Hi all, I have been asked by our wonderful newsletter editor to do a piece on field trials and hunt tests. To cover both adequately would take several pages so I will cover initially the difference (simplified) between the two events. I will also go into some detail about the junior hunter test i.e. what is required and how I, as a judge, view and pass or fail a dog.

 A field trial is a performance event in which the dogs are judged against their brace mate and the other dogs competing in the same stake. A stake is analogous to a class at a dog show. For example, the puppy stake would be similar to the puppy class. Derby (Puppy and Derby are called junior stakes) would be similar to the 9-12 and 12-18 and Amateur or Open Gun Dog (also called senior stakes) would be similar to the Open or BOB show classes. Just like in a dog show, not as much is expected of puppies, in terms of manners and ability. As they advanced more and more is expected of them. An Open Dog or Bitch should be a polished performer. The same holds true for a Gun Dog. Placements (1-4) are awarded as well as championship points (more on that in later articles).

 A hunt test is a performance event where the dog is judged against a standard and not against his brace mate. Instead of placements, dogs earn a leg or qualifying score. To become a junior a dog must qualify in four hunt tests.

 There are four areas of the junior hunter test that the dog must pass in order to earn a “leg”, Hunting, Bird Finding, Pointing and Trainability.  For each section I will quote from the AKC Regulations and then give you what I am looking for as judge.  I like to think I am a positive judge and try not to look for the negatives but that is not always possible.

 HUNTING:  A dog is scored 0 to 10 on the basis of whether or not it evidences a keen desire to hunt, boldness and independence, and a fast, yet useful pattern of running.

 I want to see a dog work the ENTIRE 15 MINUTES it is being judged. The dog can be fast and big running or it can be moderate in speed and distance and earn the same score. Both must be hunting constantly, rarely checking back, always going forward or out to the side (very rarely behind), using the wind and working cover where birds should be hiding.

 BIRD FINDING ABILITY:  A dog must find and point birds in order to receive a Qualifying score. Dogs are scored 0 to 10 based upon demonstration of intelligence in seeking objectives, use of the wind, and the ability to find birds.

 In order to find birds the dog has to hunt (see hunting). If the dog is under foot and finds a bird it is luck and not bird finding ability that put the dog in that position.

 POINTING: A dog is scored 0 to 10 in this category on the basis of the intensity of its point, as well as its ability to locate (pinpoint) birds under difficult scenting conditions and/or confusing scent patterns. A “flash” point cannot be graded as pointing, however, a dog’s score in this category shall not be influenced by its steadiness to wing and shot.

The longer the dog holds point, the steadier and stauncher (intensity) the point the better the score.  The dog must point each bird it encounters and the score is based accordingly on the number of birds handled properly. If the dog is soft or moving the score will be lower. If the dog is flagging (waving it’s tail and/or sniffing the bird, or laying down) it should not pass.

 TRAINABILITY: A dog is scored from 0 to 10 in this category on the basis of its willingness to be handled, its reasonable obedience to commands and its gun response. If the handler is within reasonable gun range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a blank pistol must be fired. (“gun shyness,” a component of gun response, cannot be tolerated…)

 A dog that will not return in a reasonable amount of time after chasing a bird that has been flushed will receive a lower score. It is difficult to give a passing score to a dog that has been under foot.

 TO QUALIFY:  The minimum passing score in any one category is a 5. However to qualify a dog must earn an average of 7 of all four categories to pass. So for a dog that receives a 5 in hunting he must get an at least 2 eights and a seven to achieve an average of 7.

 FINAL THOUGHTS:  When I judge a dog there are two questions I always ask myself; 1; does the dog deserve to pass and 2; is this a dog I could hunt over. If the answer to these two questions is yes I will pass the dog. It may not be what I like in a hunting dog (believe me only two of all the dogs I have owned and/or bred entirely fit what I like in a gun dog) but it has earn the right to pass and I enjoyed watching that dog work and believe me when I say there is no better seat in the house than being atop a horse watching bird dogs work.

                          —-Mick Osman