+Spaniel Working Tests
Run by: GundogMax
The Spaniel Working Tests has been dropped this year due to unsuitable ground — this does not affect the Gundog Scurries so please come along and enter on the day.
The purpose of a spaniel working test is to provide an opportunity for a dog to demonstrate its field abilities in a manner as consistent as possible with the demands of actual hunting conditions.
The objective – to help the hunter develop a useful hinting companion by providing a means to gauge a dog’s ability at the novice and open levels.
The following rules apply to all three levels of testing:
- Working tests are open to all KC registered Spaniels. The working test is designed to simulate a day in the field. The basic attributes of the test allow the dog to demonstrate its hunting abilities – how to find game, how to flush game, and how to retrieve game
- There are two test levels – Novice and Open
- The dog’s natural hunting ability and training are scored against a standard of performance. The standard varies by test level.
- Dogs are run in pairs with handler, judges, and hidden dummy throwers
- Female dogs in season are not allowed.
The dog must show a desire to hunt in an enthusiastic manner and the ability to retrieve. It is necessary that a dog be steady to wing and shot, should it encounter game whilst competing The dog should show no fear of cover, demonstrate a reasonable response to commands, and maintain a reasonable working distance from handler.
The dogs must find, flush, and retrieve completely to hand. They must show boldness to cover, a pattern addressing the course objectives, and an intense desire to hunt. A proper working distance and independent hunting sense must be maintained. They must retrieve eagerly to hand, and exhibit the ability to hunt back on a blind retrieve.
Keeping in mind that the purpose of a flushing dog is to hunt, find, flush, and retrieve birds in a pleasing and obedient manner, as dogs advance in the level of tests, their performance is expected to be more finished; therefore, they are judged with less tolerance. the judges assign a numerical score that reflects an estimation of how well a dog performs against an established standard. Stated in the test regulations, for the test level under consideration.
As dogs advance in the level of tests, their performance is expected to be more finished; therefore, they are judged with less tolerance.