Retriever hunting tests were an idea whose time had come when the first two were held on the same day in 1985 in St. Joseph, Kansas, and Lufkin, Texas. Retriever field trials had become highly competitive, financially beyond the means of the average dog-owning hunter, and test conditions dissimilar to practical hunting situations.
Competition calls for more and more refined performances and judging that can distinguish which of the specially bred and superbly trained dogs will take the prize. By contrast, retriever hunting tests do not pit dogs against one another to determine a winner. Instead, dogs are judged by a standard to determine which dogs qualify.
Dogs are not ranked against each other in retriever hunting tests, and every dog who qualifies is a winner. The events are designed to be enjoyable, and handlers can continue entering their dogs who have already earned the titles. Everyone can root for everyone else, because one person’s success doesn’t hurt anyone else’s chances.
Retriever owners have responded enthusiastically to the American Kennel Club’s establishment of the retriever hunting test program. The first year saw 13 events, 681 starters, growing to 299 events and 30,805 starters in the year 2001.
The first three Junior Hunter titles were earned at a Duncan, Oklahoma event, by two Labrador Retrievers from Kansas and a Golden Retriever from Oklahoma. This forms an interesting contrast to the beginnings of retriever field trials on wealthy estates in the Northeastern United States.
Breeds eligible for retriever hunting tests are Chesapeake Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel and Standard Poodle. Dogs that have been granted the Indefinite Listing Privilege as AKC-registerable retriever breeds are eligible to enter retriever hunting tests. Breeds under certain other special registration categories are also eligible, and new breeds are added from time to time.
Retriever hunting test rules, like all event rules, are subject to change, so be sure to check out the current rules before entering any event with your dog. You’ll want to train specifically for the rules under which you and your dog will be tested. The American Kennel Club’s website, www.akc.org, enables the AKC to keep the rules up to date for participants to access, with huge savings over the former necessity to reprint massive quantities of rulebooks for every revision. Printed rulebooks are still available, though, and you can contact the AKC if you need one.
The Titles
Three basic titles make up the retriever hunting test program: junior hunter, senior hunter, and master hunter. It is not necessary to earn a junior hunter title before pursuing and earning a senior hunter title. Nor is a Senior Hunter title required as a prerequisite for the master hunter title. An annual master national test began in 1991 as a showcase event for the retriever hunting test program beyond the master hunter title.
To receive a qualifying score toward a junior, senior or master hunter title, a dog must get an average score of not less than 5 out of 10 on each of the abilities on the evaluation forms filled out by both judges. The overall average score of all abilities must not be less than 7.
If both judges score a dog zero on the same ability, that dog cannot receive a qualifying score. The judges inform one another of any zero score in order to remove the dog from the next series of the day. The decision to eliminate any dog from qualifying must be reached by consensus of the judges.
The purpose of a retriever hunting test is to evaluate the abilities of retrievers as hunting companions. The judges are highly qualified hunting dog specialists who are charged with the responsibility of creating a realistic hunting situation to test each dog. Gun safety is top priority, and the dogs are expected to retrieve any type of game bird under all conditions, equally well on land and water.
For the junior hunter (JH) title, a dog must acquire qualifying scores in the junior hunting test at four AKC licensed or member club hunting tests. The dog may be led to the line on leash or by the buckle collar, and may be restrained gently while quietly honoring another dog’s retrieve and until sent to retrieve. The junior hunter test includes four single marked retrieves (dog sees the bird fall), two on land and two on water. The handler carries an unloaded shotgun on at least two of the marks, but need not shoulder it.
The senior hunter (SH) title requires Qualifying scores in five senior hunting tests, or a junior hunter title plus four qualifying scores in senior hunting tests. For both senior and master hunting tests the dog must come quietly and steadily up to the line and honor a working dog’s retrieve off leash and without a collar. On these levels the handler will carry and shoulder an empty shotgun.
The senior hunting test includes a minimum of four hunting situations: one land blind (dog does not see the bird fall), one water blind, one double mark on land and one double mark on water. The land and water blind can be combined into a double blind on land and water. A “double” means two birds down to retrieve before the dog is sent for the first one and then the second.
To earn the master hunter (MH) title, the dog must earn qualifying scores in six master hunting tests or earn the senior hunter title plus qualifying scores in five master hunting tests. The master hunting test presents the dog with five hunting situations: multiple land marks, multiple water marks, multiple marks on water and land, and a land blind and a water blind that must include at least one double blind. At least one of the multiple marking scenarios must have three birds downed before the dog is sent to retrieve. The dog with the master hunter title is a finished, experienced hunting companion.
The Abilities
Whether you enter retriever hunting tests with your dog or not, understanding the genetic abilities of these dogs will give you a good idea of their nature. If you have a retriever, you’ll see the reasons behind some of your dog’s behaviors. If you’re considering adding a retriever to your family you’ll better understand what these fascinating dogs are like—and why.
Marking, or memory of fallen birds, is a necessary ability for the retriever to perform the work of retrieving game in the field. The “style” ability of a dog is the eager, alert, speedy manner in which the dog performs tasks such as entering the water, searching, picking up the bird and delivering it promptly to hand.
Perseverance is a highly valued ability that also suits retrievers for vital jobs such as assisting people who have disabilities and performing scent tasks with police, military, customs and border patrol handlers. The good retriever pushes on through the job in spite of obstacles and hardship. Perseverance includes a strong focus on the task at hand.
Trainability is the final ability tested, and it includes four components: steadiness, control, response and delivery. These products of trainability that show the work that has been put into the dog are particularly judged on the master hunter level.
For breeding purposes, though, it’s the inherited abilities of marking, style, perseverance and trainability that are most important. These qualities are also evident in judging the less-polished junior hunter. Identifying dogs who can reproduce these traits is a major purpose of retriever hunting tests. Breeders are making good use of this tool to prove and choose the best dogs to add to their bloodlines.
Proud Heritage
Hunting retrievers are important to game conservation and responsible hunting. The qualities that make dogs capable at this work also fit them for other roles that become more important in human society with every passing year.
One trait absolutely not tolerated in dogs at retriever hunting tests is aggression toward either other dogs or humans. The job of hunting companion requires that retrievers behave with civility around the other human hunters and their dogs. This is one reason for the huge numbers of Retrievers working in jobs that bring them into contact with the public.
Retrievers require more training than many other types of dogs. Trainability is a hallmark of these breeds, but so is high energy and great persistence. Neglecting the proper training of your retriever can result in raising a dog who persistently does some stylishly mischievous things! With the right training, there simply is no finer dog than a good retriever.