Junior Field Trial Stake
The Junior Stake is for dogs 6 months of age and not exceeding 2 years of age on the day
of the trial at which they are being run.
A “reasonable” degree of steadiness and general obedience are the requirements in the Junior
stake. Marking ability and style constitute the most important factors for placings in the Junior.
Blind retrieves are not required in the Junior stake.
Usually retrieves are limited to single marks and double marks. The most common Junior test
would be a double with the guns remaining visible. Only on rare occasions judges have required
retrieves of marks from which gunners retired (hide) after the bird has been shot. Also on rare
occasions judges have required the retrieving of triple marks. There are usually four series, or
tests, with two series being run on land and two series on water.
In order to receive the CKC Title of "Junior Field Trial Retriever" (JFTR), a dog must have placed in
3 CKC approved Junior stakes and acquired 5 points.
* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules & Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.
Qualifying Field Trial Stake
The Qualifying Stake is for dogs at least 6 months of age that have never won 1st , 2nd , 3rd , 4th
or a Certificate of Merit in an Open, Limited or Special All-Age Stake, nor a 1st , 2nd , 3rd , 4th in
an Amateur All-Age Stake nor have won 5 1 st s in Qualifying Stakes.
The most common marking tests in a Qualifying Stake are triple retrieves with all guns visible,
even though retired gunners (who hide after the bird is shot) are often used. Blind retrieves are
also required in the Qualifying Stake, although abilities acquired through training are of less
importance in the Qualifying Stake than in those carrying championship points.
The status recognized as “Qualifying All-Age” allows a dog to be eligible to run a “Limited All-Age
Stake”, which, at some field trials with large entries, is an “Open All-Age Stake” that ‘limits’ the
entry to “Qualified All-Age” dogs. A dog placing first or second in a Qualifying Stake is recognized
as “Qualified All-Age”. ( A dog may also become “Qualified All-Age” by receiving a Judges Award
of Merit or better in a major stake.)
In order to receive the CKC Title "Qualified Field Trial Retriever" (QFTR), a dog must have
acquired 10 points in Qualifying stakes with 5 starters and have placed first at least once or have
placed in an All Age stake or have obtained a Certificate of Merit in an Open, Limited or Special All
Age stake.
* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules; Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.
Amateur All-Age Field Trial Stake
The Amateur All-Age stake is for dogs at least 6 months of age that are handled by a person
who is an Amateur as determined by the Field Trial Committee.
Championship points earned toward the Amateur Field Championship are awarded in the Amateur
All-Age Stake and the performance requirements are basically the same as in the Open All-Age
Stake. The main difference between the two stakes is that only amateur handlers are allowed to
handle dogs in the Amateur All-Age Stake, whereas professionals and amateurs may handle dogs
in the Open All-Age Stake.
Trial-giving clubs have the option of holding an Amateur All-Age or an Owner-Handler Amateur All-
Age. In a regular Amateur All-Age Stake, the dog may be handled by any amateur handler. In an
Owner-Handler Amateur All-Age Stake, the dog may be handled only by the registered owner (and
certain relatives), and only if the owner (or relative) is an amateur.
In order to receive the CKC Title "Amateur Field Trial Champion” (AFTCH) a dog must win the
National Amateur Retriever Championship stake or acquire 10 points in All Age stakes with 8
qualified starters and have placed first at least once in an All Age stake.
* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules; Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.
Open All-Age Field Trial Stake
The Open All-Age Stake is for dogs at least 6 months of age. Championship points are awarded in the Open All-Age Stake, which is open to all retrievers eligible for a CKC licensed retriever field trial. Tests consist of demanding marks and blinds and only accomplished retrievers of extraordinary natural and trained abilities usually excel in the Open All-Age Stake.
Tests commonly consist of triple or quadruple marks, with and without retired guns (hidden after the bird is shot), and single, double or triple blind retrieves. Dogs must be steady and under control at all times. The Open All-Age Stakes commonly begin with a marking test on land followed by a land test with at least one blind retrieve. Dogs “called back” after the land tests are usually required to successfully perform a blind retrieve on the water which would be followed by a marking test on the water.
In order to receive the CKC Title "Field Trial Champion” (FTCH) a dog must win the National Retriever Championship stake or acquire 10 points in Open, Limited or Special All Age stakes with 8 qualified starters and have placed first in at least one of these stakes.
* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules; Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.