GUIDELINES - JUDGING GRAND HUNT TESTS

Guidelines are similar to those for Finished Hunting Retrievers. The tests should be difficult, but fair, true-to-life situations. Only UKC/HRC Hunting Retriever Champions (HRCH) may participate in the International Grand Hunts.

Marking tests are wide open to the imagination and hunting experiences of the Judges. Delayed marks and diversionary birds may be used in any order. If the Judges prefer to have the retrieves picked up in a required sequence, this must be made known to the Handlers. In addition to the regular marking tests, a single retrieve is encouraged to be set up in conjunction with either or both of the blind retrieves, in keeping with actual hunting situations. It may also be permissible to run a double blind retrieve test.

Extreme care shall be taken on the part of the Judges to maintain authenticity in all testing situations, whether it be marking, blind retrieves, combinations, quartering, tracking or walk-up tests.

I. Hand signals, voice and whistle commands may be utilized by the Handler to encourage the Grand Champion to perform. However, should excessive handling or noise occur, which in the opinion of the Judges, would disturb the hunt, the Judges may declare the test a failure. The dog is being tested for both its marking and handling ability.

II. Excessive noise or intimidation to prevent a “break” should result in failure. A “controlled break” will result in failure.

III. A Judge should periodically inspect birds taken from the Handler, especially in the instance of a dog suspected of hard mouth.

IV. The Judge should look for the dog that walks obediently to the line, sits obediently and exhibits an attentive attitude.

V. The diversionary bird should be thrown as the dog returns from any retrieve. If a diversionary bird is thrown on the initial cast, Judges should specify whether or not the retrieves should be made in any established sequence. If the dog switches on a diversionary bird thrown on the return from a retrieve, the test will be failed. Remember that when a hazard or diversion of any kind is set out for the dog, it is the recovery that the dog executes that is important.

VI. Imagination in the placement of Gunners and Bird Throwers should be used on the part of the Judges. The Grand Hunting Retriever should represent the best of the breed and this should be a factor in the placement and test set-up.

VII. Quartering. The dog hunts in a radius ideally from 10 to 30 yards to the side and in front of the Handler. The live bird is flushed (released or thrown), in full view of the dog. The distance from the bird to the dog should be within scenting distance when the bird is released. The dog is required to be steady to wing and shot. The dog should immediately return to the previous hunting range upon being called and/or whistle commanded by the Handler. The Handler will shoot the gun (popper), and the gunners may kill the bird. If the dog does not immediately return to the hunting area, the test is failed.

The dog should be eager, hunt all available cover diligently and be under control. The intent of the Quartering test is not to demonstrate running a pattern, but to demonstrate a natural tendency to hunt and be under control.

In the Upland Game Test, Quartering, Tracking and Walk-up can all be combined at the discretion of the Judges.