Hunt Test - UKC Retriever Hunt Tests

UKC Retriever Hunt Tests

The UKC, in conjunction with hunt test events held under the organizational auspices of the Hunting Retriever Club Inc. (HRC) and it’s affiliated regional clubs, awards the titles of; Started Hunting Retriever (SHR), Hunting Retriever (HR), Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) and Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRC). There is also an Upland Hunter (UH) title awarded to dogs that pass a separate and distinct upland hunting test. To gain these titles there are four levels of testing where dogs earn points toward these specific titles. Each of these test are of increasing difficulty and require increasing refinement in skill level that a hunting retriever must demonstrate while under judgment. These test levels are the; Started, Seasoned and Finished tests which are offered by regional HRC clubs. The final and most difficult level of test is called the “Grand” which is held twice a year by the HRC Inc. where all dogs that have previously earned the title of HRCH can be tested for the GRHRC title. As mentioned previously there is a separate upland hunter test that is also offered by local HRC clubs. These titles, once earned, are used as a prefix to the dogs registered name in the UKC.

A typical HRC hunt test will be a one day event that is divided into two series of evaluations; these are called the land series and the water series. In each series the dogs are evaluated for their; natural retrieving desire, memory and marking ability and obedience to their handlers commands.

These HRC hunt tests try to simulate as closely as possible actual hunting situations where the dogs are tested at realistic hunting ranges with the handlers wearing appropriate hunting attire and demonstrating safe gun handling practices while handling and firing a shotgun loaded with blanks called poppers. Also the bird throwers, known as “Bird Boys”, are hidden from view of the dog under test.