Working Certificate
The Working Certificate was designed to demonstrate whether or not dogs possessed the natural retrieving instinct and trainability to be a working companion to the average hunter.
This program involves a test in which a passing performance earns the title. Dogs who pass the test will be permitted to have the letters of that title added after their registered name.
Hunt Tests
The Hunt Test program was designed to test the working abilities of dogs in conditions as closely approximating real field conditions and situations as possible. At each level, the dog must earn three or more "legs" or passing scores to earn the title. A passing score is considered 70% or better, with no single category scoring less than an average of 50% from the scores of the two judges.
A dog who has earned a hunt test title will have the title letters appearing after their registered name.
Field Trials
This is the elite level of field work. Many of the people involved in this aspect of field work are professional trainers who work with dogs from purpose-bred bloodlines. The quality of work and intensity of focus of these dogs is really something to behold.
The dogs who compete in field trial events are scored on their performance with the purpose of determining a winner in each stake. Winning dogs in these events may earn the titles FTCH and AFTCH (if handled by an amateur) before their names.
Working Certificates
Working Certificate (WC): back to back singles on land and back to back singles on water
Working Certificate Intermediate (WCI): a land double, an honour on land, and a water double
Working Certificate Excellent (WCX): a walk up test with a land double or land/water double, an honour on the walk-up, a water double, a land blind, and a water blind.
Hunt Tests
Junior Hunter (JH): 2 single land marks, and 2 single water marks. Dogs should not be handled on more than one mark. Dogs may be brought to line on lead and restrained until sent and need not yet be steady. Collars or leads shall be removed before the dog is sent. Three legs must be earned for this title.
Senior Hunter (SH): dogs shall be tested on at least 5 hunting situations including a land blind and a water blind (run singly or in combination), a double land mark and a double water mark, an upland hunting test, and a walk-up in combination with one of these situations. Dogs shall be steady on line, and given the opportunity to honour. Diversions shot(s) shall be used, and a diversion mark may be used. Four legs must be earned for this title.
Master Hunter (MH): dogs shall be tested on a minimum of 5 hunting situations including multiple land marks, multiple water marks, an upland hunting test, a land blind(s) and a water blind(s).There shall be at least three series. Diversion shots and/or birds shall be used at least once. Triple marks are encouraged for the multiples. Dogs must be steady and must be provided at least one opportunity to honour. Five legs must be earned for this title.
Field Trials
Junior Stake
Qualifying Stake
Amateur Stake
Open Stake
Photos: Oslach Photography
Photos: Lola Jones, Maktawae Labradors