RETRIEVERS

​GUIDE DOGS REQUIRED

GUIDE DOGS: Due to the Covid 19 pandemic Guide Dogs had no option but to pause breeding and training of our dogs for five months.  We had to do this to keep our staff, volunteers, and service users safe, and it was the right thing to do for our dogs too. 

But the impact of Covid didn’t stop once lockdown lifted. There has been a significant “long covid” impact on the number of partnerships we are able to create, such as dogs requiring longer training times or ultimately not being successful due to a lack of socialisation as young puppies 
This means that for many people waiting for a guide dog, their wait has increased. Whilst we are taking significant long-term steps to address this, we need to consider other shorter-term measures that will help us meet our stated ambitions and goals for helping people with sight loss. 
We are seeking young adult dogs from the general dog population with the potential to enter training and help more people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well. ​
Dog Specification ​
​​Physical characteristics 
Essential 
  • 12 months to 3 years of age 
  • Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and their cross breeds with any other typical guide dog breed 
  • Presents in general good health and condition 
  • Vaccinated  
Desirable 
  • Neutered 
  • Parental hip score (<15 bilaterally even), elbow (0/0) and eye examination (PRA clear) 
For further information on other requirements regarding socialisation, training & behaviours contact .
Simon Lynn
Head of Canine Assisted Services - S.West & Wales
email: simonlynn@guidedogs.org.uk
2022

WORKING TEST 



Bristol and West Working
Gundog Society KC Id. 344
 
50th Anniversary
 
AV Retriever Working Test
(To be held under Kennel Club rules)
 
Novice and Open Working Test
22 May 2022
At Laverton Hill Farm, Snowshill, WR12 7JZ
By kind permission of Mr J Preece and Mr J Phillips
Judges
Mr S McGrath (A3010), Mrs A Wales, Mrs D Polley and Mr R Mort
Sponsored by Skinners Pet Foods and Firedog

Meet at 9.00 for 9.30 start
Novice in the morning.  Special prize for highest placed junior handler in Novice (16 & Under)
Open not before 1.00pm
There will be a raffle at lunch time,
Entry fees: Members £10.00 non-members £12.00
Entries close 14th May 2022 (No entries on the day)
Entries and fees made payable to BWWGS and sent to: -
Mr David Godding, Highfield, Middle Hill, Chalford Hill, Stroud, Glos, GL6 8BD
OR USING FTMS
If you would like a copy of the draw please enclose an SAE or a LEGIBLE email address
Tel mobile on day 07990 519490 
email godding73@gmail.com
 
Raffle prizes will be gratefully received 😁. All handlers will receive a commemorative memento to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
Vet on call: Hook Norton Veterinary Group : 01608 730501
 
 
 
 
 
Directions:- Directions are from the village of Snowshill and signs will be out on the day.  It is not possible to access the property from the village of Laverton, although some GPS systems may show that it is!  Driving through Snowshill with the Snowshill Arms pub on the right hand side, as you go out of the village up a steep hill take the right hand fork before the crest of the hill.  It is a single track road for nearly 2mls, with few passing places.  Past Sheepscombe Byre holiday cottage on the right, continue straight on up an incline and round sharp right bend.  Eventually you will see Laverton Hill Farm House.  Continue along the track to the front of the house to the test site.
 
 
 
 
Qualifications for AV Retriever Working Test
Novice: - Any dog or bitch not having won 1st 2nd or 3rd in an open test or 1st in a novice test, or any Field Trial award including C of M.
Puppy tests excluded.
Open: - Open to All
Conditions of Entry
  1. All dogs to be registered as a recognized Retriever breed at the Kennel Club. Other dogs may run “not for competition” at the discretion of the Working Test Secretary.
  2. All Working Tests will be conducted in accordance with the Kennel Club Field Trial Regulations (section J).  Dogs must be registered at the Kennel Club.
  3. All persons attending the Working Test must consider themselves under the control of the Judges and Working Test Secretary. They must be dressed appropriately and conduct themselves according to shooting field practices and traditions.
  4. Only the handler whose name appears on the official entry form may handle the dog on the day.
  5. Any dog suffering from any infectious or contagious disease must not be brought to the test ground.
  6. Bitches in season must not be brought to the test ground.
  7. Completed entry forms must be received by the Working Secretary by the closing date. An incorrect fee or illegible entry will not be accepted. The Club reserves the right to refuse any entry. If an entry appears to have been lost in the post, the dog will be allowed to run in the test but only on a “not for competition” basis. The relevant entry fee must be paid on the day of the test. If the entry is subsequently received in the post, that cheque will be destroyed by the Working Test Secretary.
  8. After the closing date for the test, no refunds of entry fees will be given unless a medical or veterinary certificate is provided to certify that the handler/dog is unfit to take part.
  9. Failure to return arm bands will incur a fine of £20.00.
  10. The Club accepts no responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
 
 

                           

Entry form: Click here

Code of Best Practice for Retriever FT Competitors: Click here
Risk Assessment: Click here
​Before entering a Field Trial please familiarize yourself with Kennel Club J Rules and Regulations for Field Trials, the BWWGS Standing Instructions and our Risk Assessment.

Some members are still not paying the correct amount of subs; this is now £10. Please check your standing order which should be paid on the 1st March annually. Only fully paid up members will be given preference in our trial draws.​
Training:
​Nothing arranged at present

RETRIEVERS
There are eight breeds classified by the Kennel Club as Retrievers: Chesapeake Bay; Curly Coated; Flat Coated; Golden; Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Many are still active in Working Tests and the Field Trials, but, Labradors are by far the most numerous and successful. The Golden Retriever is next and the Flat Coated Retriever is sadly rarely seen in Open Trials these days. With their air scenting ability and excellent noses, Flatcoats were once the main stay of the shooting field and I have seen them work very well in Sweden where they shoot mostly in the forest where the breed has been developed for this purpose and is still very popular.

Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland. Bred by the Earl of Tweedmouth at Guisachan, they are still favoured by some gamekeepers in Scotland. Like the Flatcoat, they also have this clever air scenting ability and in certain conditions will find game more easily than the Labrador.
However it is the Labrador with its shorter coat and easy temperament that has become the most common shooting companion. These were originally bred by the Duke of Buccleuch from dogs brought over from Newfoundland by French fishermen. The breed was called Labrador because there was already a breed called Newfoundland.

It was perhaps poignant that the last 3 day Retriever Championship was held at Drumlanrig Castle on the Queensbury Estate, seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch, in Dec.2015, as it was here that the first Three Day Retriever Championship was held many years ago. The original Buccleuch Labrador line had died out but the present Duke, very fortunately for us, is a great supporter of our sport and has therefore commissioned David Lisset to breed back as closely as possible to the original line. David now runs several dogs with the Buccleuch affix.

The Bristol & West Working Gundog Club runs three Trials a year: A Qualifying Two Day Open and two Novice Trials. We have also run Novice and Puppy Working Tests as these seem to be where the greatest demand for Tests is. 

For further information about anything relating to retriever breeding, training or competing, please contact our Field Trial Secretary or any member of the Retriever  Committee.