Types of Tests
Natural Ability - NA
Dogs Up To 16 months old including the day they turn 16 Months old
Evaluates inherent natural abilities of young dogs.
Older Dogs Can Only Be Evaluated Under This Test
About The "NA"
- FIELD PHASE - Simulated Hunt for minimum of 20 min. over varied terrain known to contain game. At 2 random points along course one blank round will be fired by a gunner to test dog's reaction (Not gun shy, Gun sensitive, Gun shy).
- TRACKING PHASE - A flightless pheasant/chukar is released in 8 inch cover out of dog's sight. After dog is on scent, handler is to remain motionless and silent. Dog must display eagerness and perseverance on track.
- WATER PHASE - Throw Chapter/Judges dummy into swimmable water. Must have willingness to swim twice.
- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - Teeth, Coat, etc.
- JUDGED THROUGHOUT - Nose, Desire, Cooperation
- (No game is shot and no retrieves are required)
Gun Dog Test - GDT
Is a test midway between NA and UT. Intended to help trainer measure a dog's progress towards UT.
No age restriction
About The “GDT”
- WALK AT HEEL - Follow master at heel, 25 yard course with a bend.
- STEADINESS BY THE BLIND - Position dog by blind. Duck is thrown, Handler fires blank at duck. After distinct time handler commands to fetch.
- RETRIEVE OF DUCK - No distraction shots are used. Dog should be steady until sent for retrieve. Dog should swim directly to duck; pick up duck and return to within reach of handler.
- FIELD SEARCH - Hunt for minimum of 25 min. over varied terrain known to contain game. Not required to be steady to shot.
- POINTING - Begins when point established. Ends when dog is aware of handler's presence.
- STEADINESS - Steady to flush, or at least allow handler to move in front to begin flush.
- RETRIEVE SHOT BIRD - With minimum of commands retrieve and return bird to within reach of handler.
- RETRIEVE OF DRAGGED GAME - 50 yards with latter part out of sight of handler. Dog must display willingness to find and retrieve.
JUDGED THROUGHOUT - Use of nose; Desire to work; Cooperation; Obedience.
Utility Test
Evaluates experienced dogs
No age restriction
About The “UT”
- SEARCH FOR THE DUCK - Pond/Marsh, 1+ acre with hiding vegetation. Out of dog's sight, wild species of duck rendered flightless, placed in water and allowed time to swim and hide. Blank shot fired and dog sent to find duck (minimum of 10 min allowed).
- WALK AT HEEL - Follow master at heel through zig zag of 10 trees/stakes.
- REMAIN BY BLIND - 6-10 decoys in front of blind. Place and leave dog in/near blind. Handler walks to hidden spot and fires 2 blank shotgun rounds. Dog should quietly await return of handler.
- STEADINESS BY THE BLIND - Handler enters blind and leaves dog outside. Gunner and handler each fire one shot. Gunner fires second shot. Thrower, launches dead duck. With duck in the air, handler fires second shot. After distinct time handler commands to fetch. RETRIEVE OF DUCK - Swim through/around decoys; pick up duck; return to “hand”.
- FIELD SEARCH - Hunt for minimum of 30 min. over varied terrain known to contain game.
- POINTING - Begins when point established. Ends when dog is aware of handler's presence. (not a part of :Steadiness”)
- STEADINESS - Steady to flush, to wing, to shot, to fall.
- RETRIEVE SHOT BIRD - On command retrieve to hand.
- RETRIEVE OF DRAGGED GAME - 100 to 200 yards with latter part out of sight of handler. Dog must display willingness to find and retrieve without influence of handler.
JUDGED THROUGHOUT - Use of nose; Desire to work; Stamina; Cooperation; Obedience.
