What is a blind retrieve?
It's a retrieve the dog didn't see fall. The handler sends it out in a direction and corrects it on the way with whistle and arm signals until it reaches the object.
Hunting dogs
Retrieving Trials
These are the retriever trials. The dog remembers where the game fell and brings it back intact. When it saw nothing, the handler sends it to the spot by whistle and hand signal, from tens of metres away.
About the discipline
What Retrieving Trials are
Retrieving trials test exactly what a retriever does on a shoot. It marks where the game fell, waits to be sent and brings it back intact, through water, brambles or stubble.
Two exercises carry the whole thing. On a mark, the dog saw the fall and remembers the spot. On a blind retrieve it saw nothing, so the handler guides it with whistle and arm signals.
How the dog holds game in its mouth is judged hard. A crushed or chewed retrieve, the sign of what's called a hard mouth, sends the score right down.
How it works in practice
What a trial contains
- single and multiple marks that the dog remembers
- waiting calmly until it's sent
- blind retrieves, handled by whistle and signal
- work on land and in water
- getting through dense cover
- a clean delivery to hand
- steadiness to shot
Which dogs it suits
- retrievers: labrador, golden, flat-coated, chesapeake
- dogs that carry game cleanly
- handlers who work on distance handling
What you need
- dummies in a range of weights
- a handling whistle
- access to ground with water and cover
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Retrieving Trials
What does soft mouth mean?
It's the ability to carry game without crushing it. In retrievers it has been bred for deliberately, and it counts for a lot in the scoring.
Can it be done without hunting?
Yes. Working tests use artificial dummies, no game, and run the same technical exercises.
How is distance handling taught?
In stages. Start with short retrieves the dog has watched fall and remembers, move on to hidden retrieves it already knows about, and only then try direction changes over short distances. The whistle means stop and look at the handler. The arm gives the direction. Keep to that order, or the dog never works out the system.
The rule figures on this page come from FCI - International Regulations for Field Trials for Retrievers. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Pointing Trials
Trials where the dog searches for game and indicates it with a firm point.
Spaniel Trials
Trials where the spaniel pushes game out of thick cover and then retrieves on command.
Earthdog
Trials in artificial tunnels for terriers and dachshunds, with the quarry safe behind a grille.
Working Tests for Retrievers
Retriever trials that use dummies in place of live game.
We do not run Retrieving Trials
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.