Competitive working trials for gundogs have been held in New Zealand since the early 1900’s.

Originally administered by the NZKC and policed by English Kennel Club rules, both pure- and crossbred gundogs competed on equal footing until the NZKC introduced regulations relating to purebreds and registration in 1936.The first titled working gundog in New Zealand was in 1936; Dual Champion (Field and Show) Pompey, a Labrador from Christchurch owned by Mr C McBeath.

In the early days, gundogs were trialled on game which was shot over them, but because of the growing popularity of the sport and the lack of wild gamebirds, it became necessary to substitute feral pigeons for the “real thing”. Thereafter in field trials, pigeons were shot over the dogs, until the practice was outlawed in 1954, with the passing of the Wildlife Bill.

Nowadays, “simulated” field trials are conducted using blank shots, fired over homing pigeons released from cages to imitate flushing gamebirds, and fired at cold dead game to test retrieving. Natural Game trials re-commenced in 1984 and are held for pointing breeds and spaniels only. In these trials, only wild game is hunted. Gamebirds are shot over dogs within the gazetted hunting season according to license conditions. Trials on “wild” game can be held outside of the hunting season, but blanks are fired over pointing breeds and fur only is shot over spaniels.