MARKS ALLOCATED FOR OBEDIENCE  -  20

• HEEL 1: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel without a lead from the line to the 40-yard sit marker. HPR heelwork is not expected to be precise. But the dog must be clearly under control and not  forging ahead of the the handler. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler, or poor control of the dog. Maximum points for the first  heel - 3.

• SIT & STAY: The handler is required to sit the dog at the 40-yard marker with a single sit command and to return to the 'line' without the dog. The dog must remain seated for two minutes.   Points will be lost if the dog stands up, or creeps. No further commands may be given.  Maximum points for the stay - 10.

• HEEL 2 (with distraction): The handler will return to the dog and heel the dog 40 yards back to the start line.  As the dog and handler approach the Assessor,  a dummy will  be thrown at right angles to the dog.   The dog must remain at heel throughout this distraction, ignoring the distraction dummy, and with heelwork standards as above.  Maximum points for the second heel - 7

MARKS ALLOCATED FOR FIELD SKILLS  -  80

Skills under examination are: Hunting, retrieving, and response to whistle commands

• CONTROLLED HUNTING: For the main body of the field skills section, the dog will hunt in front of the handler whilst the handler walks forwards for a distance of up to 100 yards.  The dog must demonstrate enthusiasm and appropriate range/coverage of the ground.  The handler must demonstrate  control over the dog with appropriate use of the whistle, no verbal commands are permitted.  The terrain will consist of moderate cover.  Maximum points for quartering/ground coverage - 10.  Maximum points for speed/style  5 

• RECALL: The dog will be tested on the recall whistle once during hunting on the direction of the assessor. Maximum points for recall - 5

• STOP WHISTLE: The dog will be tested on the stop whistle twice during hunting, each stop to be followed by a dummy throw once the dog is stationary. (i.e. this is not a 'drop to fall' test, and the assistant will wait until the dog is seated before throwing the dummy. But steadiness to fall is required and will be scored). Maximum points for each stop - 5 plus maximum points for remaining steady to fall 5 each

• RETRIEVING :  Three marked retrieves to be carried out, and one simple blind.  The first two retrieves will take place during the hunting section, after the dog has demonstrated steadiness to fall.  The assessor will direct the handler to go out to the dog after each stop whistle test and once steadiness to fall is demonstrated.  The dog will be sent for each of the marks from the handler's side (remote handling is not expected at this grade).  Distance of the marks will not exceed 40 yards.  Delivery to hand is essential. The third mark will be a simple water mark during which the dog must demonstrate a willingness to swim a short distance.  The final retrieve to be a simple blind (along a field edge or fenceline).  The dog to be sent in every case,  from the handler's side. Maximum points for each retrieve - 10

Summary of Points for field skills allocated as follows:

Hunting and control  -  maximum 40 points

• Quartering pattern/ground coverage  -  10 points

• Response to the whistle (stop/turn/recall)  - 15 points

• Breed appropriate speed/style  -  5 points

• Steadiness to fall  - 10 points

Retrieving - maximum 40 points

• Each retrieve -  10 points