After a tally of results for retrieving trials conducted during 2018, the 18th annual Dogs Victoria retrieving trial dog of the year has been decided and Bairnsdale’ s very own Trevor Stow and his four-year-old Labrador, RT Ch Adderslot Georgie Anna (Georgie), were crowned champions.

The retrieving trial dog of the year is based on the cumulative placings gained in all retrieving trials conducted in Victoria during the calendar year.

The higher the level of the stake or championship, the more points a dog can receive for placing.

Georgie’ s results for the year included three wins, one second and four third placings in all age groups.

Gundog retriever trialling started over 100 years ago in Victoria when hunters boasted that they had the best hunting dog.

A series of trials were then set up to see who in fact did have the best dog.

These trials are still conducted today where runs are set by the judges to replicate hunting conditions.

Today no game is harmed and guns are loaded with blanks.

Over the course of the trial day the dogs are tested over three runs where they retrieve up to nine items of ‘game’ and are tested through swimming and are required to retrieve ‘blinds’ , which is game that is placed in a position by the judge but unknown to the dog.

The handler then directs the dog to that location using whistle and hand commands.

They also need to remember where game lands and retrieve multiple items of game, hopefully without help from the handler.

Game is located up to 150 metres from the dog and handler.

Retrieving trials are held in every state of Australia.

Georgie won 2018 Retrieving dog of the year in Victoria based on her trial results for that year. She followed this win up by winning the first retrieving trial of 2019 held in Sale.

PICTURED: Trevor Stow and his dog, RT Ch Adderslot Georgie Anna (Georgie), recently won the annual Dogs Victoria retrieving trial dog of the year award.