Hunting Retriever (HR) awards are suitable for all gundogs who are being trained for spaniel style gundog work. No pedigree is required. The emphasis at this grade is on Field Skills and particularly on establishing a good hunting pattern. One field test pass is required for the dog to receive the award of Intermediate Hunting Retriever.
The Grade Three test is in two parts
- OBEDIENCE
- FIELD SKILLS (combined hunting and retrieving)
Details of each section are set out below.
Is my dog ready?
To pass the Grade Three Field Test your dog will be able to hunt a basic pattern, turn to whistle, be steady to fall, carry out three marked retrieves and be obediently under control throughout the test. Check below to find out just what is required.
Grade Three Intermediate HR – Obedience requirements
MARKS ALLOCATED FOR OBEDIENCE – 20
Heelwork is carried out off the lead in two parts with the ‘stay’ in between
- HEEL 1: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel without a lead from the line to the 20-yard sit marker. Spaniel heelwork is not expected to be precise. But the dog must be clearly under control and not forging ahead of the the handler. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler, or poor control of the dog. Maximum points for the first heel – 3.
- SIT & STAY: The handler is required to sit the dog at the 20-yard marker with a single sit command and to return to the line without the dog. The dog must remain seated for two minutes. Points will be lost if the dog stands up, or creeps. No further commands may be given. Maximum points for the stay – 10.
- HEEL 2: The handler will return to the dog and heel the dog 20 yards back to the start line. As the dog and handler approach the Assessor, a dummy will be thrown at right angles to the dog. The dog must remain at heel throughout this distraction, heelwork standards as above. Maximum points for the second heel – 7
Remaining obedience work (whistle commands etc) are incorporated into the Field Skills section
Grade Three Intermediate HR – Field Skills requirements
MARKS ALLOCATED FOR FIELD SKILLS – 80
Hunting, retrieving, response to whistle commands
- CONTROLLED HUNTING: For the main body of the field skills section, the dog will hunt closely in front of the handler whilst the handler walks forwards for a distance of approximately 50 yards. The handler must demonstrate close control over the dog with appropriate use of the turn whistle. The terrain will consist of moderate cover.
- RECALL: The dog will be tested on the recall whistle once during hunting on the direction of the assessor.
- STOP WHISTLE: The dog will be tested on the stop whistle twice during hunting, each stop to be followed by a dummy throw and shot, once the dog is firmly seated. (i.e. this is not a ‘drop to fall’ test, but steadiness to fall is required).
- RETRIEVING : Three marked retrieves to be carried out – the first two as follows: The assessor will direct the handler to go out to the dog after each stop whistle test and once steadiness to fall is demonstrated. The dog will be sent for each of the marks from the handler’s side. Delivery to hand is essential. For the third and final marked retrieve, the dog will be sent across a minor obstacle such as a small stream or ditch. Swimming is not required. The final retrieve may be carried out separately from the hunting test if the terrain requires it.
Points for field skills will be allocated as follows:
Hunting – maximum 50 points
- Quartering pattern/ground coverage – 15 points
- Response to the whistle (turn/recall) – 15 points (10/5)
- Speed/style – 5 points
- Steadiness to fall – 15 points
Retrieving – maximum 30 points
- Each retrieve – 10 points
Think you can do it?
Find out how to take your test by visiting our Field Tests pages…