päivitetty - updated Oct 8, 2011

Kokeet - Hunt tests 2011

NOME B = cold game test

Hunt tests for retrievers in Finland

NOVICE CLASS

The hunt test class is always done with real game (however has been frozen), mainly with seagulls, crows, pheasants and hares/rabbits. It includes water or land blind, a mark exercise (either single or double, or even two single marks) either/both on land and water and a free search. For those dogs still qualified for the first prize there is also a tracking exercise.

Very often the test starts with a mark, however it seems the trend is to start with a blind. The distance of a single mark can be anything from just 20 meters (20 yd) to 30-40m (32-43 yd). The blind can be anything from 15-30 m (16-21 yd). The game is not completely visible, but usually behind a rock or under tree branches/leaves, so you need to get the dog pretty close before it can hunt the game on its own.

Free search is valued highly, and it is always an important part of any hunt test. Usually there are about 5-6 games, if possible both on land and the water, and the handler is just given the borders of the search area, so that if the dog runs outside the area, you can call him back. The dog is expected to find, pick up spontaniously and retrieve back to the handler, and deliver to your hand. The dog fails the test if at any time it refuses to pick up game, if it crushes or eats the game (is checked by the judge) or if he refuses to swim. All of which do happen in every test!

If the dog has successfully passed all of the above, those dogs still qualified for the first prize are called to run the trail. They first need to find the end of the trail (rabbit or hare) and then  follow the scent to the game (200m/218 yd), pick it up and bring it home.

The judge comments on the performance, usually mentions how the dog carries game, what kind of co-operation there is between the dog and the handler, and if there are serious faults; ie. the dogs is noisy (barks, whines), if it runs off, does not listen to the whistle, to mention a few.

Each participant is also given a written record of the performance.

QUALIFIER

All retrievers must pass a qualifier before they are allowed to run in hunt tests. Also show champion dogs need to pass, to get that title. The qualifier consists  of four parts. Here´s a short intro - pics will follow as soon as the season starts!

1. Social behavior
The judge explains the test while the handlers have their dogs in leash, quite close to each other. The judge just wants to see that the dogs show no aggression or extreme shyness towards each other or people. It is very rare to fail at this stage.

2. Water work
Swimming is an essential skill and attitude (!) for all retrievers. The first bird (mallard or similar) is thrown from the land and the dog is sent to retrieve. The handler is allowed to keep the dog in leash until the send-off. After this bird is home,  the second throw comes from a rowing boat with a shot (shotgun). The distance to swim is about 30-32 yards and the water must be deep enough - so the dog has to really swim. Both birds need to be delivered close to the handler - the often heard definition is: the hander should not get completely wet when getting that bird :)  It is very common for a young dog to drop the bird before coming onto land, and  to shake himself. Later in the hunt tests delivery should be to your hands.
What should not happen: the dog refuses to swim or refuses to take the bird.

3. Search
When hunting in Finland or anywhere in the Nordic countries (apart from Iceland..!), your dog should be very good in independent, free search. Very often, we hunt alone - we need a dog to mark the birds and then do the job quite independently - especially if there are several birds down, the shooter may have an idea about the area where to search but nothing accurate - we rely on the dog to find the bag!
In the qualifier, the dog first sees a throw (crow or pheasant) and is sent to retrieve. After the first bag is home, the dog is sent off repeatedly and is espected to find game in the area totally independently. There are 5 birds in the area + the one thrown. At least 3-4 birds need to be found and delivered, sometimes the judge may want to see all of them brought home. The area is big enough so that the handler cannot see the dog at all times, and also the terrain may change and include forest and cane-grass. The distance may vary from just 10 to 55 yards.
The big NO-NOs are crushing the game, hiding it or refusal to retrieve.

4. And finally, if you got this far: the rabbit/hare!
Eventhough the Finnish hound has been bred especially to hunt hares, the retrievers also need to demonstrate they can find and follow a scent and retrieve a hare at the end of that trail. The qualifier ends with this final part. The handler is allowed to send his dog towards the direction shown by the judge (so the dog will come across the trail), but the dog needs to find the scent independently, follow that trail and retrieve the animal (hare/rabbit) back to his handler. The distance is about 164 yards.

All that done - congratulations - you are now eligible for real hunt tests! I will continue as my dogs progress to this level.. !

WORKING TEST

Working Test, also called a"WT" is perfect training for both the dog and the handler! The judges give you feedback and this test is even more about co-operation, obedience and details than the B-test. There are four tasks and you get a max of 20 points from each. All mistakes are deducted from the top score. Also if your scores from each task are not 11 points or more, you´ll get a general mark of 0 . Those dogs with min.60 points will go to final where these dogs will decide the placings.