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Well after a few days to absorb and think about my time in St. Ulrich, Tyrol in Austria, I feel now is the right time to reflect on my trip.

Six Competitions and a Day’s Training awaited myself and my fellow judges:  Pieter Vivijs,  Fons Exelmans,  and  Stefano Martinoli  --- Friday to Monday, 19th to 22nd August 2016.

In this Blog Article, you will find the ALTIQUIN Labradors in Training Playlist from our Youtube Channel. Started in mid-2016, this is a growing library of videos showing ALTIQUIN Labradors being trained by Paul David Toal.  My hope is for people to see these videos as a valuable source of information as they train their own retrievers.  I encourage people to let me know if there is a specific training issue they would like me to address.

How do I travel with or ship my Canine Companion: Which airlines will transport my dog? What are the links?

Transporting animals internationally by aircraft is a serious business, with more & more airlines making arrangements to take dogs on board, or in their Cargo Hold. Handling Animal Cargo is an art form best left to those experienced in seamless transitions.

I have been asked: "What has been your experience as to the AGE when dogs you've had from MEG's bloodline begin to be physically challenged as working retrievers?"

and,  "Does MEG's eye condition affect her vision or appearance at this time & would one expect it to worsen in any way with age?"

A gentleman asked me whether I had trialled Osprey (pictured left), a one-and-a-half-year-old male (born 24-april-2014).The Field Trials in Ireland and the UK are all about ELIMINATION. If you do something wrong, then you are going home. I have had trials with really experienced dogs, and gone home without getting a retrieve --- IF the dog failed his first retrieve.

So as far as I am concerned I would not compete with a dog unless

The weekend with you Paul  [in BERLIN, Germany]  was fantastic, really great + ALL of us very much appreciate the work you have put into it.  I thought about what I take away from the Training after my little nap & it is so much that I am sure I will be going through various moments watching the dogs at work & your explanations again & again for days to come.

Dear Paul and Richard, I hope this mail finds you well + enjoying your family and dogs! I do apologize for being so late, and please find attached the PDF version of the Article written on the Field Trial of Cressa in ITALY from November 2013. A printed copy will be sent to you next week.  With kindest regards, Alessandra Lupo Franchi, writing to you on behalf of the Gruppo Cinofilo Novarese, a field trial society belonging to the Italian Kennel Club.

2013 Irish Retriever Championship

Go to Magazine Page 32-40  for a colorful and informative Online Article on the 2013 Irish Retriever Championship presented by the Magazine:  Irish Country Sports and Country Life - Spring 2014

The retriever trialling season that was, is now just a Memory.

And so it is right for us to look back and honour those handlers and their dogs that achieved the accolade of Field Trial Champion (FTCh). The title FTCh is one that every handler who trials, strives for. It is not easily achieved. In fact, I would hate to put into ‘man-hours’ the time it takes in training to raise up a Champion. For those who do, one has to recognise the dedication they have to their sport.

Retriever Trials and Hunting in FINLAND

What is a good Retriever for us in Finland? Game finding ability is most important. The Dog must be able to hunt by swimming. Most of us respect initiative + independence in marking and hunting. Ability to handle the dog close to the retrieve makes working effective. In training we believe that the hunting instincts must be given a proper chance to develop. Obedience means that the dog is willing to work in cooperation with the handler. The use of electric collar is forbidden in all dog training. We don’t like forced retrieve methods because we suspect negative impacts on breeding if this spreads. We like to see a spontaneous retrieve developed because in this manner the dog has the best chance to use its own initiative in situations where the handler cannot help.