CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules & Regulations

The purpose of a retriever field trial is to determine the relative merits of retrievers in the field and to test both the natural and trained abilities desired in a hunting retriever. Field Trials showcase and improve the retriever breeds by identifying the dogs which best demonstrate the desired abilities of a hunting retriever. Tests should be held in a natural hunting terrain and should be designed to test and separate the competing dogs with the dogs giving the best performances on that particular day being awarded placement. All dogs running in the trial should be given the opportunity to run as many of the tests as time and circumstances allow and if completing the tests in a satisfactory manner, shall be awarded certificates of merit.

Eligible breeds: all breeds of Retrievers.

(“Retriever” means Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly-coated Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Irish Water Spaniels and Standard Poodles)

The Junior Stake is for dogs 6 months of age and not exceeding 2 years of age on the day
of the trial at which they are being run.

A “reasonable” degree of steadiness and general obedience are the requirements in the Junior
stake. Marking ability and style constitute the most important factors for placings in the Junior.
Blind retrieves are not required in the Junior stake.

Usually retrieves are limited to single marks and double marks. The most common Junior test
would be a double with the guns remaining visible. Only on rare occasions judges have required
retrieves of marks from which gunners retired (hide) after the bird has been shot. Also on rare
occasions judges have required the retrieving of triple marks. There are usually four series, or
tests, with two series being run on land and two series on water.

In order to receive the CKC Title of "Junior Field Trial Retriever" (JFTR), a dog must have placed in
3 CKC approved Junior stakes and acquired 5 points.

* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules & Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.

The Qualifying Stake is for dogs at least 6 months of age that have never won 1st , 2nd , 3rd , 4th
or a Certificate of Merit in an Open, Limited or Special All-Age Stake, nor a 1st , 2nd , 3rd , 4th in
an Amateur All-Age Stake nor have won 5 1 st s in Qualifying Stakes.

The most common marking tests in a Qualifying Stake are triple retrieves with all guns visible,
even though retired gunners (who hide after the bird is shot) are often used. Blind retrieves are
also required in the Qualifying Stake, although abilities acquired through training are of less
importance in the Qualifying Stake than in those carrying championship points.

The status recognized as “Qualifying All-Age” allows a dog to be eligible to run a “Limited All-Age
Stake”, which, at some field trials with large entries, is an “Open All-Age Stake” that ‘limits’ the
entry to “Qualified All-Age” dogs. A dog placing first or second in a Qualifying Stake is recognized
as “Qualified All-Age”. ( A dog may also become “Qualified All-Age” by receiving a Judges Award
of Merit or better in a major stake.)

In order to receive the CKC Title "Qualified Field Trial Retriever" (QFTR), a dog must have
acquired 10 points in Qualifying stakes with 5 starters and have placed first at least once or have
placed in an All Age stake or have obtained a Certificate of Merit in an Open, Limited or Special All
Age stake.

* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules & Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.

The Amateur All-Age stake is for dogs at least 6 months of age that are handled by a person
who is an Amateur as determined by the Field Trial Committee.

Championship points earned toward the Amateur Field Championship are awarded in the Amateur
All-Age Stake and the performance requirements are basically the same as in the Open All-Age
Stake. The main difference between the two stakes is that only amateur handlers are allowed to
handle dogs in the Amateur All-Age Stake, whereas professionals and amateurs may handle dogs
in the Open All-Age Stake.

Trial-giving clubs have the option of holding an Amateur All-Age or an Owner-Handler Amateur All-
Age. In a regular Amateur All-Age Stake, the dog may be handled by any amateur handler. In an
Owner-Handler Amateur All-Age Stake, the dog may be handled only by the registered owner (and
certain relatives), and only if the owner (or relative) is an amateur.

In order to receive the CKC Title "Amateur Field Trial Champion” (AFTCH) a dog must win the
National Amateur Retriever Championship stake or acquire 10 points in All Age stakes with 8
qualified starters and have placed first at least once in an All Age stake.

* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules & Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.

The Open All-Age Stake is for dogs at least 6 months of age.

Championship points are awarded in the Open All-Age Stake, which is open to all retrievers
eligible for a CKC licensed retriever field trial. Tests consist of demanding marks and blinds and
only accomplished retrievers of extraordinary natural and trained abilities usually excel in the Open All-Age Stake.

Tests commonly consist of triple or quadruple marks, with and without retired guns (hidden after
the bird is shot), and single, double or triple blind retrieves. Dogs must be steady and under control at all times. The Open All-Age Stakes commonly begin with a marking test on land followed by a land test with at least one blind retrieve. Dogs “called back” after the land tests are usually required to successfully perform a blind retrieve on the water which would be followed by a marking test on the water.

In order to receive the CKC Title "Field Trial Champion” (FTCH) a dog must win the National
Retriever Championship stake or acquire 10 points in Open, Limited or Special All Age stakes with 8 qualified starters and have placed first in at least one of these stakes.

* Please refer to the CKC Retriever Field Trial Rules; Regulations for detailed information
regarding this stake.

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.