The American Field

Before DNA

September 10, 2021 | The American Field | Comments

Among the best things the American Field Publishing Company did for field trailers was to institute the DNA testing requirement. Why? Before DNA testing many ways to cheat on representing the parentage of bird dogs existed and were frequently used by the unscrupulous. Here is one example. Read more

Reflections on The American Field

September 6, 2021 | Remembrances, The American Field | Comments

I was an avid reader (or scanner) of the Field for all its print-format years from about 1965 onward. I published a piece in its Holiday (Christmas) issue every year from 1973 onward. After I started reporting trials in 1995 I published several reports each year, including of the Florida Championship every year, the Invitational at Paducah ten years, the Continental and Free-For-All several years, and the Lee County (a personal favorite) many years, all filled with fun for me. Read more

The American Field (1874-2021)

September 5, 2021 | Other Things, The American Field | Comments

The American Field Publishing Company is no more, as an independent entity. On September 1 it and its Field Dog Stud Book were acquired by the United Kennel Club, an international for-profit registry for Coon Hounds, Beagles and other working (or sporting) breeds, including curs and feists. It could have been worse. Its website announcement says it intends to continue and honor the Field’s pointing dog trial traditions. Let us hope it can and will do so. Read more