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FIELD TRIALS
Field trials for coonhounds were the first of the organized contests that coon hunters developed for their dogs. A field trial consists of an artificial scent trail laid by pulling a “drag” along the ground for the hounds to follow to a “home tree.” The first dog to run the trail and cross the “finish line” is declared the “line winner.” The first dog to go inside the circle drawn around the home tree and bark up the tree is declared the “tree winner.”
In order to train your dog for Field Trials you should purchase “coon training scent” from one of the dog supply companies. You will also need to purchase a commercially-made “drag” on which to place the training scent. Next you will need a safe area outdoors where you can lay your scent trail. Your “scent trail” will need to end at a tree in which you will place a caged coon or a “lure” for the dog to tree.
Dogs are drawn into “heats” at AKC Field Trials. There are Preliminary Heats and Final Heats. AKC awards Field Trial Champion titles to dogs that have earned a total of 200 Championship points. Points are awarded as follows: First line in a Preliminary heat – 10 points, First tree in a Preliminary heat – 10 points, First line in a Final heat – 20 points, First tree in a Final heat – 30 points.
When you go to a Field Trial with your dog, you will pay your entry fee and your dog will be drawn into a Preliminary heat consisting of no more than six dogs. You and your dog will be directed to the starting line where you will release your dogs with the other dogs in your heat. Your dog will be required to follow the scent trail and to pass between two stakes that mark the finish line. When your dog passes through the finish line stakes it will be expected to enter the circle drawn around the home tree and to bark up the tree.
Field Trial Terms
Drag – A scented article that is dragged along the ground to produce the scent trail for the dogs in a Field Trial to follow.
Heats – Heats are groups of no more than six dogs that compete in the Field Trial in order to advance to the Final. Your dog’s entry will be placed in a drawing to determine which heat in which it will participate.
Preliminary Heats – A Preliminary Heat is the first heat your dog participates in at the Field Trial.
Final Heats – A Final heat is the last heat of the Field Trial consisting of the dogs that won either First Line or First Tree in their Preliminary heats. If your dog wins its Preliminary heat, it advances to the Final heat. Championship points are awarded for winning Preliminary and Final heats.
Finish Line – The finish line consists of two stakes between which the dogs must pass in order to be awarded Line points. The dog must be the first dog to pass between the stakes in order to earn First Line.
Home Tree – The Home Tree is the tree at the end of the scent trail in a Field Trial where the caged raccoon or lure is placed. A circle is drawn on the ground around the home tree and the dogs must be inside the circle when they bark “treed” in order to earn First Tree.
Scent Trail – The artificial trail produced when the “drag” containing “training scent” is pulled across the course. The scent trail passes through the finish line stakes and ends at the Home Tree.
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