While the dog is wet, the three judges, one senior and two junior judges, check the coat for density and coarseness. Coats can be judged as medium harsh, soft, and open, dense or a range in between. Because the dogs retrieve in the water, as well as on land, coat is important. Eyes and teeth are also checked more thoroughly than in the show ring, to determine if there are any abnormalities. There the dog's hunting and tracking ability is observed and rated.
Fieldwork takes about an hour per dog.
Quail are planted, sometimes in two fields, or one very large field with a natural division, and the dog, handler and bevy of judges start off on foot. This portion lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. The dogs are supposed to systematically search the field, enthusiastically find birds and point them. Tails wag as the eager pup's hunt. Handlers cross their fingers and hope and pray this is the day the pup will point, and hold the point, when birds are located.