Working Gundog Titles in New Zealand
Working Gundog Titles in New Zealand
Natural Game TrialsField trial titles can be awarded only to purebred, registered gundogs.
A challenge point is awarded to the winner of a Championship trial if the performance is of sufficient merit.
Championship Winners of Spaniel Natural Game National Championships and Island Championships only win one challenge point.
A National Championship winner earns the prefix (NTL).
The Prefix FW (Field Winner) is awarded to any dog that has won a challenge point in a Championship Spaniel Natural Game Trial.
The prefix Field Champion (FCh) is awarded to any dog that has won at least two challenges in Spaniel Natural Game trials (under more than three judges).
To gain the title of FCh a spaniel must complete a water test within 12 months of getting its second win.
A Grand Field Champion (GFCh) is awarded to any dog that has won 8 challenge points.
The first North Island Championship for Spaniel Natural Game was held in 2023.
The first South Island Championship for Spaniel Natural Game was held in 2025.
The first National Championship for Spaniel Natural Game was held in 2025.
Simulated Game Trials
The Prefix FTW (Field Trial Winner) is awarded to any dog that has won a challenge point in a Championship Simulated Game Trial.
A Field Trial Champion (FTCh) is awarded to any dog that has won six field trial challenges in a Championship Simulated Game Trial.
A Grand FTCh (GFTCh) is awarded to any dog that has won 20 challenge points in a Championship Simulated Game Trial.
Winners of Simulated Game National Championships and Island Championships get two challenge points for an Island Championship win, three challenge points for a National Championship win, and one challenge point for a second place at a National Championship.
A Qualifying Certificate (QC) may be awarded to a dog that has proved it will hunt, find, and handle game as is expected of its breed and is not gunshy.
Additional information on the regulations for the holding of Spaniel Natural game trials may be found on the NZ Gundog Trials website