UTILITY GUNDOG Working Test

To obtain a pass in the Natural Ability Tests for Utility Gundogs, a dog must successfully complete a variety of activities similar to these listed in the five sections below. This test has been formulated for the Hunt, Point & Retrieve (HPR) Breeds which the Weimaraner & Weimaraner Long Hair belongs to. It also includes breeds such as the German Shorthair Pointer, Brittany, German Wirehair Pointer, Hungarian Vizla, Italian Spinoni, & Munsterlander. 

Conformation:

Dogs will be judged in conformation against the ANKC/FCI Standards for the breed. Dogs with disqualifying faults will not be able to obtain a pass. Neutered dogs who normally are not able to be judged in conformation, are able to participate.

Obedience:

Dogs will undertake a number of Obedience activities that include:

Heeling: on lead to show that the dog is under control.

Dog Association: This is a group exercise  which is completed on lead. The dog and handler weave in and out of a line of dogs and handlers who are placed two metres apart. The dogs must show no sign of aggression or undue timidity or shyness.

Recall: In this activity the handler will leave the dog in a sit or drop position and walk 20 metres away and turn and face the dog. On the signal from the judge, the handler will call the dog. Dog to either go straight to heel and sit, or sit in front of handler and be brought to heel.

Sit/Drop Stay: In this group activity dogs will be left in a sit/drop two metres apart. The handlers will leave their dog and walk 20 metres out in front, about turn and walk back towards the dog and continue past their dog for ten metres – about turn and return to their dog. The dog must remain in place for entire exercise.

Retrieving:

In this section the dog must clearly demonstrate a retrieving instinct, which is usually shown in an eager pickup. During the retrieves a simulated shot must be fired near the dog to determine whether the dog is “gun-shy” and show steadiness to the sound of the “gun”

There are two components to this test – a land retrieve and a water retrieve. In both retrieves the dog will be judged to determine whether - it has a hard or soft mouth, if it is eager to swim & steady to shot. These retrieves are done over a distance of up to 50 Metres.

Field:

The Field component checks the dogs desire to hunt. This is the single most important working characteristic of a hunting dog. The dog will need to demonstrate its’ eagerness to range and search for game and in its manner of hunting. The dog will need to show that it has covered all the available ground in such a manner as to produce game for the gun and not merely aimless running. The dog will need to scent point with a staunch stance at a minimum of two out of four caged  birds  to gain a pass in this section

Trailing:

This shows the ability of the dog to trail wounded game on lead or in a harness. This is an important characteristic of a Utility Gundog.   The dog must actually trail the scent replicating a wounded game along a pre set trail over a distance up to 300 metres and find the game.