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Is my dog ready?
This grade seeks to
establish that the retriever is able to mark and
retrieve with confidence on land and in water, and
is developing his memory. The dog is required to
enter and hunt effectively in moderate cover, and
to co-operate at all times with his handler.
This Grade also tests that the basics of directional
control have been established, with some simple
blind retrieves.
The test is in two parts:
obedience and retrieving. The exact set-up
may vary and will depend on the topography of the
assessor's test ground. The dog will be off-lead for
the duration of the test. Dummies will be hand
thrown and accompanied by a single shot from a
starting pistol. Cover will be deep enough to
conceal the dummy but free from very harsh or prickly vegetation. Check below
to find out just what is required.
Obedience
Section One -
Heelwork::
The dog
must be in acceptable heel position at all times
during the test, close to and alongside the handler
and despite minor distractions. ‘About turns’ and
changes in direction will be required. The handler
will be required to ‘heel’ the dog past an
assistant, to remain at heel whilst the assistant
rolls a ball or dummy across the path of the dog and
handler ( 10 to 15 yards from the dog), and past
dummies lying on the ground The assessor may
incorporate heelwork into the other aspects of the
tests as he sees fit, he or she will record the dog
correctly completing neat left and right turns, and
at least two 180 degree about turns without losing
the correct heel position at any time.
Section Two - Sit and Stay:
The ‘stay’
will be four minutes in duration. During this four
minutes that dog will be tested as follows:
The order
in which these distractions are presented is at the
discretion of the assessor.
Section Three - The stop: The dog must stop quickly to whistle whilst
hunting the area of fall as follows:
An
assistant will throw a mark at 25 yards from and in
clear view of the ‘dog at heel’. The handler will
turn the dog and walk away whilst the assistant
removes the dummy. The assessor will ask the
handler to send the dog to the area of fall,
and to stop him there by whistle.
Section Four - Recall:
There are
two recalls.
The dog
should return directly to the handler when recalled
and on arrival return to the heel
position without delay.
Each obedience section is worth 20 marks -
total 80
Retrieving
Section One - Marking, memory, nose &
persistence
Marked
retrieves:
-
Two
singles mark on land at 70 – 80 yards. To land
in cover* concealed from view as defined above,
and run along a guideline such as a hedge/fence
or path.
-
A
straightforward water mark at up to 50 yards,
the dog to retrieve from the surface of the
water.
The dog will be scored for accurate marking &
lining, effective persistent hunting, holding the
area of fall, style/speed, and delivery.
Section
Two - Directional Control
Blind retrieves:
Handling will be tested with two simple short blinds
as follows
Handler to
give directions from a distance of ten yards from
the dog. Blinds will be set up using visual
guidelines such as a fence or barrier.
Each of the five
retrieves is worth 20 marks - total 100T
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