Grade Four seeks to establish that the dog’s obedience and retrieving skills have now come together to form the beginnings of a strong working relationship between dog and handler. The assessor will be looking for smooth and proficient retrieves, and a high standard of delivery and general behaviour, bearing in mind the young dog’s relative inexperience. Remember, it isn’t a competition. The dog will pass if he meets the standard. Details are set out below.
Is my dog ready?
To pass the Grade Four field test your dog will be able to retrieve from across water and from heavy cover.
He will be required to retrieve marks at distances of up to 100 yards including a double mark. Blind retrieves are increased in length to 60 yards. Steadiness and delivery to hand are essential. The grade four dog must watch quietly whilst another dog retrieves and will be accustomed to shot.
The dog must remain off lead and under control throughout the test, and should remain at heel when not retrieving. If you think your dog is ready read the requirement details below and click here to enter the test
Grade Four Proficient Retriever – marked retrieves
LONG MARK: A test of the dog’s ability to mark at distance. A single mark on land at 80-100 yards. Dummy to fall in light cover.
MARK ACROSS WATER: A test of the dog’s ability to enter water, then re-enter and swim while carrying a retrieve. A single short mark to fall a maximum of 40 yards distant from the dog, on the other side of a small area of water. The dog must swim and retrieve from the far shore. The mark to be 5-10 yards from the water’s edge, and the dog to be sent from at least 5 yards from the water’s edge on the opposite bank. The swim need not be more than a few metres, but the dog must swim.
DOUBLE MARK: Two marks to be thrown. One a short mark (40 yards) into heavy cover, the other a longer mark (70 yards) into lighter cover. minimum of 90 degrees between the two. Dog to be sent for each mark in turn, after both have been thrown. Once both marks have been thrown, the assessor will direct the handler to send the dog to the mark chosen by the assessor. On the dog’s return, the handler will then send them for the second mark.
The dog will be scored for steadiness at heel, speed/enthusiasm, accurate marking, effective/persistent hunting, holding the area of fall, and retrieving style/delivery.
Each mark is worth 20 points.
Grade Four Proficient Retriever – blind retrieves
LONG BLIND: A single dummy at 60 yards.
SHORT BLIND WITH DISTRACTION: Dog to be sent for a single dummy at around 30 yards distant. A second distraction mark to the thrown at a minimum of 90 degrees. Only the blind is to be picked, not the distraction.
HUNT AN AREA: Three dummies to be dropped in advance in deep cover at 20 yards. Dog to find two of them. Maximum time allowed, 5 minutes. Area to be marked for the handler’s benefit by a flag or pole.
Blinds are listed in the recommended order of running, however, the final decision is at the assessors’ discretion. The dog to be sent from the handler’s side for each blind.
Each blind is worth 20 points.
Think you can do it? Need some help?
This is a summary of the Grade Four requirements. For full details, rules and regulations, please contact the Gundog Club for a copy of the Grade Four Retriever handbook.
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