FIELD TRIALS AND JUDGING. By Charles Alington. Commentary by Susan Scales.

(1929) 2000 new edition. 8vo (153 x 227mm). Ppxi,136. B/w photographs. Pictorial laminated boards, issued without a dust-wrapper.

Susan Scales provides up-to-date comments and a commentary on this 1929 classic on spaniel and retriever field trials. This book presents Charles Alington's original text, with paragraph-by-paragraph commentary from Susan Scales inserted in a lighter type-face beneath the paragraph under discussion. "Charles Alington's book is a mine of analytical information which has never been surpassed, before or since, and the greatest mystery is that the book was ever allowed to go out of print. Many of Alington's observations are applicable today regarding basic dog work, but the field trial world has altered beyond recognition and base commercialism is king." Susan Scales. "Susan Scales has most ably brought the book up to date with her own trenchant comments and her introduction is bold, provocative and completely accurate regarding field trials today. Susan had vast experience in the Labrador sphere and never afraid of controversy. She was a panel 'A' Field Trial judge of retrievers and also judged up to championship level." Chapters include: How field trials are conducted; Equity in judging; Hard mouths; retrieving and delivery; some tests; Control and natural ability; Nose and scent; Runners; Pace, style, and drive; Handling water and other tests; Spaniel trials; What field trials have done.