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*The Poodle Club of America has developed guidelines for clubs which will be holding WC/X tests. These guidelines include guidelines for the judges, for the club, and suggested form letters.
*In addition, PCA has revised and clarified the WC/X rules. *The world now has FOUR Standard Poodles with the UKC Hunting Retriever Champion title: 1. (Pie) HRCh C-Ch Bibelot's Silver Power Play UD MH WCX owned by Eileen Jaskowski 2. ( Bill) HRCH Mi-Ste's Meant To Be Bill JH WCX CGC owned by Dennis and Brenda Ryan 3. (Keen) HRCh UCD Avivim Peppita de Sergio VCD2 UD JH AX,AXJ WCX, owned by Dudley Fontaine (first bitch) 4. (Charlie) Int & UKC Ch HRCH UCD Call Me Ragtime Charlie UD RN MH AX AXJ AAD JHD WCX VCX CGC owned by Jacquelyn Taylor *The world now also has FIVE MH titled Standard Poodles: 1.(Pie) HRCh C-Ch Bibelot's Silver Power Play UD MH WCX owned by Eileen Jaskowski 2. (Nambe) Nambe's Lonetree MH, owned by Eileen Jaskowski 3. (Castor) Canadian OTCH, NAHRA SR Walnuthill Castor of Tudorose Canadian MH and WCX, AKC CGC and JH, PCA WCX, VIP VCX, Owned by Emily Cain 4. (Charlie) Int & UKC Ch HRCH UCD Call Me Ragtime Charlie UD RN MH MX AXJ AAD JHD WCX VCX CGC owned by Jacquelyn Taylor 5. (Mo) Lonetree's Eskimo Pie MH, owned by Eileen Jaskowski |
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AKC Retriever Hunt Test Events The Poodle Club Of America National Specialty announces it will host its first AKC Retriever Hunt Tests to be held Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, 2006. at Crop- Les Farm in Powellville, Maryland. The trial will include a Junior, Senior and for the first-time ever a Master level test. AKC Junior, Senior and Master Hunt Tests Judging Masters will be Sue Shaw of Perkasie, Pa., and Ted Finley of Dover, Del. The Master test will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 10 and will continue Sunday, June 11, if necessary. Judging the Junior and Senior levels will be Joanne Summers ,Allentown, PA., and Jeff Brown of Voorhees, N.J. The Junior and Senior Hunt tests will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 10. Sue Shaw is no stranger to hunting poodles. Sue judged the Working Certificate and Working Certificate Excellent tests at the 2005 National Specialty. Shaw, has owned and handled Curly-Coat Retrievers for over 15 years. She says she had so much fun last year; she is thrilled to return to judge the Master Level AKC Hunt Test event. She says she remembers when the Curly-Coats were first being shown at hunt tests, and says it's important to encourage new handlers to try field work with their dogs. We want handlers to try at the Specialty, there's no embarrassment here," she says. But cautions that the dogs do need prior training before entering the hunt tests. "It's unfair to your dog, if he doesn't know what to expect." Shaw said when the Curly-Coats were first involved they were very much like the poodles are today. Not very many handlers had a great deal of practice so they all began together. Proper training and instructions is necessary, however, says Shaw. At a hunt test there's No second chance, it's not as lenient as the WC/WCX tests can be. Shaw offered some tips for the new handlers. She says when you come to the line to watch the Test Dog, before you leave, "be sure to turn around." Look behind you so you can see what your dog sees from the field. "You want your dog to have every opportunity to be the best he can be". Shaw says she usually wears black gloves, which she believes gives her dog more contrast when giving him directions. Please note, handlers must wear camo or dark-colored clothing at the line. If you are in short sleeves the gloves give you an advantage and provide more contrast so the dog can see your directions more clearly.
Most important, she says, is to have fun! Be Prepared, Practice Is Key Handlers should be aware that the AKC Hunt Tests are not "just" a more difficult form of the WC and WCX certificates. Dogs need to be ready to demonstrate hunting skills beyond the WC and WCX and need prior training and experience with live birds. The AKC requires that live birds be used in all levels, often times requiring that a dog retrieve a "cripple." AKC Retriever Hunt Tests were designed to give the dog owner a good, basic hunting dog and provide a place to run and compete. Here the dog is not competing against the other entries, but against a "standard." This "standard" was established by AKC as a means of Dogs are judged in three divisions; Junior, Senior, and Master. Junior Hunting Tests Dogs shall be tested on four single marks, two on land and two on water. Dogs shall be steady but may be brought to the line on leash with a flat buckle collar. Dogs may be restrained gently with a slipcord, or held gently by the flat buckle collar until sent to retrieve. English slip leads, prong, choke and pinch-type collars are prohibited. Leashes, including short tabs, shall be removed before dogs are run. Senior Hunting Tests Dogs shall be tested in minimum of four hunting situations that shall include one land blind, one water blind (that may be run as a double bind on land and water), one double land mark, and one double water mark. There shall be at least one diversion shot and at least one of the hunting situations should include a walk-up. Master Hunting Tests Dogs shall be tested in a minimum of five hunting situations as follows: multiple land marks, multiple water marks, multiple marks on water and land, a land blind and a water blind (at least one that shall be a double blind in any combination). There shall be at least three series. At least one of the series shall include a walk-up, diversion birds and/or diversion shots. Getting Started If you are going to enter a Hunt Test for the first time, it is advisable to start your training now. Probably the best way to become involved and to learn the "ropes," is to contact your local AKC Retriever Club. Clubs across the country can be located on the AKC Web site. On the site, first search for Retriever Hunt Tests, then click Club Search. Most clubs provide group-training sessions. A place where you can practice with your dog on live birds in a simulated Hunt Test situation. The First Time Junior Hunter At the Line It is good practice to try and walk to the line looking directly at the first mark. When you are at the line and sit your dog, give your dog a chance to settle and look out at the test grounds. If you watch your dog you will see them look at each bird location. When they show they have recognized where the birds are coming from and you are ready, signal the judges you are ready. Take your time and do not hurry. When the first bird is out make sure you wait for the judge to release the dog before you send your dog! If you send your dog before the judge releases the dog you are out!! When you are training it is a good idea to silently count to 5 before you send the dog on a mark, this conditions the dog to a delay between seeing the mark and going. In Junior stakes you will have the dog on a lead or hold them by the collar, even so, if you are leaning forward which you probably will be the dog can easily pull you off the line if they are conditioned to go as soon as they see the bird. In hunt tests you will hold an empty gun or facsimile. In general you might consider holding the gun on the opposite side as the dog when you are sending and on the same side when taking the bird from the dog. Always make sure the gun is pointed in a safe direction and never points at a person or dog! When your poodle returns with the bird you should stand looking directly facing the next bird. Give the sit command and take the bird with the hand on the opposite side from the dog. Thus if the dog is on your right, take the bird with you left hand moving the bird across your body and place it on your left hip out of site of the dog. The gun should be in your right hand acting as a barrier for the dog. Do not touch your dog until you have taken the bird! Motion to the judge to take the bird from your left hand by simply holding it out from your body and they will take the bird. Move the gun under your left arm if the dog is on the right and take hold of the dog's collar with your right hand and attach the lead if you are using one. Take a moment to allow both you and your poodle to settle before calling for the second bird. Distance Make sure your dog is comfortable retrieving to 120 yards on land. Too often you see first time dogs leave the line, go out 35 or 40 yards and break down and start hunting. They are conditioned to this distance, as that is about the maximum their owners can throw a bumper. Handlers new to hunt tests usually sit their dog, throw a bumper, dokken or ball and then send the dog for the mark. In essence you are conditioning the dog to go a relatively short distance directly away from the trainer and line. At the Junior level you are not likely to see a mark thrown directly away from the line but rather a right-to-left or left-to-right and perhaps angled slightly back. Cover Expose your dog to as great a variety of cover as possible. In all likelihood, the cover your dog works in at a hunt test will bear no resemblance to the clear area you have been throwing bumpers, dokkens or balls in. You should not expect your poodle to be able to see the mark all the way from the line to the fall. More often than not, some factor such as a cover, a ditch, depression, mound or side hill will cause the dog to momentarily loose site of the mark forcing the dog to require the area of the fall.
Water became a real obstacle for the dogs entered in the tests at the 2005 Regional Specialty tests. It is essential that your dog be able to retrieve his marks in the water. Usually Junior tests position the dog very close to and perpendicular to the waters edge. Dogs naturally will square obstacles such as hills, ditches, roads, and water and must be conditioned to take an angled line, a line not close to 90 degrees. The water at Crop-Les Farms in Maryland is excellent technical water and a dream for most experienced trainers with many points, islands and alcoves. Junior dogs will probably have a clear view of marks and will not have to force through cover or navigate water hazards. It is a safe bet you will see decoys both on land and in the water. Make sure your poodle does not shy away from or try and retrieve them. Decoys are held in place by cords tied to small lead weights of a few ounces touching the bottom of the water. Dogs will often need to swim through a set and sometimes get caught up in an anchor cord, no big deal but first time dogs may be spooked and panic. Many first time Junior dogs have not had very much exposure to water and thus are not very confident. The more you expose your poodle to water the more comfortable and confident they will become. Do as much water work as you can!
A word of caution. Watching the Hunt Tests is not the same as being a part of the gallery at the WC/WCX. During a hunt test there are restrictions on where you can sit, and what you must wear. Dogs are NOT allowed in any gallery areas. Cell phones and pagers are strictly forbidden. Please be aware, the judges will require that the gallery be set off from the line and must sit in designated areas. Spectators are required to wear dark clothing, or camouflaged gear and will not be able to appear in the gallery with any white or very light colored clothing. Viewing at the WC/WCX is more lenient and allows for spectators to get a much better view of things. The WC and WCX Certificates In addition to the AKC Hunt Tests, the 2006 Specialty will again play host to the PCA Working Certificate and Working Certificate Excellent tests on Sunday, June 11. Sue Shaw and Ted Finley will judge this year's WC and WCX certificates. The Poodle Club of America, Inc. allows any registered Poodle over six months of age which meets the performance requirements to receive the Working Certificate and the Working Certificate Excellent.The purposes of these Certificates are to test the natural working ability of the Poodle and to demonstrate his interest in birds, his ability to take direction from the handler, his marking ability, his willingness to enter the water, and his trainability. Performance Requirements for a PCA Working Certificate or Working Certificate Excellent 1. Retrieval of two single birds at approximately 50 yards on land for WC and a double bird mark at approximately 75 yards on land, with an honor, for WCX. Guidelines for the Evaluation of a Dog's Performance in a Working Certificate and Working Certificate Excellent Test |