Notes on AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds

Notes on AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds R.L. SanfordOctober 15, 2009

Purpose: Evaluate a dog’s natural hunting ability and training under conditions consistent withthe demands of actual hunting. All judging done by approved Judges based on the published AKC standard.

Dogs: Typically AKC registered pointing breeds six months old or older. Two dogs are tested togetherin a brace. Assignment is done at random as much as possible. No bitches in season.

Courses: Single course with or without a birdfield. Birdfields must be five acres or larger with good cover.

Running Time: Minimum of 15 minutes (but not more than 30 minutes) required for each Junior brace with a minimum of 6 minutes in the bird field. For a Senior brace the minimum is 30 minutes (not to exceed 45 minutes) with a minimum of 8 minutes in the bird field. The premium will state the running time.

Birds: Typically quail but also pheasants, chukars and/or pigeons or other upland game species. Minimum of two birds are released per brace. If a birdfield is used, a minimum of two birds are released in the bird field. The backcourse and bird field are to be planted to maintain a consistent number of birds.

Qualification: Twojudges score each dog. The test is not competitive. No ranking of dogs is done. Junior Hunters are scored in four categories. Senior Hunters are scored in six categories.

Scoring: Each category is scored individually from 0 to 10. To pass the test, a Junior Hunter must receive a total score of at least 28 with no individual category score below 5. A Senior Hunter or Master Hunter must receive a total score of at least 42 with no individual category score below 5. Judges may average their individual scores. The judges must agree whether a dog has passed or failed the test.

Junior Hunter Test Standards-Four Categories

Hunting /

Bold and independent with a keen desire to hunt and a fast, useful pattern of running.
A dog that seldom leaves its handler’s side, needs constant direction where to hunt or is directed into a bird(s) cannot receive a qualifying score.
If a dog is out of sight excessively long to diminish its usefulness as a hunting companion, this should be reflected in the score.
Breed differences in pace, range and style should be considered.

Bird Finding /

Use the nose effectively to find game. At least one bird must be found to qualify.
The score is influenced by how the dog uses the wind and cover to locate birds.
A dog that stumbles upon a single bird by accident cannot receive a qualifying score.

Pointing /

Demonstrate an intense point that pinpoints the location of bird(s).
Hold the point until the handler gets within shotgun range and fires a blank pistol.
To pass, must point at least 50% of those birds encountered that can be pointed.
A “flash” point is not considered as pointing. No credit for steadiness to wing or shot.
Complete lack of intensity will not result in a passing score.

Trainability /

Reasonable obedience to command must be demonstrated.
A dog may be restrained (collared) to prevent interference with another dog on point.
A gun-shy dog will not receive a passing score.
An unprovoked attack will result in a disqualification and a report to the AKC.

Senior Hunter Test Standards-Six Categories

Some handlers feel the step from Junior Hunter to Senior Hunter is more demanding than the step from Senior Hunter to Master Hunter. Whereas the Junior Hunter test emphasizes natural ability, the Senior Hunter test requires demonstration of trained skills. These skills are further refined for the Master Hunter test.

Hunting /

Must show all of the attributes expected of a Junior hunting dog, but must be scored with less tolerance.
Expect a senior hunting dog to demonstrate more maturity in its application to the field.

Bird Finding /

Must show all of the attributes expected of a Junior hunting dog, but must be scored with less tolerance.
Expect a senior hunting dog to produce quality finds under the prevailing conditions.

Pointing /

Must be steady to wing on all pointed birds and remain until the shot or until release.
In any situation requiring firing of a blank, the Senior dog must have adequately demonstrated steadiness to wing prior to a blank being fired.
Pointing style and the ability to pinpoint birdsinfluences the score more than with a Junior hunting dog.

Trainability /

Expect evidence of training in how a Senior hunting dog responds to commands.
Must stop on a wild flushed bird and may be commanded to do so. Must demonstrate steadiness to wing. May be collared away from a stop to flush.

Retrieving /

Must retrieve to within one or two steps of the handler.
The bird must be edible. The dog will not qualify if it has rendered the bird not fit for consumption. Both Judges must agree the damage was caused by the dog.

Honoring /

Must honor its brace mate when on point. The handler can command the honor once the dog has seen or acknowledged its brace mate on point.
The dog must be restrained (collared) by the handler to prevent interference with the dog on point when the bird is flushed.
The dog will not receive a passing score if it steals point or refuses to honor.

Note: If a Senior hunting dog has passing scores including pointing at least one bird, but has not had an opportunity for a retrieve or honor, that dog may be called back to demonstrate its skills. During the retrieve call back, it must remain steady until the shot.

Master Hunter Test Standards-Six Categories

Hunting /

Must show all of the attributes expected of a Senior hunting dog, but must exhibit these abilities in the more exceptional manner expected of a truly finished and seasoned hunting companion.

Bird Finding /

Must show all of the attributes expected of a Senior hunting dog, but must exhibit these abilities in the more exceptional manner expected of a truly finished and seasoned hunting companion.

Pointing /

Must be steady to wing and shot on all birds and remain until release. Positive steadiness must be demonstrated prior to release for the retrieve.
All attributes of a Senior dog must be demonstrated, however a dog that breaks cannot receive a Qualifying score.
A quiet and infrequent verbal caution can be given by the handler but no intimidation or physical restraint is permitted.

Trainability /

All attributes of a Senior dog must be demonstrated, however the elements of handling and gun response are viewed more stringently in a Master hunting dog.
Must stop on a wild flushed bird without a command to do so. If a command is required, no qualifying score can be given.
Must be under control at all times with a minimum of noise and hacking.

Retrieving /

All attributes of a Senior dog must be demonstrated, the dog must retrieve promptly, tenderly and absolutely to hand.
If the handler assists the dog by walking toward the fallen bird, a disqualifying score may be given.

Honoring /

All attributes of a Senior dog must be demonstrated, however a Master hunting dog must honor on all occasions encountered without being commanded to do so. The honor must continue throughout the entire flush, shot and retrieve.
A dog requiring restraint, either physical or verbal cannot receive a Qualifying score. However, the handler can call the dog into the vicinity of a dog and point, and once the dog has established the honor a quiet and infrequent verbal caution may be given.
No intimidation or physical restraint shall be permitted.
The dog will not receive a passing score if it steals point.

Note: If a Master hunting dog has passing scores including pointing at least one bird, but has not had an opportunity for a retrieve or honor, that dog may be called back to demonstrate its skills. The judging criteria during a callback are the same as when in the field. Only Official Gunners may shoot during a call back.

Note: During the testing of a Master dog, the handler is expected to carry an empty shotgun or an “imitation” long-barreled gun at all times. Only the Official Gunners are allowed to shoot. However, the handler is expected to mount his gun with both hands and follow the flight of each flushed bird that has been pointed.

Reference: AKC Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds (amended February 2009)