RUNNING RULES FOR VIZSLA BREED FIELD TRIALS

Basic Purpose

We of the Running Rules Committee feel that the strict enforcement of these rules should be at the discretion of the field trial committee of each individual trial, but it is hoped that each committee will use these rules at least as a guide.

Running Rules Committee: Dr Richard Reinhardt, Don Anderson & Len Hartl

Note: These have been tentatively approved by the Board of Directors and used at the Fall Field Trial 1965. The membership is asked to read these carefully and send any suggestions to the Chairman, Dick Reinhard, 104 E 21^st., Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Final acceptance will be made at the annual membership meeting in the spring.)

SUGGESTIONS TO THE JUDGES

This section is to be presented to the judges simply to acquaint them with the feelings of the Vizsla Club of America as a guide to what we, as a national breed organization, are looking for in our dog. It is recognized that the judges will be the final authority in judging the various stakes.)

1. It is suggested that, if at all possible, a judges critique be held immediately prior to the running of each stake advising the handlers of the important points of judging for that particular stake. (i.e. minimum of hacking in a derby stake or the difference in performance expected between the various stakes.)
2. Puppies shall not be given credit for being staunch on point or steady to wing & shot.
3. A Derby dog will be given due credit for being staunch on point but should not be credit for steady to wing & shot.
4. The VCOA would like to emphasize the difference between the All-Age & Gun Dogs. We endorse paragraphs three and four on page 38 of the AKC Red Book
5. It is suggested that the All-Age Vizsla be rated higher for intelligent hunting rather than for extreme range without good bird sense. A fast pace with wide range is very desirable but the objectives should be hunted thoroughly and a dog that is just “running” around should not be placed over one that is intelligently hunting with maybe a little less range and speed.
6. It is suggested that a distinction be made between dogs hunting independently at wide range & dogs out of control.
7. It is suggested that judges should help young & inexperienced handlers by making helpful suggestions as the opportunity occurs during the running of a heat. This, of course, should only be done in a manner that will not indicate favoritism to either handler or interfere with the running of the heat.
8. It is suggested that handlers by admonished on the spot for rule infractions.
9. It is suggested that the judges feel free to order a dog taken up when either he or his handler have interfered with the work of a brace mate. One warning should be considered sufficient.

Recommendations To Field Trial Committee

1. Any person who receives or has received, either directly or indirectly, compensation for training or handling dogs, or who has accepted a cash prize or prizes, or other valuable consideration for handling dogs other than his own in field trial competition is classified by the Vizsla Club of America as a professional handler. All handlers not classed as professional shall have amateur standing. In the event of any protest, the Field Trial Committee will decide the status of the handler in question.
2. The Vizsla Club of America shall use AKC Red Book Plan B for the bracing & running of its stakes.
3. The Field Trial Committee Chairman shall appoint one member of the committee to be thoroughly versed in the rules of the “Red” book and to interpret same if the occasion demands during the trial. It is advised that the Field Trial Chairman or members of the Field Trial Committee avoid making arbitrary rulings without first consulting this committee member.
4. The Field Trial Committee shall see that the Gunners are properly instructed as to their duties and birds flushed wildly or by a free running dog shall not be shot. Every effort shall be made to secure gunners that are not participants in the trial, and that have the highest regard for gun safety as well as being excellent marksmen.
5. When at all possible, Field Marshalls should be chosen from those members of the club that are not active participants in the trial.
6. If the judges & field marshall do not wish to keep their own time in the Bird Field, it is recommended that the Field Trial Committee appoint an uninterested individual to keep said time. Time shall be called each time a dog goes on point & held until he has completed his retrieve. Time shall be started when the first dog enters the bird field unless this dog is out of control.
7. No less than two birds shall be planted in the bird field for each heat and the Field Trial Committee shall see that the planters are properly instructed in their job. A minimum of “dizzying” or better yet none at all should be employed, gloves should be worn, birds should not be carried next to planters body & should be handled in such a manner as to preserve their best flying qualities. Burlap bags & similar containers used to carry birds should not be left on the ground in the vicinity of the course to distract dogs.
8. It is recommended that, unless there is an adequate supply of game in the Back Course, the Field Marshall shall release “in flight” a new bird each time he sees one leave the course.
9. It is recommended that the Field Trial Committee restrict the use of the trial grounds so that dogs that are to participate will not be allowed to run over the course for a period of at least three weeks prior to each trial.
10. If at all possible, courses should be selected for Gun Dog stakes that contain more cover in a smaller area than do the courses for All-Age stakes & it is desired that the courses for all stakes contain a variety of cover & objectives which will bring out the best in an intelligent bird dog.
11. It is recommended that Gun Dog stakes be handled afoot except that a physically handicapped handler may be mounted.
12. Any handler who displays unsportsmanlike conduct or who is seen to kick, stick or otherwise severely abuse a dog while on the grounds of a field trial at any time during the holding of the trial may be expelled from competition at the trial by the field trial committee.
13. It is recommended, when a club’s trials are held semi-annually that the dates, place, judges & field trial committee be selected & voted upon at the board of directors meeting six months preceeding each trial.
14. It is recommended that professional trainers & handlers shall not hold an office (other than honorary) in the Vizsla Club of America, nor shall they serve as an active member of any field trial committee.
15. It is recommended the Puppy stakes shall be non-shooting stakes
16. It is recommended that Derby stakes shall not be shoot to kill stakes. A list follows of functions of FT Committee members (not included here)

RECOMMENDATIONS TO HANDLERS

1. It is recommended that no training or disciplinary device be worn or displayed while handling a dog in competition. (Flushing whip, heavy collar, etc)
2. IT is recommended that dogs should be permitted to hunt naturally & without driving. The dog that does its job with the least amount of handling is usually judged superior.
3. It is recommended that a shot be fired over the dog only when he is performing correctly. The shot should be fired while the bird is still within normal gun range. A shot should be fired over a properly executed “stop to flush”.
4. In All-Age & Gun Dog stakes, it is recommended that a period of at least three seconds be allowed to elapse after the bird is dropped before the dog is ordered to retrieve. In some instances the judges may wish the retrieve delayed until they request it, and these directions should, of course, be followed.
5. When one handler is handling from horseback & the other on foot, the foot handler shall set the pace, but this pace should be that of a fast walk. Should any handler be guilty of slowing the pace either for the advantage of his dog or the disadvantage of his brace mate, he should be warned by the
   Field Marshall & if he persists should be disqualified by the judges. The same holds true for the handler on horseback who persists in pushing the pace.
6. In no cast should a handler run, either on foot or horseback to a dog making game.
7. A handler should at no time physically handle his dog while under judgment unless he is asked to do so by a judge or unless he is afraid his dog wil interfere with the work of his brace mate (i.e. it is proper to heel a dog away from a marked bird but not to lead him away by the collar)

 

This website composes the private and public collections & lifetime investments of Vizslak peoples around the world with an initial focus on the USA & the field because that is the information SITmUP has processed....so far. Please "respect" our collective work on thevizslaksentinel.com and do not use in an unexpected way. The individual collections form the cornerstones of every Vizsla living and owned by "you" today.

If respected by the readers, the information on this website will remain & grow.

 

If "you" wish to reprint whole body text or "historical photos" please request written permission from The Vizslak Sentinel by contacting  vizwizdlb@yahoo.com .

Credit should be given by providing the appropriate Sentinel URL

when quotes or articles are republished.

 

   

Bibliography & Glossary  

"The Vizslak Sentinel "  (c) Jan 13, 2009

Product of Stuck In The mud Underground Publishing (SITmUP)