Grade Three

Intermediate Retriever 

the field test

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WHAT'S NEW

AT GRADE THREE?

• Stop whistle at a distance

• More complex heelwork

• Blind retrieves

• Retrieving from water

• Gunfire

 OBJECTIVES

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. 

PASS REQUIREMENTS

Each dog will be required to pass a single field test at Grade Three in order to be awarded the title Intermediate Retriever.  

SET-UP

The test 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 and free from harsh or prickly vegetation

OBEDIENCE

Part A is in four sections

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:

• Steadiness to fall  -   an assistant will throw two dummies within 10 yards of the seated dog.  The handler to be at least 20 yards from the dog at this time.
• Handler out of sight  -  The handler must be out of sight for at least 10 seconds during the course of the stay

• Handler distance  -  the handler must walk 50 yards from the dog at some point during the stay,  the dog should be able to see the handler clearly during this exercise

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.

• After the stay ( 50 yards )
• After the stop ( 25 yards)

 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

Part B consists of five retrieves in  two sections

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

• Back  30 yards  -  single retrieve
• Either a Left  or a  right  20 yards  - single retrieve

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 100Total possible points for the retrieves 60