Are you starting a new pup, and looking for ways to get him in top mental and physical condition through the summer? Hunt Tests might be a great option. They are an opportunity to enjoy time spent training with other folks who have similar interests. While, at the same time, ensuring that you and your young gun dog are better prepared as you swing into hunting seasons next fall.
A great way to stay active through the summer is by joining a local dog club. The best place to start looking would be with one of the ‘testing organizations’ in your area. AKC , UKC , and NAVHDA groups are some of the most common, depending on the breed and event you’re interested in. Regardless of the group, in these organizations you’ll find help at all levels, and people with various amounts of experience.
Hunt tests provide the opportunity to improve as a trainer, build a great dog, and enjoy the outdoors. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Wren) Finding Entry-Level Hunt Tests Hunt tests exist across most sporting dog segments and are designed to evaluate or score dogs against established standards. Dogs will pass or fail the test based on their individual performance against these standards. Rather than competing dogs against each other, like in field trials, with the goal of finding one winner, hunt tests seek to find every dog that can complete the test—while meeting the established standards or benchmarks.
All test systems have multiple levels, each with increased requirements and difficulty. For this discussion, lets focus on those tests at the “entry-level.” These tests are all basically designed to evaluate the genetic potential of young dogs. They do this by looking at inherited characteristics, such as desire, a cooperative nature, pointing instinct (in pointing breeds), retrieving drive, mental stability, and in some cases coat and conformation. Complicated training and strict obedience are not as important here, however, they will play an important role as you move to higher levels of testing. Read on for tests good for young dogs.
Examples of Entry-Level Hunt Tests “Natural Ability” is the name chosen by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assoc. (NAVHDA) to identify their test for pups up to 16 months old.
“Junior” is used throughout the American Kennel Club (AKC) Hunt Test system. It is used for pointing breeds, spaniels, and retrievers, to identify their entry-level tests. These tests are not limited by age, only skill level.
“Started” is the term used by the Hunting Retriever Club (HRC), whose members conduct hunts under the auspices of the United Kennel Club Registry, to identify their entry-level tests.
No matter the breed you have, or the type of test you might be interested in, one of these organizations will have it. For example, the AKC (American Kennel Club ) has hunt tests for retrievers, pointing dogs, and spaniels; the UKC’s HRC (Hunting Retriever Club) tests are obviously designed for retrievers, but are open to some pointing breeds as well; and NAVHDA tests are for pointing dog’s, but based on the European concept that one dog can do it all. Their tests involve upland pointing and retrieving, tracking cripple game, and retrieving in water.
Hunt tests are an opportunity to meet like minded people and learn from other handlers. (Photo courtesy of Sean Curran) The Value of Entry-Level Hunt Tests At first impression, entry-level hunt tests may seem so easy, that some folks may question their value. However, I think if we take the time to really find out what’s going on, we may discover that tests go much deeper and present some real advantages.
Most importantly, they are evaluations of individual dogs. Entry-level tests are designed to present real field scenarios, giving judges the opportunity to observe and compare each dog’s performance with particular test standards—rather than comparing their performance to the other dogs afield. Once again, I’ll highlight the emphasis on inherited characteristics with these tests, and less emphasis on training.
The idea is, you can’t “teach” the desire or drive needed to persist under adverse conditions while out in the field, but they are needed to be successful at hunting. Yes, you can reward, and nurture or reinforce, but if they’re lazy, you’re stuck with lazy. The same with prey drive, intelligent application of their nose, pointing instinct in the pointing breeds, or marking ability in the retrievers. These natural abilities are the attributes primary to entry-level tests.
Please understand, we can condition, enhance, hone, and polish these attributes through proper exposure and rewards. But believe me, you’ll never surpass genetic or “God given” potential, and that’s my point.
A well-constructed, entry-level test utilizes terrain, cover, and game birds in its set ups. Though the set ups are less challenging than an advanced-level test, they are still realistic hunting situations that provide judges with a “looking glass” through which they can evaluate each dog.
It is easy to understand why entry-level tests may appear “easy” or “simple.” Test standards and supporting judges are not looking for polish, or evidence of extensive training. They’re attempting to interpret and evaluate the dog’s basic inherited attributes as noted earlier. This can be both good and bad.
If your prospect tests high, you’re faced with the knowledge that if their potential is not reached, it’s possibly your fault. Regardless of score, however, you’re likely hooked. This means you have a bunch of work ahead to bring your dog through all phases of training and exposure until it is a finished, well-trained gun dog, proven through subsequent testing levels.
Additional Benefits of Hunt Tests Although this basic evaluation in and of itself supports entry level testing, there are many other benefits. For example, introducing folks to dog sports, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors in general. I can’t tell you how many people, from obedience and other dog sports, have experienced hunting and the outdoors in a positive way through these basic level hunting tests. They’re a wonderful way for hunters itching to get into the dog sports to gain experience and build confidence, rather than jumping head long into field trials or higher-level tests.
In addition to those benefits, while around the hunt tests you’ll meet folks with your same interests, have opportunities to get involved in training groups, and in a very real way be able to extend your hunting season on through the summer months.
In my view, entry-level tests are providing opportunities for sporting dogs to enjoy what they evolved to do, and helping folks understand and enjoy our sport from that perspective. Bottom line, I’d say we have a winner.
Now, if you continue through the systems of NAVHDA, AKC, or the UKC’s HRC program to utility, master, and finished levels or beyond, I’ll guarantee you’ll meet some outstanding folks and make some lifelong friends. Not to mention develop yourself as a trainer and build a truly outstanding dog.
