Hunt tests are a great way to compete your working
retriever against a certain standard and gain titles.
What's the value behind the titles? For your dog to gain a title
(JH, HR, HRCH, MH, etc) your dog must pass hunt tests. This proves that
your dog can do the work to gain the titles. This can put more value on future
dogs from his/her pedigree. Also, can help your dog keep in shape &
further his training experience. Plus it's a lot of fun to compete your dog &
meet other people that enjoy dogs.
AKC, UKC, MH, JH, HR, HRCH: OK, what in the world does
all this mean??
There are many types of dog registries, but I will only focus on
2. American Kennel Club (AKC) & United Kennel Club (UKC). Each
registry has the same goal in mind, but different rules & regulations.
Below is just a brief overview of what to expect
in a AKC or UKC hunt test. For a complete explanation of the
rules please see the AKC & UKC rule book.
There are 3 levels of hunt tests. They are below.
UKC
AKC
Started (SHR)
Junior (JH)
Seasoned (HR)
Senior (SH)
Finished (HRCH)
Master (MH)
American Kennel Club (AKC) Hunt Test
United Kennel Club (UKC ) Hunt Tests
Junior level hunt test (JH title)
An overview of what you can expect in a Junior level Hunt
test:
Two single marks on water
Two single marks on land
Dogs can be restrained gently with a slip cord or held
gently by the flat buckle collar until sent to retrieve
Dogs must deliver the birds to hand
How to gain the JH Title: A dog must pass 4 AKC Junior
Level Hunt tests.
Started level hunt test (SHR title)
An overview of what you can expect in a Started level Hunt
test:
Four single marks: 2 on land & 2 on water.
The hunting retriever is not required to be steady at
the retrieving line. The hunting retriever may be hand held
at the retrieving line.
The bird must be delivered to the immediate area of the
Handler. It is not necessary to deliver to hand.
How to gain the SHR Title: Five (5) Championship points
per hunt test are awarded for those dogs who pass all Started
Hunting Retriever tests. Four (4) Started passes are required
for the Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) title.
Senior level hunt test (SH title)
An overview of what you can expect in a Senior level hunt
test:
One land blind
One water blind
One double land mark (a double mark is defined as two marks
presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
One double water mark.
One diversion shot or retrieve
A walk-up.
Dogs must be steady on the line
Dogs must retrieve to hand
How to gain a SH title: A dog must pass either 5 AKC Senior
level hunt tests OR pass 4 AKC Senior level hunt test if a dog
already acquired a JH title.
Seasoned level hunt test (HR title)
An overview of what you can expect in a Seasoned level hunt
test:
One land blind (Blinds shall not be run
between marks)
One water blind
One double land mark (a double mark is defined as two marks
presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
One double water mark.
One diversion retrieve
A walk-up.
Dogs must be steady on the line
Dogs must retrieve to hand
How to gain a HR title: Ten (10)
Championship points per hunt test are awarded for those dogs who
pass all Seasoned Hunting Retriever tests. A maximum of forty
(40) Championship points towards a degree can be earned in this
category. Ten (10) points can be rolled over from the started
hunt tests. Either a dog must past 3 seasoned test if they
have 10 points from the started or they have to pass 4 seasoned
test if no started points have been achieved.
Master level hunt test (MH title)
An overview of what you can expect in a Master level hunt
test:
One double blind (land/water or combo)
One or two single blinds (land or water)***
One triple land mark (a triple mark is defined as three marks
presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
One triple water mark. **
One diversion shot and/or retrieve
A walk-up.
A dog shall be required to honor a working dog.
Dogs must be steady on the line
Dogs must retrieve to hand
** In the master level only one set of marks must be a triple,
the other can be a double and a single, a triple, three singles,
just use your imagination. *** The blinds can be a single or
double, this is left up to the judges. How to gain a MH title:
A dog must pass either 6 AKC Master level hunt tests OR pass 5
AKC Master level hunt test if a dog already acquired a SH title.
Finished level hunt test (HRCH title)
An overview of what you can expect in a Finished level hunt
test:
One land blind
One water blind
One triple land mark (a triple mark is defined as three
marks presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
One triple water mark.
One diversion shot and/or retrieve
A walk-up.
A dog shall be required to honor a working dog.
Dogs must be steady on the line
Dogs must retrieve to hand
How to gain a HRCH title: Fifteen (15) Championship points per
UKC Hunt test are awarded for those dogs who pass all Finished
Hunting Retriever tests. The Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH)
title is attained by earning one hundred (100) Championship
Points. Sixty (60) of the one hundred (100) points must be
earned from the Finished category. Points can be earned in
Started, Seasoned or Finished. Therefore if a dog has a HR
title, they are required to pass 4 finished hunt tests.
Is there a difference between a hunt test & a field trial? YES -- the
field trial system is set up much different than a hunt test. The marks
and blinds are much longer and difficult. Also, in hunt test your dog &
you are competing against the test. In a field trial you are competing
against every dog running. I can go more into explaining the Field trials, but
that's another page. Field trial titles are AFC, FC, NAFC, NFC, etc.
Are there other registries that put on hunt test & field trials? YES -- There
are registries all over the world that puts on different types of hunting
trials.
How do I learn about hunt tests? Hunt tests are put on by Retriever clubs, so
locate the closest retriever club near you to learn more about hunt tests or
just contact us. We are here to help.
www.huntingretrieverclub.org