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Getting Started in Hunt Tests
| 1. |
Determine Your Dog's
Eligibility |
| |
To enter in an AKC hunt test, your
Brittany must be:
• AKC registered (individually, not just the dog's litter).
• Six months of age or older.
Females in season are not eligible to enter, or to be on hunt test
grounds. If you enter your female in a hunt test and she comes in
season before the day of the test, your entry fee can be reimbursed
if you supply the club with a veterinarian's note. |
| 2. |
Familiarize Yourself with the Regulations
for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds |
| |
The regulations are long and sometimes difficult for
a beginner to understand, but you must know them before you start
on the road to a hunting test title. If you have questions, contact
an experienced hunt test competitor and ask away! (Contact the Brittany
club nearest you for references.) |
| 3. |
Train Your Dog |
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The best way to learn how to earn hunting test titles
is to work with an experienced trainer/competitor near you. If there
is no one close enough to you, there are books and videos available
which will give you a good start (see our Reading list). In either case, this is a matter of learning by doing; you
will learn more every time you run your dog, so get our and work your
dog as often as you can, and visit as many hunt tests as possible! |
| 4. |
Find & Enter a Hunt Test |
| |
Visit the AKC
Website to search for upcoming hunt tests in your area. Contact
the hunt test chairman listed to request a premium list, which will
give you all the information on the hunt test, including an entry
form. |
| 5. |
What's Required at the Test |
| |
On the day of the Hunt Test, the
test club will provide a "running order" which will have
all the dogs entered in the test, and which brace they are to run
in. This will give you an idea of approximately when your dog should
run. The running order can be changed if scheduling demands, though,
so be prepared and pay attention to what's going on in the field.
When you arrive at the test location, you may check
in with the hunt test secretary or chairman to let them know you're
present. Your dog is allowed to wear a flat buckle or snap type
collar during the test, and you may approach the breakaway (area
where you will release your dog to begin the test) with your dog
on a lead. Once you are at the line, remove the lead, and lightly
hold your dog's collar until instructed to begin.
You're off! If your dog is running in a Junior Hunter
test, the test will normally be 15 minutes long (30 for Senior and
Master). Since you've reviewed the Regulations
for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds, you know what to
expect from the test, but you will inevitably encounter the unexpected,
so stay calm and have fun!
Scores will normally be available an hour or so after
your dog's brace is finished. Visit the hunt test secretary to receive
your dog's scoresheets, and rosette if he qualified! |
| 6. |
Get Your Dog's Title! |
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Each ability has categories that
receive a score, which the average must not be under 5.0 (you
could receive a "0" in a category and still qualify if the average
of the ability was a 5.0 or above). Those ability scores are
averaged and this will be your score for the test. That average
must be 7.0 or above for a qualifying score.
To become a Junior Hunter your dog needs four qualifying scores.
To become a Senior Hunter your dog needs five qualifying
scores, or four if the dog has already earned a Junior Hunter title.
To become a Master Hunter your dog needs six qualifying scores,
or five if the dog has already earned a Senior Hunter title. |
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