Field Notes: Roxy’s First FD Leg

Roxy earned her first qualifying leg toward her CKC Field Dog (FD) title on October 3 at the Calgary Pointing Dog Club’s test near Cochrane.

She brought enthusiasm and confidence to her search, hunting hard and ranging across the grounds. The judge appreciated her range, and her delivery to hand was a highlight of the run.

Following her nose

Vizslas are versatile hunting dogs, bred to search for game, point, and retrieve. When searching, they use scent carried on the wind and work through suitable cover to locate birds. A point signals that the dog has located game; holding that point allows the hunter to approach before the bird flushes.

Ranging out is part of that search. The partnership depends on a dog having the confidence to work away from the handler while remaining responsive and connected. Watching Roxy cover the ground with purpose is one of my favourite parts of being out with her.

There was learning happening at my end, too. I called her off birds when I should have trusted her and allowed her to work. Developing our partnership means learning when to guide her—and when to let her nose lead.

A gentle retrieve

We returned on October 4 for a second run. Roxy didn’t qualify after creeping forward on point, but there was much to appreciate. She searched strongly, ranged wide, and retrieved the bird to hand after the flush, earning a lovely compliment from the judge about her soft mouth.

“Soft mouth” describes a dog’s ability to hold and carry game gently, without crushing or damaging it. It’s an important quality in a retrieving dog: the goal is to bring the bird back intact and deliver it to the handler. Roxy’s gentle hold and delivery to hand were especially pleasing to see.

These two days gave us valuable experience and a clear sense of what to practise next. She has a lovely point and a real desire to hunt. Watching her work—and sharing those days in the field—is a joy.

She also came home very ready for dinner. Field work is hungry work.

Thank you to the Calgary Pointing Dog Club for organizing the weekend, to the judges for their time and thoughtful feedback, to the volunteers for all the work that goes into running these tests, and to the landowner for generously making the grounds available. We’re grateful for the community that gives us these opportunities to learn and work our dogs.

Purpose. Poise. Performance.