CKC Hunt Test Rules and Regulations for Retrievers, Barbet, Irish Water Spaniels & Standard Poodles

The purpose of a hunt test for Retrievers, Barbet, Irish Water Spaniels and Standard Poodles is to test the merits of, and evaluate the abilities of these dogs in the field in order to determine their suitability and ability as hunting companions. Hunt test should simulate as nearly as possible, the conditions met in a true hunting situation. The test allows a dog to demonstrate these characteristics and continue breed improvement of these qualities.

Eligible breeds: all breeds of Retrievers, Barbet, Irish Water Spaniels and Standard Poodles.

The Junior Hunt test is for dogs at least 6 months of age.

In Junior Hunt Tests dogs shall be tested on 4 single marks: 2 on the land and 2 on water.

  • Test distances shall not exceed 73.1 meters (80 yards).

  • A leash, line or slip cord may be used to steady the dog at the line.

  • No dog shall wear a collar while making a retrieve.

  • Dogs must deliver to hand, failure to do so will result in a fail.

  • Dogs that return to a previous fall will be failed.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Junior Hunter" (JH), a dog must have a record of having acquired qualifying scores in the Junior Hunt Test in 3 CKC approved hunt tests.

* Please refer to the CKC Hunt Test Rules & Regulations for detailed information regarding this stake.

The Senior Hunt test is for dogs at least 6 months of age.

In Senior Hunter Hunt Tests dogs shall be tested in a minimum of 5 hunting situations, which include:

  • 1 land blind.

  • 1 water blind

  • The blinds may be run as a double blind 1 placed on land and 1 placed on water.

  • 1 double land mark

  • 1 double water mark.

  • An upland hunting test

The judges shall establish distances on the land and water but no retrieve should normally exceed 73.1 meters (80 yards) also no marks should be thrown inside 18.3 meters (20 yards) from the line. A Senior Hunt dog must retrieve to hand. Dogs shall be required to honor a working dog at least once. A diversion shot(s) shall be used. Diversion birds shall not be used.

Dogs that return to a previous fall will be failed.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Senior Hunter" (SH), a dog must have a record of having acquired qualifying scores in the Senior Hunt Test in 5 CKC approved hunt tests. Or in the case of a dog that has been recorded by CKC as a Junior Hunter, that dog will be recorded as a Senior Hunter after having acquired qualifying scores in the Senior Hunt Test at 4 CKC approved hunt tests.

* Please refer to the CKC Hunt Test Rules & Regulations for detailed information regarding this stake.

The Master Hunt test is for dogs at least 6 months of age.

Dogs shall be tested in a minimum of 5 hunting situations as follows:

  • Multiple land marks

  • Multiple water marks.

  • An upland hunting test with flush.

  • A land blind (s)

  • A water blind (s).

There shall be at least 3 series. Diversion birds and/or diversion shots must be used at least once. The word multiple means more than one, although triple marks are encouraged. Natural hazards, obstacles, hunting equipment and implements should be utilized to a somewhat greater degree than in the Senior Hunt Test. A Master Hunt dog must honour a working dog at least once. The judges shall establish test distances but no retrieve should normally exceed 91.4 meters (100 yards) and under no circumstance shall exceed 114.3 meters (125 yards). A Master Hunter must be steady and must deliver to hand. Poison birds may be used;the judges will determine whether or not the poison bird will be retrieved after the blind retrieve.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Master Hunter" (MH), a dog must have a record of having acquired qualifying scores in the Master Hunt Test at 6 CKC approved hunt tests. Or in the case of a dog that has been recorded by CKC as a Senior Hunter, that dog will be recorded as a Master Hunter after having acquired qualifying scores in the Master Hunt Test at 5 CKC approved hunt tests.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Grand Master Hunter" (GMH), a dog must have earned a “Master Hunter” title and acquire qualifying scores in the Master Hunt Test at an additional 10 CKC approved Hunt Tests or National Master Hunt Tests.

* Please refer to the CKC Hunt Test Rules & Regulations for detailed information regarding this stake.

CKC Working Certificate Test Rules & Regulations

The primary objective of the WC, WCI and WCX tests is to encourage the development and use of those natural abilities for which retrievers were originally bred. The tests provide a means to help determine future breeding stock, encourage retriever owners to develop their dogs’ natural abilities, and to have retrievers become more proficient as hunting partners. The tests are noncompetitive and those dogs that pass the tests to the satisfaction of the judges will be recorded as having basic work ability.

Eligible breeds: all breeds of Retrievers and Irish Water Spaniels, Poodles, Airedale Terriers and Barbets

The Working Certificate Test is for dogs at least 6 months of age.

In Working Certificate Tests dogs shall be tested on back to back single marks on land and back to back single marks on water.

  • Test distances shall be 45.7 to 68.5 meters (50 - 70 yards) on land and 22.9 - 36.6 meters (25  – 40 yards) on water.

  • A leash, line or slip cord may be used to steady the dog at the line.

  • No dog shall wear a collar while making a retrieve.

  • Dogs should deliver to hand and must bring the bird across the line.

  • Dogs cannot be handled.

  • Back to back singles run from the same line shall have an angle of not less than 90 degrees.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Working Certificate" (WC), a dog must pass 1 CKC approved Working Certificate test.

* Please refer to the CKC Working Certificate Test Rules & Regulations for detailed information regarding this stake.

The Working Certificate Intermediate Test is for dogs at least 6 months of age that have earned the title of WC.

In Working Certificate Intermediate Tests dogs shall be tested on a land double, an honour on the land test and a water double.

  • Test distances shall be approximately 68.6 meters (70 yards) on land and 36.6 - 45.7 meters (40 - 50 yards) on water.

  • The angle between the falls shall not be less than 90 degrees.

  • Dogs must come to line off lead.

  • Dogs must deliver to hand.

  • Decoys will be used.

  • Honouring dogs will be required to sit and stay until the working dog has picked up its first mark or should have picked up its first mark.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Working Certificate Intermediate" (WCI), a dog must pass 1 CKC approved Working Certificate Intermediate test.

The Working Certificate Excellent Test is for dogs at least 6 months of age that have earned the title of WCI.

In Working Certificate Excellent Tests dogs shall be tested on a walk up with a land double or a land/water double, an honour on the walk up, a water double, a land blind and a water blind.

  • Test distances shall be about 91.4 meters (100 yards) for the first land mark thrown and 45.7 meters (50 yards) for the second land mark, up to 45.7 meters (50 yards) for the water marks, 13.7 meters (15 yards) for the walk up, 45.7 - 68.5 meters (50 - 75 yards) for the land blind and a maximum of 45.7 meters (50 yards) for the water blind.

  • The angle between the falls should not be less than 45 degrees on land 90 degrees on water.

  • Dogs must come to line off lead.

  • Dogs must deliver to hand.

  • Decoys will be used.

  • Dogs must honour until the working dog has picked up its first mark or should have picked up its fist mark.

  • Both handlers shall carry unloaded guns or replicas during the honour on the walk-up.

  • A shot will be discharged at the line by the designated gunner when the dog is on line and before it is sent.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Working Certificate Excellent" (WCX), a dog must pass 1 CKC approved Working Certificate Excellent test.

* Please refer to the CKC Working Certificate Test Rules & Regulations for detailed information regarding this stake.