Dogs are selected for the National Championships based on their performance on the field trial "circuit" and their ability to meet standards long ago established by Hobart Ames. The dogs have to win two field trials to be eligible. They are judged on their ability to find and point birds and their stamina and handling characteristics. That is my understanding of the process.

Here is where it gets "murky" in my mind. There are also "Amesian Standards" (read Hobart Ames) that come into play. Judges use these standards to judge the field. I am not 100% certain that these "Amesian Standards" would be welcoming to a "short tailed" dog. I could be totally wrong about that as it is just conjecture on my part.

But one thing is certain the winner of the annual Championship can hunt hard and find birds while being obedient to handler commands.

There are others on this site who know more about field trialing and the National Championship than I do.

Before I leave the planet I want to visit the Bird Dog Hall of Fame in TN. The Retriever Wing would be my focus. My best lab was a Candlewood dog, Vanderbilt's Hy Test MH, and that line of dogs has many HOF dogs. I'm sure my eyes would not be dry after a tour. My Tess was a granddaughter of Candlewoods Tank's a Lot the winner of the 1990, 1991 and 1993 NFC, call name Lottie. Gosh I miss her Tess. She would hunt with anyone, one hell of a duck dog.

I went to the bird dog museum some years ago. I got the grand tour and was treated like royalty. The culture of bird dogs is strong.

This is still a big event near me, at Waynesboro, which still makes the claim as The Birddog Capital of the World. It's been going on at Di-Lane Plantation for a looong time.

https://americanfield.com/docs/ads/2...ic-1224126.pdf

Short video clips and photos can be viewed here. Note on day 2 a woodcock was pointed!

https://amesplantation.zenfolio.com/f990713088

I forgot to mention that our tour of the Museum was privately conducted by Wilson Dunn, its founder. We just stopped in unannounced, but he was so welcoming. What a gentleman and very respectful of the fact that we ran “black dogs” (although it was very clear that top notch trial winners must be white and have tails…that stood at twelve o’clock on point. That really hasn’t changed, and I’m at peace with that.)

Anyone remember Dunn’s sporting goods? I still have things purchased from them.

Remember Dunn's very well. They got some of my money too.:banghead:

One of the highlights of my career was when I worked at Dunns. We hosted outdoor writers during the Nationals. i was assigned to play host and ride with Gene Hill and Mike McIntosh. Spending the week with those two was really a special time for me. It is amazing how much you can learn if you just stay quiet and listen.

What a treat! I would love to have met Gene Hill (and the pleasure of meeting and talking with McIntosh once).

Any lasting takeaways from your time with them, John?

One of the many surprising things that came out was that Gene Hill was one of the Rangers who climbed the cliff overlooking Normandy beach during the invasion. He would only talk about it after a couple of scotches. Like most of that generation, he did not think of himself as a hero. Just an 18 year old kid doing his bit to help the country. He was also one hell of a shot.