for the love of pointing dogs
water Dog tests
Water Dog Tests Explained
The purpose of the water tests for pointing breeds is to provide an opportunity to demonstrate a dog’s ability to retrieve from water. These tests gauge the natural hunting abilities for which they were originally bred, against standards of performance.
Water Dog Junior (39-03-19)
Water Entry. For optimum performance, the dog shall exhibit no hesitation, requiring no encourage- ment or coaxing when entering the water to perform the retrieve.
Marking Ability. Marking or memory of falls is of paramount importance. Ability to mark does not necessarily imply pinpointing the fall, but a dog should proceed directly to the area of the fall and establish the retrieve. For optimum performance, the dog should swim in a direct straight line.
Retrieve. Dog should quickly do a straight out and straight back, taking the bird with a single grasp and do a 180° turn without any hesitation.
Delivery. As long as the bird is received by the han- dler who must remain in the circle, the dog can be outside the circle when delivering the bird. For full marks, the dog is required to enter the circle with the bird.
Control. For a perfect score, the dog requires no commands other than the send off and delivery.
Reaction to Shot. A perfect score would be given to a dog that exhibits alertness and eagerness at the sound of gunfire. A passing grade will be awarded to the dog that softens but does not bolt. Gun shyness will be an automatic failure.
5 minutes is a reasonable amount of time for the dog to perform the one bird retrieve required for the Water Dog Junior Test.
Water Dog (39-03-19)
Water Entry. For optimum performance, the dog shall exhibit no hesitation, requiring no encourage- ment or coaxing when entering the water to perform the 2 bird retrieves.
Marking Ability. Marking or memory of falls is of paramount importance. Ability to mark does not necessarily imply pinpointing the falls, but a dog should proceed directly to the area of the falls and establish the retrieves. For optimum performance the dog should swim in a direct straight line. Dog requires minimum or no direction for second bird.
Retrieve. Dog should quickly take the birds with a single grasp and do a 180 degree turn without any hesitation. Once the first bird is retrieved, the han- dler should send the dog off for the second retrieve.
Delivery. For a perfect score, dog quickly and ten- derly delivers both birds to hand within the circle. A dog that retrieves tenderly within hand range in any manner will receive a passing score, provided he has entered the circle.
Control. For a perfect score, the dog requires no commands other than the send off and delivery. No repetition of commands with either retrieve. Dog is steady to release on both birds.
Reaction to Shot. A perfect score would be given to a dog that exhibits alertness and eagerness at the sound of gunfire. A passing grade will be awarded to the dog that softens but does not bolt. Gun shyness will be an automatic failure.
10 minutes is a reasonable amount of time for the dog to perform the 2 bird retrieves required for the Water Dog Test.
Water Dog Excellent (39-03-19)
Water Entry. For optimum performance, the dog shall exhibit no hesitation, requiring no encourage- ment or coaxing when entering the water to perform the retrieves.
Marking Ability. Marking or memory of falls is of paramount importance. Ability to mark does not necessarily imply pinpointing the falls, but a dog
should proceed directly to the area of the fall and establish the retrieves.
Retrieve. Dog should quickly take the birds with a single grasp and do a 180 degree turn without any hesitation. Once the first bird is retrieved, the han- dler should send the dog off for the second and third retrieves.
Delivery. For a perfect score, dog quickly and ten- derly delivers all 3 birds to hand within the circle. Dog enters the circle and releases birds immediately on command. Handler stays in one spot.
Control. Dog requires no commands other than release and delivery. No repetition of commands with all retrieves. Dog is steady to release on all birds.
15 minutes is a reasonable amount of time for the dog to perform the 3 bird retrieves required for the first portion of the Water Dog Excellent Test, plus 5 minutes for the Blind Retrieve, for a total of 20 minutes for both tests.
