---
title: Field Trial (Retriever Term) | Royal Gun Dogs
url: https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/field-trial/
business: Royal Gun Dogs
trainer: Richard Gebhart (professional gun dog trainer since 2002)
phone: (530) 341-4496
email: royalgundogs@yahoo.com
trains_at: Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, Rio Vista, CA 94571 (Solano County)
booking: call or text Richard directly
---

- [Home](https://royalgundogs.com/)
- [Glossary](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/)
- Field trial

# Field trial

In a field trial, dogs compete against each other and judges place the best. A hunt test is different, since each dog is scored against a standard and not against the others.

Field trials and hunt tests are both retriever sports, but they ask different things of the dog and the owner. People mix up the names, so it helps to separate them.

## Field trial versus hunt test

The AKC says a hunt test scores dogs individually and does not name a winner as a field trial does. Hunt tests were created for hunters with good retrievers who lacked the resources or time to be competitive in field trials.

Field trial dogs are typically run at a very high level of handling and marking precision, often by experienced amateurs or professionals.

## Richard's background

Under Billy Sargenti, Richard worked with field trial retrievers at varying levels and learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics. He also works with hunt test dogs and everyday hunting dogs, so owners can ask him about either path.

## What it means for you

A hunter can choose hunt tests, field trials or no events at all. See [hunt test](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/hunt-test/) for that route and the [AKC vs HRC](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/akc-vs-hrc/) comparison to help you choose a club and level.

### Sources (3)

- American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/](https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/) (checked October 27, 2026)
- American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/history/](https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/history/) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/](https://hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026)

### Your trainer

Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National.

[Meet Richard](https://royalgundogs.com/richard-gebhart/)

### Related

- [Hunt test](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/hunt-test/)
- [Retriever hunt tests](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/)
- [Richard Gebhart, trainer](https://royalgundogs.com/richard-gebhart/)
- [Advanced Waterfowl Program](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/advanced-waterfowl/)

## Questions owners ask

[All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/)

### Do I need a field trial dog to hunt?

No. Most hunting retrievers never enter a trial.