Hunt tests are a great way to compete your working retriever against a certain standard and gain titles.

What’s the value behind the titles? For your dog to gain a title (JH, HR, HRCH, MH, etc) your dog must pass hunt tests.  This proves that your dog can do the work to gain the titles. This can put more value on future dogs from his/her pedigree.  Also, training for these tests can help your dog keep in shape & further his experience. Plus it’s a lot of fun to compete your dog and meet other people that enjoy dogs.

AKC, UKC, MH, JH, HR, HRCH:  OK, what in the world does all this mean??

There are many types of dog registries, but here we’ll focus on the big 2: American Kennel Club (AKC) & United Kennel Club (UKC).  Each registry has the same goal in mind, but different rules and regulations.

Below is just a brief overview of what to expect in a AKC or UKC hunt test. For a complete explanation of the rules please see the AKC & UKC rule books.

There are 3 levels of hunt tests.  They are detailed here:

 

AKC

UKC
Junior (JH) Started (SHR)
Senior (SH) Seasoned (HR)
Master (MH) Finished (HRCH)

 

American Kennel Club (AKC) Hunt Test

United Kennel Club (UKC ) Hunt Tests
Junior level hunt test  (JH title)

An overview of what you can expect in a Junior level Hunt test:

  • Two single marks on water
  • Two single marks on land
  • Dogs can be restrained gently with a slip cord or held gently by the flat buckle collar until sent to retrieve
  • Dogs must deliver the birds to hand

How to gain the JH Title:  A dog must pass 4 AKC Junior Level Hunt tests.

 Started level hunt test (SHR title)

An overview of what you can expect in a Started level Hunt test:

  • Four single marks: 2 on land & 2 on water.
  • The hunting retriever is not required to be steady at the retrieving line. The hunting retriever may be hand held at the retrieving line.
  • The bird must be delivered to the immediate area of the Handler. It is not necessary to deliver to hand.

How to gain the SHR Title:  Five (5) Championship points per hunt test are awarded for those dogs who pass all Started Hunting Retriever tests. Four (4) Started passes are required for the Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) title.
Senior level hunt test (SH title)

An overview of what you can expect in a Senior level hunt test:

  • One land blind
  • One water blind
  • One double land mark (a double mark is defined as two marks presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
  • One double water mark.
  • One diversion shot or retrieve
  • A walk-up.
  • Dogs must be steady on the line
  • Dogs must retrieve to hand

How to gain a SH title:  A dog must pass either 5 AKC Senior level hunt tests OR pass 4 AKC Senior level hunt test if a dog already acquired a JH title.

 Seasoned level hunt test (HR title)

An overview of what you can expect in a Seasoned level hunt test:

  • One land blind (Blinds shall not be run between marks)
  • One water blind
  • One double land mark (a double mark is defined as two marks presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
  • One double water mark.
  • One diversion retrieve
  • A walk-up.
  • Dogs must be steady on the line
  • Dogs must retrieve to hand

How to gain a HR title:  Ten (10) Championship points per hunt test are awarded for those dogs who pass all Seasoned Hunting Retriever tests. A maximum of forty (40) Championship points towards a degree can be earned in this category. Ten (10) points can be rolled over from the started hunt tests.  Either a dog must past 3 seasoned test if they have 10 points from the started or they have to pass 4 seasoned test if no started points have been achieved.
Master level hunt test (MH title)

An overview of what you can expect in a Master level hunt test:

  • One double blind (land/water or combo)
  • One or two single blinds (land or water)***
  • One triple land mark (a triple mark is defined as three marks presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
  • One triple water mark. **
  • One diversion shot and/or retrieve
  • A walk-up.
  • A dog shall be required to honor a working dog.
  • Dogs must be steady on the line
  • Dogs must retrieve to hand

** In the master level only one set of marks must be a triple, the other can be a double and a single, a triple, three singles, just use your imagination. *** The blinds can be a single or double, this is left up to the judges. How to gain a MH title:  A dog must pass either 6 AKC Master level hunt tests OR pass 5 AKC Master level hunt test if a dog already acquired a SH title.

 Finished level hunt test (HRCH title)

An overview of what you can expect in a Finished level hunt test:

  • One land blind
  • One water blind
  • One triple land mark (a triple mark is defined as three marks presented before the dog is sent to retrieve.)
  • One triple water mark.
  • One diversion shot and/or retrieve
  • A walk-up.
  • A dog shall be required to honor a working dog.
  • Dogs must be steady on the line
  • Dogs must retrieve to hand

How to gain a HRCH title:  Fifteen (15) Championship points per UKC Hunt test are awarded for those dogs who pass all Finished Hunting Retriever tests. The Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) title is attained by earning one hundred (100) Championship Points. Sixty (60) of the one hundred (100) points must be earned from the Finished category. Points can be earned in Started, Seasoned or Finished. Therefore if a dog has a HR title, they are required to pass 4 finished hunt tests.

Is there a difference between a hunt test and a field trial?  YES — the field trial system is set up much different than a hunt test.  The marks and blinds are much longer and difficult.  Also, in a hunt test your dog and you are competing against the test.  In a field trial you are competing against every dog running.

Are there other registries that put on hunt test and field trials? YES — There are registries all over the world that puts on different types of hunting trials.

How do you learn about hunt tests? Hunt tests are put on by Retriever clubs, so locate the closest retriever club near you to learn more about hunt tests. In the DFW Metroplex there is BigDHRC and Cowtown HRC.