In addition to training a dog to seek out a certain type of cover, a dog also has to learn to pattern well in that cover and work at the proper range, and these are things that training has at least something to do with. Stakes with horses also require prior exposure to horses, and stakes where birds or shot require a dog to be exposed to those experiences to behave properly in the trial. Everything that's different a dog needs to be exposed to and trained to handle properly to be able to win against competition - birds, rules, cover, etc. It is very hard for a dog to win a stake in which it does not have specialized training for that type of stake. For example, it is extremely rare for even the best field trial champions to be able to even qualify in AKC Senior Hunt Tests, which is just the mid-level hunt test where about half of all dogs entered qualify. I know, I used to judge them. Similarly, a professionally trained and handled dog with a Master Hunt Test title (only a few percent of hunt test dogs get this title) will very rarely even rank in the top half of all dogs entered in even the most rudimentary field trial, such as an amateur AKC shooting dog field trial.

Another aspect of your question that I thought of, is "are all dogs trained the same", meaning the process of getting a dog steady. A LOT of pros have a set program and if the dog doesn't fit it, it's a washout. Some pros who have been at it for a while demonstrate a remarkable lack of creativity.

The program needs to fit the dog not the other way around.

Maurice

The answer is no. There are common threads to training pointing dogs no matter what the breed or game you play. But there are distinct differences depending on what type of dog you want.

Now, that leads me to a further question, which speaks to another post you had a little while back, when I asked you how one of the pointers you breed would do in tight Ruffed Grouse cover at moderate range (say 100-200 yards, its always bell range for me), since I have them pegged as more of a horse back shooting dog type.

Question: If a dog can be trained to hunt at any range and apply itself to any cover, how does one go about training an all-age style dog to hunt at moderate to close range in heavy cover? I always think the run of a dog has a lot to do with the dog's breeding, but a lot of folks tell me that it all has to do with the training and I would just like to know, how a person would train a huge running dog, to hunt close. And I think the notion of the dog that runs to the limits, All-Age style, naturally shortening up it's range based on cover, is a nice one, but I have to say it sure seems like a rarity to me. Ideally every dog bred would be like this, but very, very, few are, IMO.