Gundog breeds are divided into three groups for field trials:

(1) Pointers and Setters,
(2) Retrievers and
(3) Spaniels.

Specialist trials (on “simulated” game) are held for all three groups.

Pointers & Setters (including all Continental HPR breeds) compete in a land trial only, which involves hunting for, finding and pointing live game, and retrieving a dead bird.

Retrievers compete in an event to test their marking, finding and retrieving of dead game on land and across water.

Spaniels are tested in a land trial where they must find and flush live game and retrieve dead game, and they are also expected to retrieve across water.

In addition, an All Breeds trial, consisting of a land (hunting) and water (retrieving) section, is open to any gundog breed (but is somewhat of a misnomer today because it is rarely, if ever, competed in by the pointing breeds).

The Pointer & Setter Natural Game trials are run as braced hunting events and dogs are expected to prove their abilities, as detailed for simulated trials, on wild gamebirds. Ditto for Spaniels in their Natural game trials.