Gun Dog Forum

Guys-
I have never been involved in an AKC hunt test and now Im thinking about entering in February. My new pup will be 6 months by then and he sure is birdy and doin great. What should I expect? Do they use live birds (pigeons, quail)? How do the trials run? Any info would be great. Also, can you use training equipment with your dog or no? Any info would help. Thanks as always

DC

they use real birds and no you can't use training equipment

for the pup start at the JH this is not a trial there are not placements it is pass or fail each dog is judge for what they show they are scored for the potential they show for being a bird dog so many passes and the dog gets a title

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/events/hunting_ ... ochure.pdf I think this is the right link


When you run that..walk along and see what the SH and MH require as then there will be some training involved specially on the MH level

So I guess bob whites are used for these events? Also, does it roll on like a NSTRA event? In the blind, birds are planted. Dog is turned loose and once the bird is pointed, the handler has to flush the bird? Does the dog have to point the whole time. I know the brochure says no "flash" point, but not much more was elaborated beyond that.

For JH your dog has to establish a point. Then you go in and flush the bird and blank it. If the dog breaks when you are flushing that's fine. After you blank if your dog breaks just call it back and keep going. You are judged on a one to ten scale. It's pretty easy to pass.

I have seen chukar and bob whites. all you need is a reversible collar and a blank pistol for everything in Jr and SH level.

Just don't talk to your dog or hack it and it should do good.

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RHTPNT.pdf

that was the link I was wanted to post before

JUNIOR HUNT
Section 1. Junior Hunting Test. A Junior
hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold
and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, manner
of hunting, and demonstrate not only intelligence in
seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. A
Junior hunting dog must establish point on at least fifty
(50) percent of the pointable birds it encounters. It is
up to the Judge to determine if a bird is pointable given
the specifics of the situation. No additional credit shall
be given for steadiness to wing and shot. If the handler
is within reasonable gun range of a bird which has been
flushed after a point, a blank cartridge must be fired by
the handler. Junior hunting dogs must hold point until
the handler gets within normal gunshot range. This
requirement should be tempered by practical considerations
such as the dog’s distance from the handler when it finds
a bird. Junior hunting dogs must also show reasonable
obedience to their handler’s commands.

SENIOR HUNT
Section 2. Senior Hunting Test. A Senior hunting
dog must show all of the attributes of a Junior hunting
dog. In addition, the Senior hunting dog must be steady
to wing on all pointed birds and must remain in position
until the shot or they are released. A Senior hunting
dog must retrieve. All birds that are pointed by the
Senior dog in a bird field must be shot where safety
allows. If gunning is being done on course, all birds
pointed on course must be shot where safety allows. A
legitimate attempt to retrieve all downed birds must be
made. Conditions such as the type of cover where the bird
landed, the terrain, and the condition of the downed bird,
sometimes make a retrieve impossible, and this should not
reflect negatively on the score of the Senior dog. Whenever
it encounters its bracemate on point, it must honor. A
dog that steals its bracemate’s point cannot receive a
Qualifying score.

MASTER HUNT
Section 3. Master Hunting Test. A Master
hunting dog must give a finished performance and
demonstrate clearly that it deserves to be qualified
as such. This is the complete hunting companion that
any hunter would be proud to own. It must be under
its handler’s control at all times, and handle kindly,
with an absolute minimum of noise and hacking by
the handler. A Master hunting dog must show a keen
desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive manner
of running, and must demonstrate not only intelligence
in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game.
The dog must hunt for its handler at all times at a
range suitable for a handler on foot, and should show or
check in front of its handler frequently. It must cover
adequate ground but never range out-of-sight for a
length of time that would detract from its usefulness
as a practical hunting companion. The dog must locate
game, must point staunchly, and must be steady to wing
and shot on all birds and if it breaks, it cannot receive a
Qualifying score. Intelligent use of the wind and terrain
in locating game, accurate nose, and intensity on point
are essential. Whenever it encounters its bracemate on
point, it must honor. A dog that steals its bracemate’s
point cannot receive a Qualifying score.
A Master hunting dog must positively demonstrate
its steadiness to wing and shot. All birds that are pointed
by the Master dog in a bird field must be shot where
safety allows. If gunning is being done on course, all
birds pointed on course must be shot where safety
allows. Gunning must be done by Official Guns only. A
legitimate attempt to retrieve all downed birds must
be made. Conditions such as the type of cover, where the
birds landed, the terrain, and the condition of the downed
bird, sometimes make a retrieve impossible and this should
not reflect negatively on the score of the Master dog. All
killed birds must be retrieved promptly, tenderly and
absolutely to hand. The handler shall not command or
signal the dog to retrieve until positive steadiness has
been demonstrated.

Then Starting on the bottom of Page 21 of http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RHTPNT.pdf
How the Scoring is done
Section 2. Instructions and Test Requirements
for Junior Hunting Test.
The Judges of a Junior
Hunting Test must score the dogs on the basis of the
following four categories of hunting ability:
(1) HUNTING: A dog is scored from “0” to“10” on
the basis of whether or not it evidences a keen desire to
hunt, boldness and independence, and a fast, yet useful
pattern of running. A dog that lacks independence to
the extent that it seldom leaves its handler’s side, needs
constant direction as to where to hunt or is directed into
a bird(s) has not demonstrated adequate hunting ability
and cannot receive a qualifying score.
(2) BIRD FINDING ABILITY: A dog must find and
point birds in order to receive a Qualifying score. Dogs
are scored from “0” to “10” based upon demonstration
of intelligence in seeking objectives, use of the wind, and
the ability to find birds.
(3) POINTING: A dog is scored from “0” to“10” in
this category on the basis of the intensity of its point,
as well as its ability to locate (pinpoint) birds under
difficult scenting conditions and/or confusing scent
patterns. A “flash” point cannot be graded as pointing,
however, and a dog’s score in this category shall not be
influenced by its steadiness to wing and shot.
(4) TRAINABILITY: A dog is scored from “0” to
“10” in this category on the basis of its willingness to
be handled, its reasonable obedience to commands and
its gun response. If the handler is within reasonable gun
range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a
blank pistol must be fired.
Gun response is included under Trainability in Junior,
Senior and Master for purposes of scoring since some
degree of training is often involved.“Gun-shyness,” a
component of gun response, cannot be tolerated in the
make-up of any dog that is being evaluated as a hunting
companion.
A dog may be restrained (collared) to prevent
interference with the dog on point.

Section 3. Instructions and Test Requirements
for Senior Hunting Test.
A Senior hunting dog must
show all of the attributes expected of a Junior hunting
dog in (1) HUNTING and (2) BIRD FINDING ABILITY,
but must be scored in these two categories with less
tolerance than would be accorded to the Junior hunting
dog.
Senior hunting dogs must also be scored on the basis of
the following four additional categories of ability:
(3) POINTING: A Senior hunting dog must be
steady to wing on all pointed birds and remain until
the shot or until they are released. The handler of a
Senior dog must not fire a blank pistol in live gunning
situations unless directed by a judge. In any situation
requiring the firing of a blank, the Senior dog must have
adequately demonstrated steadiness to wing before the
handler is permitted to fire.
(4) RETRIEVING: A dog is scored from “0” to “10”
based upon the level of Retrieving ability demonstrated
by the Senior hunting dog.
A Senior hunting dog must retrieve, but a dog need
not deliver to hand in order to receive a Qualifying score.
If the handler of the retrieving dog assists that dog by
walking towards the fallen bird, the handler will run the
risk of having the dog’s Retrieving ability scored less
than 5.0.
The Judges shall call back any dog that did not have an
opportunity to retrieve during the running of its brace in
order to score the dog’s Retrieving ability. The call backs
to demonstrate Retrieving ability shall be limited to those
dogs whose scores in the other abilities would otherwise
enable them to receive a Qualifying score.
When a dog is called back to demonstrate its ability
to retrieve in the Senior Test, it must remain steady until
the shot.
Two Official Guns must be used whenever a dog is
called back to demonstrate a retrieve.
(5) TRAINABILITY: As in the Junior Hunting Test, a
Senior hunting dog is scored based upon its willingness
to handle, obedience to commands and gun response,
but the Senior hunting dog must be scored with less
tolerance than a Junior hunting dog.
A Senior hunting dog must stop on a wild flushed bird
and may be commanded to do so without receiving a
failing score. The firing of a blank gun for a stop to flush
is at the option of the handler. The dog must adequately
display its steadiness to wing before the optional shot
can be fired. A Senior dog may be collared away from a
stop to flush.
(6) HONORING: In order to receive a Qualifying
score, a Senior hunting dog must honor; a handler may
give a dog a verbal command to honor. In order to
receive a Qualifying score, a Senior hunting dog must
see or acknowledge that its bracemate is on point before
it has been cautioned to honor. A dog that steals its
bracemate’s point cannot receive a Qualifying score.
After a dog has demonstrated its ability to honor, it
may be restrained (collared) by the handler in order to
prevent interference with the dog on point when the
bird is flushed.
If a dog has had no opportunity to demonstrate
honoring during the running of its brace, it shall be
called back by the Judges so that it can be scored on its
Honoring ability. Callbacks to demonstrate honoring
should be limited to those dogs whose scores in the
other abilities would otherwise enable them to receive
a Qualifying score, but the Judges may call back all dogs
that did not have an opportunity to honor.
In the Senior Test, an honor on the back course fulfills
the honoring requirement.

Section 4. Instructions and Test Requirements
for Master Hunting Test.
A Master hunting dog
must show all of the attributes of a Senior hunting dog
in (1) HUNTING and (2) BIRD FINDING ABILITY
but must exhibit these abilities in the more exceptional
manner expected of a truly finished and seasoned
hunting companion.
Master hunting dogs must also possess all of
the attributes of the Senior dog in (3) POINTING, (4)
RETRIEVING, (5) TRAINABILITY and (6) HONORING.
The Master Hunting Test requirements for these
categories are identical to those of the Senior Test, but
the Judges must score the Master with full expectation
of the following refinements:
(3) POINTING: This category, graded from “0” to
“10,” reflects a dog’s intensity and staunchness. A
Master hunting dog must be steady to wing and shot on
all birds. A dog shall not be commanded to retrieve until
positive steadiness has been demonstrated. A dog that
breaks cannot receive a Qualifying score.
It is permissible for the handler to caution a Master
hunting dog on point. Cautioning, if any, is expected to be
quiet and infrequent. No intimidation or physical restraint
shall be permitted.
(4) RETRIEVING: A dog cannot receive a Qualifying
score if it fails to deliver promptly, tenderly and
absolutely to hand.
If the handler of the retrieving dog assists that dog
by walking towards the fallen bird, the handler will run
the risk of having the dog’s Retrieving ability scored
less than 5.0.
A Master hunting dog must be given the opportunity
to demonstrate Retrieving ability, either during the
time its brace is running, or in a call back situation. The
Judges may call back only those dogs whose scores
in the other abilities would otherwise permit them to
receive a Qualifying score.
When a dog is called back to demonstrate its ability
to retrieve in the Master level, it must demonstrate its
steadiness throughout the flush and shot.
Two Official Guns must be used whenever a dog is
called back to demonstrate a retrieve.
(5) TRAINABILITY: The elements of handling and
gun response are viewed more stringently in a Master
hunting dog.
Both handlers shall carry an empty shotgun or an
“imitation” long-barreled gun at all times during the
running of the brace. In those instances where the use
of live ammunition is not permitted on the back course,
blank pistols must be fired.
A Master hunting dog must stop on a wild flushed
bird without being given a command to do so. A dog
that fails to do so, or a dog requiring a command to stop
cannot receive a qualifying score. A blank shall be fired
on a stop-to-flush bird.
When a game bird is flushed, following a point, the
handler of the pointing dog must shoulder an empty
shotgun or an “imitation” long-barreled gun, and with
both hands on the gun, follow the flight of the bird as if a
shot were to be fired at it.
(6) HONORING: A Master hunting dog must honor,
but shall not be commanded to do so. A dog requiring
restraint, either physical or verbal, while establishing
an honor cannot receive a Qualifying score. A dog that
steals its bracemate’s point cannot receive a Qualifying
score.
A Master dog may be called into the vicinity of the
pointing dog to demonstrate an honor. A Master hunting
dog shall not be commanded to honor.
Once a dog has established an honor, the handler is
permitted to give a quiet verbal caution, but may not
use loud vocal or physical restraint. Cautioning, if any,
is expected to be quiet and infrequent. No intimidation or
phycical restraint shall be permitted.
A Master dog must honor throughout the entire flush,
shot and retrieve. However, an honoring dog may be
heeled off and sent on if the retrieving dog takes overly
long, or does not make the retrieve. In such instances,
this shall be considered a completed honor and a dog
shall not be required to demonstrate an additional honor
unless it again encounters its bracemate on point (it must
honor on each occasion and cannot receive a Qualifying
score if it fails to do so).
A Master hunting dog must be given an opportunity
to honor, either during the time its brace is running, or
in a callback situation. The Judges may call back only
those dogs whose scores in the other abilities would
otherwise permit them to receive a Qualifying score.
When a dog is called back to honor in the Master Test, it
must remain steady throughout the shot and retrieve.
If a bird is shot at and missed and the pointing dog
breaks, the mannerly honoring dog shall be considered
to have met the honoring requirements. In the Master
Test, backcourse honors and honors where only a blank
cartridge is fired shall not be considered as having met
the honoring requirement, but should be considered in the
trainability score, except as previously stated.

DC--
When you get to the break away line, tell the judges this is your 1st time running in a test and most judges will talk you thru it as you go. Get your dog used to the judges horses before you run(a lot of younger pups will spend a lot of their running time checking out the judges horses---your hunting score will suffer if the pup spends too much time checking out the horses). Also get your pup used to hunting with another pup(your hunting scores will decrease if too much time is spent playing with a bracemate and not hunting). You will be braced with another handler and dog, so your pup needs to used to different breeds of dogs and handlers(some who will be pretty verbal). Help your pup out in the bird field--have a head wind or cross wind, try to avoid going down wind.
Carry water in case there isn't any on course, wear a hunter orange hat or vest, carry a blank pistol and a lead(to get your dog to the line and out of the bird field). You can put a bell on the dog if the back course cover is tall(no beeper collars). You can also use a whistle if your pup responds to one(don't over blow it).
The main thing is have fun with your pup. There are a lot of good people at hunting test, they will try to help you out(They are testing with you and not against you.) Ask a lot of questions and do a lot of watching.
Good luck with your pup.