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Is my dog ready?
To gain the title Proficient
Retriever, your dog will need to pass the Grade Four
field test. To pass the test, your dog will
need to be able to retrieve from
across water and from heavy cover.
He will be required to
retrieve marks at distances of up to 100 yards
including a double mark. Blind retrieves are
increased in length to 60 yards. Steadiness
and delivery to hand are essential. The grade four
dog must watch quietly whilst another dog retrieves
and will be accustomed to shot.
The dog must remain off
lead and under control throughout the test, and
should remain at heel when not retrieving. If
you think your dog is ready read the requirement
details below and
click here to enter the test
Marked Retrieves
LONG MARK: A test of the dog's
ability to mark at distance. A single mark on
land at 80-100 yards. Dummy to fall in light cover.
MARK ACROSS
WATER: A test of the dog’s ability to enter
water, then re-enter and swim while carrying a
retrieve. A single short mark to fall a maximum of
40 yards distant from the dog, on the other side of
a small area of water. The dog must swim and
retrieve from the far shore. The mark to be 5-10
yards from the water’s edge, and the dog to be sent
from at least 5 yards from the water’s edge on the
opposite bank. The swim need not be more than a few
metres, but the dog must swim.
DOUBLE MARK:
Two marks to be thrown. One a short mark (40 yards)
into heavy cover, the other a longer mark (70 yards)
into lighter cover. minimum of 90 degrees between
the two. Dog to be sent for each mark in turn, after
both have been thrown. Once both marks have been
thrown, the assessor will direct the handler to send
the dog to the mark chosen by the assessor. On the
dog’s return, the handler will then send them for
the second mark.
The dog will be scored for
steadiness at heel, speed/enthusiasm, accurate
marking, effective/persistent hunting, holding the
area of fall, and retrieving style/delivery.
Each mark is worth 20 points.
Blind retrieves
LONG
BLIND: A single dummy at 60
yards.
SHORT BLIND WITH DISTRACTION: Dog
to be sent for a single dummy at around 30 yards
distant. A second distraction mark to the thrown at
a minimum of 90 degrees. Only the blind is to be
picked, not the distraction.
HUNT
AN AREA: Three dummies to be dropped in advance in
deep cover at 20 yards. Dog to find two of them.
Maximum time allowed, 5 minutes.
Area to be marked for the handler’s benefit
by a flag or pole.
Blinds are listed in the
recommended order of running, however, the final
decision is at the assessors’ discretion. The dog to
be sent from the handler’s side for each blind.
Each blind is worth 20 points.
Ready to
enter? Click here |
