GUIDELINES FOR JUDGING UPLAND HUNT TESTS

I. Walk-up: The Judge should look for the dog that walks attentively at heel and does not have to be loudly reminded to stay in position. Remember the hunter is trying to walk up or sneak up on sitting birds to get a flush and a shot. A dog that runs ahead or has to be loudly controlled will most likely scare off the birds before the hunter can get within gun range.

It is not necessary for the dog to sit when the bird is flushed or released, but it should not leave the retrieving line before being commanded to do so. The retrieving line in the Walk-up test is the point where the Handler and dog are when the bird is flushed.

II. Quartering: The Upland Hunting Retriever should hunt the available cover on its own, without continual coaxing by the Handler. In general the dog should use its nose to hunt the cover, with eyes attentive, ears erect, and tail up. The dog does not need to run a pattern, but should show a natural ability to hunt the cover and be under control. Hand, voice or whistle commands are acceptable to begin the dog hunting, change the dog’s direction or hunt areas, or keep the dog in gun range. However, a markdown should occur and the test may be failed if the dog is directed by the Handler for every change of direction and to every patch of cover.

The Upland Hunting dog is expected to flush the bird.

After the flush is made the dog should come to a stop on its own or on the command of the Handler. It is not necessary for the dog to sit, but it should come to a stop within a reasonable distance after the flush to allow the Handler and gunners a clean and safe shot. A dog that does not stop on the Handlers whistle or voice command should be assessed a markdown for a refusal, the severity of which will be determined by the conditions of the test and the individual flush. For example a dog that is merely repositioning or moving out of heavy cover to mark the fall better, and then stops on its own or on command, should not be marked down. Any subsequent refusals by the dog to stop will place the dog in increasing jeopardy of failure. A controlled break will result if the dog stops after the flush, then leaves, before being sent by the Handler, to retrieve the downed bird or chase a fly away bird, and then is stopped by the Handler. Judges should instruct gunners to let the bird fly off a short distance (i.e. 10 to 20 yards) before shooting and to make every effort not to drop the bird at the dog’s feet. A bird dropped a few feet in front of a dog has a much different effect on steadiness than one dropped 10 to 20 yards away, and Judges must take this into consideration in making their evaluation.

III. Tracking: The Upland Hunting dog should be evaluated on its ability to find a scent trail and follow it to the bird. The dog is not required to stay exactly on the scent trail, but should demonstrate progress along the drag scented path to the dead bird or along the route of a running bird.

Voice or whistle commands may be used to encourage the dog to hunt, but hand signals should not be used once the dog is set on the beginning of the trail. Voice commands such as “back” or “over” would not be acceptable, but commands such as “hunt ‘em up” or “find the bird” are acceptable. Sufficient time should be given for the dog to work out the scent trail as long as it is making progress along the trail. If a dog strays completely out of the tracking area it may be called in and set again on the beginning of the trail. However, if the dog aimlessly hunts with no direction along the scent trail and has to continually be reset on the track the test may be failed. Once the bird is found it should be retrieved and delivered to hand.