AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Test Recommendations for Advisory Committee

Transcription

1 AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Test Recommendations for Advisory Committee 1) p.4 Ch.1 Section 9 AKC Publications: Entire section to read All clubs holding Hunting Tests are required to have available copies of the latest edition of these: Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds; Rules Applying to Registration and Dealing With Misconduct. 2) p. 5 section 13,Premium Lists, second paragraph following location add with directions. 3) p. 7, section 15, top of page, After the sentence, Whenever a bracemate is not available in the same test level, the Judges must select a suitable bracemate. Add the following explanation in italics A suitable bracemate is one that most closely matches the expectations of the testing level. Care should be taken when using a bracemate from a lower level, so as not to place the testing dog at unfair disadvantage. 4) p.10, section 17, Submission of Records, first paragraph, Rewrite the paragraph to repair run on sentence and to change sending in entry forms to entry forms retained by the Club. The rewritten paragraph to read: The Hunting Test Secretary shall, within seven days of the completion of a licensed or member club Hunting Test, forward to the American Kennel Club the Official Catalog, marked to indicate dogs that received qualifying scores. Certified and signed by the Judges and the Hunting Test Secretary. The complete Hunting Test Secretary s Report of the Hunting Test must be sent to The American Kennel Club so as to reach its office within seven (7) days after the close of the event. All entry forms are to be retained by the Club for a period of one year following the conclusion of the event. 5) p. 12, third line from top, correction of typo; replace the word Senior with Master. 6) p. 13, Ch.3, section 2, Courses, paragraph 2, Follow the sentence A bird field must not be less than five acres and larger than five acres is strongly recommended. With the sentence Bird field only courses must not be less than 40 acres. 7) p.13& 14, Ch.3 section 3, Birds, On p.14, third paragraph, change first sentence to read In a Test run on a single course without a bird field, the birds must be released at suitable places along the course. Change current last paragraph in Section 3 to read Regardless of which course or bird field option might be used, it is mandatory to plant the back course and to maintain a sufficient number of birds both there and in the bird field. A sufficient number liberated per brace would be a minimum of one bird on the back course and two birds in the bird field. End section 3 with the following paragraph: Birds may be planted from horseback and/or ATV on the back course, as long as it can be done without interference to the working dogs. With the exception of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), motorized vehicles are prohibited. ATV s may be used for the sole purpose of liberating birds on course. ATV s must meet all applicable state and federal

2 government requirements. ATV s are not allowed in bird fields, but may be driven around their parameters. 8) p. 14 Ch.3, Section 4, Running Time, Change first sentence to read At least 15 minutes shall be allowed for each brace in the Junior Hunting Test, and at least 30 minutes allowed for each brace in Senior and Master Hunting Tests. Add to the end of the last paragraph in section 4, If extended time is advertised it must be adhered to. 9) p. 14 Ch.3 Section 5, Horses, change second sentence to read Horses may be used only by the Judges, the Judge s Marshall and the bird liberator. 10) p. 17, Chapter 4, Section 1, Junior Hunting Test, Second sentence to be changed to A Junior dog must establish point on a majority of the birds it encounters; but no additional credit shall be given for steadiness to wing and shot. Following this sentence, Junior hunting dogs must hold point until the handler gets within normal gunshot range. Insert the following italicized explanation. This requirement should be tempered by practical considerations such as the dogs distance from the handler when it finds a bird. Also insert this explanation on p.30, bottom paragraph following the words (Chapter 4, Section 1). 11) p. 17, Chapter 4, Section 2, Senior Hunting Test. Change the second sentence to read In addition, a Senior hunting dog must point all birds plus be steady to wing and remain in position until the shot or they are released. After the third sentence, A Senior hunting dog must retrieve. Add this sentence A serious attempt must be made to shoot all birds pointed by the Senior dog; every downed bird must be retrieved. 12) p. 18, Chapter 4, Section 3, Master Hunting Test. Change last paragraph in section 3 to read A Master hunting dog must positively demonstrate its steadiness to wing and shot. A serious attempt must be made to kill all birds pointed. All killed birds must be retrieved promptly, tenderly and absolutely to hand. The handler shall not command or signal the dog to retrieve until positive steadiness has been demonstrated. 13) p. 20, Chapter 5, Section 2, Instructions and Test Requirements for Junior Hunting Test. In Category (1) Hunting: Add this explanation at the end of category description, A dog that lacks independence to the extent that it barely leaves its handler s side; needs constant direction as to where to hunt; or is directed into a bird has failed in its hunting ability and can not receive a qualify score. 14) p. 20, Chapter 5, Section 3, Senior Test. Category (3) Pointing, should read A Senior hunting dog must point all birds plus be steady to wing and remain in position until the shot or the dog is released. Also insert this on p.31 to replace the first sentence at the top of the page. 15) p.21 Chapter 5, Section 3, Senior Test (4) Retrieving, 4 th pp Change second sentence to read The callbacks to demonstrate retrieving ability shall be limited to those dogs,

3 whose scores in the other abilities would otherwise enable them to receive a Qualifying score. 16) p. 21 Chapter 5, Section 3 Senior Test (6) Honoring last pp. Change second (last) sentence to read Callbacks to demonstrate honoring shall be limited to those dogs whose scores in the other abilities would otherwise enable them to receive a Qualifying score. 17) p. 22, Chapter 5, Section 4, Master Test, (3) Pointing. Following the last sentence in the category add this explanation in italics The caution is expected to be quiet and infrequent. No intimidation or restraint is allowed. Also insert this explanation on p. 31 in Guidelines for Hunting Tests, Part II Hunt Test Categories, 3: Pointing, in the third pp. from the top of page following this sentence: The handler may caution a Master dog after it has established point. The caution is expected to be quiet and infrequent. No intimidation or restraint is allowed. 18) p. 22, Chapter 5, Section 4, Master Test, (4) Retrieving, third pp. Change the second sentence to read The Judges may call back only those dogs whose scores in the other abilities would otherwise permit them to receive a Qualifying score. 19) p , Chapter 5, Section 4, Master Test, (6) Honoring. The first sentence should be changed to read A Master hunting dog must honor; a dog requiring restraint, either physical or verbal, while establishing an honor; or a dog that steals its bracemate s point cannot receive a Qualifying score. 20) p. 23, Chapter 5, Section 4, Master Test, (6) Honoring. In the third pp., insert this explanation between the first sentence and the parenthesized note regarding the 1991 Committee s intentions. The caution is expected to be quiet and infrequent. No intimidation or physical restraint is allowed. 21) p. 23, Chapter 5, Section 6, Master Test, 6: Honoring, next to last pp. Change the second sentence to read The Judges may call back only those dogs whose scores in the other abilities would otherwise permit them to receive a Qualifying score. 22) p. 30 Guidelines for Pointing Breed Hunting Tests, Part II, 3: Pointing, third pp. Change first sentence to read Flagging (lack of staunchness) on game is generally a fault in older, more experienced dogs. Drop the part of the sentence that says..but should not be reflected too severely in the Pointing score of a Junior dog. 23) p. 34 Guidelines for Pointing Breed Hunting Tests, Part II, 6: Honoring, fifth pp. first sentence. Change the words when honoring to while establishing an honor. 24) Tracking Collars: It is recommended that Tracking Collars be approved for use in Hunting Tests with the following stipulations and that this new section should be inserted in the Rule book on page 7 following the current section 15 (on bye dogs etc.) The recommended stipulations were adapted from Pointing Breed Field Trial Rules and are as follows: AKC approved electronic tracking collars will be permitted in all testing levels,

4 unless prohibited in the Premium List. Any misuse by handlers or gallery members will be severely dealt with by suspension and/or fines. Regulations for the use of tracking collars are as follows: (1) The owner/handler is responsible for providing his/her own tracking collar. (2) The radio transmitter placed on the dog is to weigh no more than five ounces. (3) The use of the tracking collar is elective and for no reason should the running of the test be held up due to lack of equipment. (4) If a handler elects to use the transmitting collar on his/her dog, only one other collar is permitted to be on the dog. The tracking collar shall remain on the dog during the entire brace; if a handler elects to remove the tracking collar; that dog shall be considered out of judgment. (5) The handheld receiver shall be kept in the possession of the judges or the marshal only. (6) The handheld locating receiver can only be used after the dog is determined to be out of judgment. (7) Any person using a locating receiver to locate a dog currently in judgment and prior to official authorization of its use by one of the judges, shall disqualify the dog in that test and the offenders shall be disqualified from further participation at that Hunting Test. (8) Special training collars used to control and train dogs including but not limited to collars with prongs, electronic collars used with transmitters, muzzles and head collars may not be used on dogs at AKC events, except as allowed in the AKC Rules, Regulations and Policies. (9) Each club shall provide the judges with a copy of this page concerning the use of Tracking Collars at AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests. Suggestions Regarding Judge Requirements: Apprenticeship: 1) Attendance at a Hunting Test Judging Seminar is required in order to begin apprenticing; but no judging credit will be given for it. 2) The prospective Apprentice must have qualified a dog at least once at the level to be apprenticed or higher. 3) Two apprenticeships, under different judges, are required before the first actual judging assignment can be approved. A minimum of six (6) dogs must be run per assignment. The Apprentice Judge must judge the entire test level in order for the apprenticeship to be considered successful. 4) Each successful apprenticeship would earn one judging credit. Judges: 1) To have apprenticed twice at the level to be judged or higher. 2) To have put a minimum of 3 qualifying scores on a dog or dogs at the level to be judged or higher. In order to be approved to Judge a Hunting Test, Field Trial Judges must have placed a dog or dogs 5 times in adult dog stakes at a Field Trial. 3) Judges panel to have a total of 8 assignments, with 4 of the credits from actual judging assignments at that level or higher. 4) All current Pointing Breed Hunting Test Judges must successfully complete an AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Test Judge s test by December 31, 2008 in order to maintain their approved status. All prospective AKC Hunting Test Judges must take the test and before initial judging approval will be granted. All persons taking the Test must score a minimum of 85%.

5 5) All current Judges are required to take an AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Test Seminar by December 31, After the first seminar it is mandatory for all Hunting Test Judges to attend an AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Test Seminar or pass an AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Test Judges test at four year intervals.