RETRIEVER AWARDS

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Grade One

Grade Two

Grade Three

Grade Four

Grade Five

Grade Six

Retriever awards are suitable for all gundogs who are being trained for retriever style gundog fieldwork. This award is also suitable for pet gundogs whose owners would like to teach them to retrieve canvas dummies.  No pedigree is required.  One field test pass at Grade Three is required for the dog to receive the award of Intermediate Retriever.

This grade seeks to establish that the retriever is able to mark and retrieve with confidence on land and in water, and is developing his memory. The dog is required to  enter and hunt effectively in moderate cover, and to co-operate at all times with his handler.  This Grade also tests that the basics of directional control have been established, with some simple blind retrieves. Check below to find out just what is required.

THREE CATEGORIES

Retriever

Hunting Retriever

HPR

NEW AT GRADE 3

REMOTE STOP

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TURN WHISTLE

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QUARTERING

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CROSSING OBSTACLES

Six Grades

Three Categories

More Information

How to Enter

Section One  - Heelwork:: The dog must be in acceptable heel position at all times during the test, close to and alongside the handler and despite minor distractions.   ‘About turns’ and changes in direction will be required.  The handler will be required to ‘heel’ the dog past an assistant, to remain at heel whilst the assistant rolls a ball or dummy across the path of the dog and handler ( 10 to 15 yards from the dog),  and past dummies lying on the ground    The assessor may incorporate heelwork into the other aspects of the tests as he sees fit, he or she will record the dog correctly completing neat left and right turns, and at least two 180 degree about turns without losing the correct heel position at any time. 

Section Two  - Sit and Stay: 

The ‘stay’ will be four minutes in duration.  During this four minutes that dog will be tested  as follows:

• Steadiness to fall  -   an assistant will throw two dummies within 10 yards of the seated dog.  The handler to be at least 20 yards from the dog at this time.
• Handler out of sight  -  The handler must be out of sight for at least 10 seconds during the course of the stay

• Handler distance  -  the handler must walk 50 yards from the dog at some point during the stay,  the dog should be able to see the handler clearly during this exercise

The order in which these distractions are presented is at the discretion of the assessor.

Section Three  - The stop: The dog must stop quickly to whistle whilst hunting the area of fall as follows: An assistant will throw a mark at 25 yards from and in clear view of the ‘dog at heel’.   The handler will turn the dog and walk away whilst the assistant removes the dummy.   The assessor will ask the handler to send the dog to the  area of fall,  and to stop him there by whistle.

Section Four  - Recall:  There are two recalls.

• After the stay ( 50 yards )

• After the stop ( 25 yards)

 The dog should return directly to the handler when recalled and on arrival return to  the heel position without delay.   

Each obedience section is worth 20 marks  -  total 80

TRAINING SCHEME  

Courses

Field Tests

Graded Training

Instructors

Key Skills

Section One  - Marking, memory, nose & persistence

Marked retrieves:

• Two singles mark on land at 70 – 80 yards.  To land in cover* concealed from view as defined above, and run along a guideline such as a hedge/fence or path.

• A straightforward water mark at up to 50 yards, the dog to retrieve from the surface of the water.

The dog will be scored for accurate marking & lining, effective persistent hunting, holding the area of fall, style/speed, and delivery.  

Section Two  -  Directional Control

Blind retrieves:  Handling will be tested with two simple short blinds as follows

• Back  30 yards  -  single retrieve

• Either a Left  or a  right  20 yards  - single retrieve

Handler to give directions from a distance of ten yards from the dog. Blinds will be set up using visual guidelines such as  a fence or barrier.

 Each of the five retrieves is worth 20 marks  -  total 100T

 ENTER GRADE THREE

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