AKC Retriever Field Trials have been losing judges in recent years, and even more so this past year due to mandated training. The obvious solution to this is to allow Professional Trainers, as defined by the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Retrievers, to judge along side amateurs. This will immediately increase the number of judges available as well as greatly increase the dog knowledge in the judging pool. Pro's set up tests daily for more dogs than most amateurs will own in a lifetime, that alone gives them experience in where to place birds and how dogs act and react that cannot be taught. 

Please sign this petition to submit to the Rules Advisory Committee and the Performance Department of the AKC.