTS CAN I DO WITH MY GOLDEN?

There are a variety of clubs and competition you as a dog owner can get involved in. We have tried to give a short  overview of some. Even if you do not want to compete in trials with your dog a lot of clubs hold training classes for the different sports so you can still get involved.

Some of the benefits of training your Golden Retriever:

	You and your dog can become a team, and develop and strengthen your relationship.
	You will form a closer bond with each other
	Training builds communication, respect and understanding between you and your dog
	It is a responsible way to socialise your dog
	Your dog will become a well adjusted and well behaved member of your family.
	He will better understand his boundaries and know what’s expected of him and therefore will have    fewer anxieties.
	With training your dog walk  beside you on a leash without pulling or strangling, so you and your dog will enjoy your daily walks and spend more time together.
	You can receive a discount off registration (some states) for obedience trained dogs with a basic obedience level certificate.
	There is a great enjoyment in watching your dog work, especially at sports they thoroughly enjoy and for which they were bred.

• Obedience Trials

• Any dog - pedigreed or mixed breed can enter obedience trials. For a lot of people who have reached novice level of obedience at training they can go on and compete in trials.  There are three levels of obedience trials starting from  Novice then Open and Utility. Dogs are to wear a fixed or slip collars in the obedience ring.

Retrieving Trials

For registered gundogs.  This sport consists of simulated shooting conditions. These events are designed to test the various gundog breeds in the type of work for which they were bred. They provide people with the opportunity to test the appropriate temperament and natural working instincts of their dogs.

We have an information page on this sport if you are interested please click on the button below.

Gundog Working Test

This is a modification of the more demanding gundog work in the field. This will allow you to develop the basics of retrieving and teach and learn how to handle your dog for simple marked retrieves. It allows you and you dog to experience a bit of the hunting environment for gundogs that have never worked in the field. There are two levels of Gundog Working Test – Novice and Open. To attain a qualifying score in a Gundog Working Test, an overall pass of at least 50% in each exercise and an overall score of not less than 75%, will entitle a dog to receive a Gundog Test Certificate. No official titles are awarded in Gundog Working Tests.

The objectives of the Gundog Working Test are:

• To introduce Retrieving to gundog owners.

• To allow Retrieving basics to be taught under easy conditions.

• To allow handlers to improve control area performance.

• To allow gundogs to experience their natural instincts.

Novice:  Heel 20 metres. Recall from 25 to 30 metres from stand, sit or down position. Stop the dog during a Recall from 35 to 40 metres. Single Marked Retrieve.

Open:  Heel 25 metres. Recall from 25 to 30 metres from sit or down position. 1minute Stay and Recall from 35 to 40 metres. Double Marked Retrieve, order nominated by Judge.

Endurance Test

Any dog - pedigreed or mixed breed can enter between 2 and 8 years of age. The "ET" Endurance Test demonstrates the dog's ability to work after being subject to a certain degree of physical strain without showing signs of undue stress or lack of constitution.

The dog must wear a fixed collar or suitable harness. The leash must be long enough (approx. 2 metres) and held in either hand so that the dog may adjust itself to the cyclist or runner and the dog is to gait on the left hand side of the handler or bicycle. The handler may jog the distance, ride a bicycle or use any other form of non motorised mechanical vehicle with the dog, provided the required speed is maintained.

The test consists of 20kms covered in 3 legs of 8kms, 6kms, 6kms with rest periods in between. The test is carried out over three different surfaces such as bitumen, dirt, grass etc.  At the beginning, end and during rest periods the dogs will receive a veterinary check covering general fitness, temperature, standing heart rate, condition of pads. At the beginning and the end of the competition a short obedience test will be conducted on and off the lead and will include a recall. A certificate for the title of "ET" will be issued for each qualifying dog.

Tracking Trials

Any dog - pedigree or mixed breed but the dog must have at least one Novice obedience trial pass to be eligible to enter a tracking test. The purpose of tracking is for the dog to follow a human scent trail and find the missing person at the end. Tracking is an activity that the dog must use it's initiative and scenting ability to achieve.

In order to obtain titles for tracking the dogs must complete the tracking qualification test and then can compete in tracking trials test 1 through to test 6.

TRACKING QUALIFICATION TEST:  In this test the dog must track a known Tracklayer for approximately 300 metres. There will be one change of direction of approximately 90 degrees not less than 100 metres after the start. The track must be not less than 10 minutes nor more than 30 minutes old. The dog must find the Tracklayer and considered to be tracking by the Judge to obtain a Pass. No grades are awarded, merely "Pass" or "Fail".

Agility

Any dog - pedigree or mixed breed over 18 months old can enter an Agility trial. Agility is a sport in which a handler is given a set amount of time to direct a dog through an obstacle course. The dog is to work off lead.  The obstacles used in agility are the A Frame, Dog Walk, See-Saw, Tunnel, Table, Weave Poles, Tyre or Hoop Jump,  other types of Jumps.

The handler can give an unlimited number of commands or signals to their dogs, but cannot touch either the equipment or the dog during the competition. The dogs are timed and incur penalties for failing to correctly negotiate an obstacle  or performs an obstacle out of sequence, or  exceeding the set time limit.  

Flyball

Is a team sport of which each team is made up of four dogs who compete in a relay race.

A flyball course  consists of a starting line, four hurdles spaced ten feet apart, and a spring-loaded box at the end that shoots out a tennis ball.  The purpose is for the dog to start at the starting line, jump all four hurdles, step on the box and catch the tennis ball, then run back over the four hurdles to cross the starting line. Once the first dog has crossed back over the starting line, the second dog goes through the course and so on until all four dogs have completed the course. The winning team is the first one with all four dogs to complete the course without errors.