More about Working Gundogs

The SSAA’s gundog discipline was established to promote the use of trained gundogs in the field. Responsible hunters ensure that game is quickly dispatched and retrieved, and the gundog has been fulfilling this role for centuries.
However, all gundogs require training, and the Working Gundog Association of Australia (WGAA) is committed to providing gundog owners with training opportunities.
In order to provide a yardstick whereby a gundog’s skills are measured, field and retrieving trials are conducted by WGAA in order to provide owners with a guide as to the abilities of their own dogs, and an indication of the ability of various blood lines. The SSAA provides a system of titles recognizing excellence in the traditional gundog tasks, and these awards are keenly sought after by handlers. All dogs competing in WGAA activities are registered on the WGAA data base.

Currently WGAA conducts activities the 4 major gundog disciplines:
• spaniels;
• pointers & setters;
• retrievers; and
• the hunt, point & retrieve breeds.

WGAA Aims
• To promote and encourage the working heritage of all breeds of gundogs.
• To promote hunting with trained gundogs in the field.
• To promote the use of gundogs in a proper game management context with particular emphasis on the utilisation of gundogs in the conservation of game.
• To promote and encourage ethical and sportsmanlike behaviour in all matters pertaining to the ownership, breeding, trailing, judging, training and use of gundogs.
• To establish and maintain a register of purebred working gundogs.
• To make awards and issue certificates which recognise excellence in the field.
• To conduct events such as trials, training activities and seminars which will facilitate and enhance all of the above.
• To promote the ethical hunting of game.
• To assist in the retention of members’ shooting rights.
• To provide competitive and training opportunities for other associate gundogs with a view to encouraging the owners of associate gundogs to become owners of purebred working gundogs.