Unleash your competitive side - Gundog Working Tests
So you’ve put the training hours in and are quietly pleased at how your dog has come on. The Shooting season is over, or perhaps you are not interested in your dog retrieving game at all, so what now?
Well how about trying your hand (and paws) at gundog Working Tests? Run by Gundog Clubs/Societies up and down the country throughout the Spring and Summer months, Working Tests provide you and your dog not only a chance to test out your skills in a friendly, competitive environment, but are a wonderful way to meet likeminded people.
So what exactly are Working Tests?
In short they are a test of the working ability of gundogs under competitive conditions. They try, as closely as possible, to replicate all the scenarios a dog might encounter during day's shooting in the field. So, such things as a long retrieve, or a blind (unseen) retrieve, or a retrieve from water or thick cover or woodland etc. Instead of using game, Working Tests use canvas dummies as the retrieving articles.
Usually run throughout the day, a Working Test typically comprises of between 4 and 6 separate tests, which competitors take it in turns to complete. There are usually between 20 and 40 dogs and their handlers i.e. you, competing against each other.
Each of the four to six separate tests that make up a Working Test aim to assess the ability of your dog and you the handler on different gundog skills e.g. retrieving; hunting; steadiness; water work; handler control. They are marked by Judges out of a total score of 20 - 20 being the maximum points you can attain.
Examples of retriever tests are as follows:
Test 1: a marked retrieve – in this scenario your dog will be expected to ‘mark’ the dummy well and run out smartly to the spot where the dummy has landed and retrieve it to hand.
Test 2: a marked retrieve in water – as above, but the dog must not drop the dummy in preference for a shake out of the water.
Test 3: a blind up a track – the dog is directed by the handler under the instructions of a Judge to a placed dummy that has not been seen by either dog or handler. Then find the ‘blind dummy’ and return it to the handler, hopefully with the minimum amount of interference/help from the handler.
Test 4: two marked dummies – after seeing two dummies thrown a Judge indicates which dummy he would like the dog to pick first. Once that retrieve is successfully back with the handler the Judge may ask the handler to send the dog for the remaining dummy.
There are many variations of the above and many different scenarios. Just how difficult they are depends on the level of the Working Test you enter.
Levels of Working Tests
As a beginner you should either aim for a Puppy Working Test if your dog is young enough or the entry level Working Test - Novice Dog/Novice Handler, or both even. They are specifically tailored for those with little experience or novice and young dogs. The types of tests set up on the day are less taxing and the marking more generous. Once your experience grows then you may like to move up to more difficult Working Tests, such as Novice or Open Working Tests.
In summary, the levels of tests offered by most Gundog Clubs/Societies are as follows:
Puppy: Confined to dogs over 6 months of age and under 18 months of age on the day of the Test.
Special Puppy: Confined to KC registered dogs from 6 months of age to no older than 24 months on the day of the test, the age range being set by the Club, so it can vary.
Novice Dog/Novice Handler: Not to have won a 1st in a Novice Dog/Novice Handler Gundog Working Test, 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any Novice Gundog Working Test or Any award in an Open Working Test or Field Trial held in accordance with KC regulations.
Veteran: Open to KC registered dogs aged 8 years and over on the day to the test.
Novice: Confined to KC registered dogs which have not gained a COM or higher award at a field trial or 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Open Working Test or 1st in any Novice test held in accordance with KC regulations.
Intermediate: Confined to KC registered dogs, not to have been placed 1st in an Open test or to have won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any field trial.
Open: Open to all KC registered dogs however in the event of a large entry, preference may be given to dogs which have gained an award or COM in a field trial or been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a Open working test or a 1st in any test run in accordance with KC regulations.
When am I ready to do a Working Test?
This is a hard question to answer. Sometimes it’s a case of just giving it a go. What are worth bearing in mind though are the following skill sets you and your dog should’ve achieved:
Who wins/loses Working Tests?
A dog that retrieves quickly; hunts well; is steady to dummies being thrown and guns fired and requires minimum input from the handler is likely to do very well in a Working Test. A dog that ‘runs in’ i.e. goes to retrieve before being instructed by a Judge to do so; fails to retrieve a dummy or even the correct dummy, will likely score zero points. A dog that completes the test successfully but has required a good deal of help from the handler to do so will in turn score middling points.
At the end of the day, everyone’s scores are added up and the dog and handler with the highest overall score and with no zero’s wins. Sometimes two or more dogs may score the same. In this case a ‘run off’ is organised. A ‘run off’ is basically another quick test where all those dogs with the same score are pitted against each other in turn. The Judges will decide from this which of the dogs is worthy of first place etc.
What if I do really badly?
There is no shame in doing badly. We’ve all been there. On my first Working test I scored three zero’s in a row but I came away feeling really positive. I had gleamed a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses and also been privy to some really helpful advice thanks to friendly competitors and Judges. Whether you win or lose the day is just as rewarding and fun and there’s always another Working Test round the corner to have a crack at. Rest assured you will not be the only one scoring zeros that day. In any case you may do extremely well.
Where can I find my nearest Working tests?
Use the Kennel Club Directory to find the nearest Clubs/Societies to you. Contact suitable Clubs and they will able to inform you of their list of events for the year and how to enter.
Other things I need to know
In order to compete your dog needs to be registered with the Kennel Club. There are some Clubs/Societies that will let you run your dog in Working Tests regardless but as ‘Not For Competition’ (NFC). So whilst you will never be in the placings you can still enter and enjoy the day.
You do not need to be a member of the Club/Society to enter a Working test. Although members typically pay a little less entry fee e.g. £6 as opposed to non members e.g. £10 and if space is limited then preference is given to members.
Bring lunch, plenty of water for your dog and wet weather gear. As Working Tests are run throughout the day in the countryside, facilities for you and your dog are virtually non existent! There will be lots of periods of hanging around whilst you wait your turn, don’t be discouraged by this though as these present excellent opportunities for you to talk to fellow competitors and make new friends/contacts. There may also be lots of walking between the different tests, so remember comfortable and practical country footwear.
Lastly, will I enjoy it?
Hugely, yes. There is no doubt that the first one or two Working Tests can be a little nerve racking but there is nothing quite as satisfying for you and your dog than knowing you have achieved and survived a whole day of working tests. Be warned though, Working Tests have a reputation of bringing out the competitive side of you and your dog, sometimes one you didn’t even know existed. They are also hugely addictive and not just for you but your dog also. Enjoy!
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Well how about trying your hand (and paws) at gundog Working Tests? Run by Gundog Clubs/Societies up and down the country throughout the Spring and Summer months, Working Tests provide you and your dog not only a chance to test out your skills in a friendly, competitive environment, but are a wonderful way to meet likeminded people.
So what exactly are Working Tests?
In short they are a test of the working ability of gundogs under competitive conditions. They try, as closely as possible, to replicate all the scenarios a dog might encounter during day's shooting in the field. So, such things as a long retrieve, or a blind (unseen) retrieve, or a retrieve from water or thick cover or woodland etc. Instead of using game, Working Tests use canvas dummies as the retrieving articles.
Usually run throughout the day, a Working Test typically comprises of between 4 and 6 separate tests, which competitors take it in turns to complete. There are usually between 20 and 40 dogs and their handlers i.e. you, competing against each other.
Each of the four to six separate tests that make up a Working Test aim to assess the ability of your dog and you the handler on different gundog skills e.g. retrieving; hunting; steadiness; water work; handler control. They are marked by Judges out of a total score of 20 - 20 being the maximum points you can attain.
Examples of retriever tests are as follows:
Test 1: a marked retrieve – in this scenario your dog will be expected to ‘mark’ the dummy well and run out smartly to the spot where the dummy has landed and retrieve it to hand.
Test 2: a marked retrieve in water – as above, but the dog must not drop the dummy in preference for a shake out of the water.
Test 3: a blind up a track – the dog is directed by the handler under the instructions of a Judge to a placed dummy that has not been seen by either dog or handler. Then find the ‘blind dummy’ and return it to the handler, hopefully with the minimum amount of interference/help from the handler.
Test 4: two marked dummies – after seeing two dummies thrown a Judge indicates which dummy he would like the dog to pick first. Once that retrieve is successfully back with the handler the Judge may ask the handler to send the dog for the remaining dummy.
There are many variations of the above and many different scenarios. Just how difficult they are depends on the level of the Working Test you enter.
Levels of Working Tests
As a beginner you should either aim for a Puppy Working Test if your dog is young enough or the entry level Working Test - Novice Dog/Novice Handler, or both even. They are specifically tailored for those with little experience or novice and young dogs. The types of tests set up on the day are less taxing and the marking more generous. Once your experience grows then you may like to move up to more difficult Working Tests, such as Novice or Open Working Tests.
In summary, the levels of tests offered by most Gundog Clubs/Societies are as follows:
Puppy: Confined to dogs over 6 months of age and under 18 months of age on the day of the Test.
Special Puppy: Confined to KC registered dogs from 6 months of age to no older than 24 months on the day of the test, the age range being set by the Club, so it can vary.
Novice Dog/Novice Handler: Not to have won a 1st in a Novice Dog/Novice Handler Gundog Working Test, 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any Novice Gundog Working Test or Any award in an Open Working Test or Field Trial held in accordance with KC regulations.
Veteran: Open to KC registered dogs aged 8 years and over on the day to the test.
Novice: Confined to KC registered dogs which have not gained a COM or higher award at a field trial or 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Open Working Test or 1st in any Novice test held in accordance with KC regulations.
Intermediate: Confined to KC registered dogs, not to have been placed 1st in an Open test or to have won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any field trial.
Open: Open to all KC registered dogs however in the event of a large entry, preference may be given to dogs which have gained an award or COM in a field trial or been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a Open working test or a 1st in any test run in accordance with KC regulations.
When am I ready to do a Working Test?
This is a hard question to answer. Sometimes it’s a case of just giving it a go. What are worth bearing in mind though are the following skill sets you and your dog should’ve achieved:
- Steadiness - your dog will be off lead during each test. So you must be able to control your dog at all times off lead, whether by your side or at a distance.
- Retrieving – obviously it goes without saying that your dog must be able to retrieve, but in addition to this ideally retrieve any article, e.g. a dummy, to your hand without dropping (commonly known as spitting) the dummy.
- Gunshot – often starter pistols are used in Working Tests so your dog will need to be comfortable with this.
- Good basics in place – so such things as off lead heelwork, sit and stay at a distance and out of sight, building up to being able to stop your dog at a distance if necessary and also direct it left and right.
- Water work – many tests involve retrieves out of water, so a dog that is happy to swim is a must.
- Jumping – your dog may have to retrieve a dummy the other side of a fence for example.
Who wins/loses Working Tests?
A dog that retrieves quickly; hunts well; is steady to dummies being thrown and guns fired and requires minimum input from the handler is likely to do very well in a Working Test. A dog that ‘runs in’ i.e. goes to retrieve before being instructed by a Judge to do so; fails to retrieve a dummy or even the correct dummy, will likely score zero points. A dog that completes the test successfully but has required a good deal of help from the handler to do so will in turn score middling points.
At the end of the day, everyone’s scores are added up and the dog and handler with the highest overall score and with no zero’s wins. Sometimes two or more dogs may score the same. In this case a ‘run off’ is organised. A ‘run off’ is basically another quick test where all those dogs with the same score are pitted against each other in turn. The Judges will decide from this which of the dogs is worthy of first place etc.
What if I do really badly?
There is no shame in doing badly. We’ve all been there. On my first Working test I scored three zero’s in a row but I came away feeling really positive. I had gleamed a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses and also been privy to some really helpful advice thanks to friendly competitors and Judges. Whether you win or lose the day is just as rewarding and fun and there’s always another Working Test round the corner to have a crack at. Rest assured you will not be the only one scoring zeros that day. In any case you may do extremely well.
Where can I find my nearest Working tests?
Use the Kennel Club Directory to find the nearest Clubs/Societies to you. Contact suitable Clubs and they will able to inform you of their list of events for the year and how to enter.
Other things I need to know
In order to compete your dog needs to be registered with the Kennel Club. There are some Clubs/Societies that will let you run your dog in Working Tests regardless but as ‘Not For Competition’ (NFC). So whilst you will never be in the placings you can still enter and enjoy the day.
You do not need to be a member of the Club/Society to enter a Working test. Although members typically pay a little less entry fee e.g. £6 as opposed to non members e.g. £10 and if space is limited then preference is given to members.
Bring lunch, plenty of water for your dog and wet weather gear. As Working Tests are run throughout the day in the countryside, facilities for you and your dog are virtually non existent! There will be lots of periods of hanging around whilst you wait your turn, don’t be discouraged by this though as these present excellent opportunities for you to talk to fellow competitors and make new friends/contacts. There may also be lots of walking between the different tests, so remember comfortable and practical country footwear.
Lastly, will I enjoy it?
Hugely, yes. There is no doubt that the first one or two Working Tests can be a little nerve racking but there is nothing quite as satisfying for you and your dog than knowing you have achieved and survived a whole day of working tests. Be warned though, Working Tests have a reputation of bringing out the competitive side of you and your dog, sometimes one you didn’t even know existed. They are also hugely addictive and not just for you but your dog also. Enjoy!
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