I. Conditions

1. In order to compete in any CKC Performance Event all dogs must be CKC registered and the owner must present the dog’s registration certificate or CKC Photo ID at the time of the event; registrant services will be offered to non-CKC registrants at the time of the event.

 

2. If a dog is registered the day of the event, the owner must submit a completed Continental Kennel Club Registration form.

 

3. Bitches that are in heat or pregnant are not allowed to enter in any CKC Performance Event. If a bitch is entered deceitfully, the dog will be disqualified and no entry fee will be refunded.

4. Aggressive dogs are not allowed to enter in this series of CKC Performance Event. If a dog becomes aggressive during the event, the dog will be disqualified and no entry fee will be refunded (enthusiasm & excitement will not be perceived as aggression).

5. All equipment that is used during the event must be check and approved by the Judge, before the event.

6. Dogs competing in any CKC Performance Event must compete in a flat collar only (nylon, leather). No slip collars, prongs, or e-collars.

7. No entry fees will be refunded.

 

II. Canine Testing Options & Titles

 1. There are four canine categories, three testing classes and two optional tests:

a. Canine Categories

1. Retrievers
2. Flushing Dogs
3. Pointing Dogs
4. Pointing Labs

b. Classes

1. Novice
2. Intermediate
3. Finished

c. Optional Tests

1. Retrieving
2. Upland

 2. A dog can be entered in any class that the owner/handler feels the dog to be capable, however,  once a title is earned in any one class, it is recommended that the dog be entered in the next higher class.

 

 3. Titles are as followed:

a. Retrievers

1. NRH – Novice Retrieving Hunter

2. IRH – Intermediate Retrieving Hunter

3. FRH – Finished Retrieving Hunter

 b. Flushing Dogs

1. NFH – Novice Flushing Hunter

2. IFH – Intermediate Flushing Hunter

3. FFH – Finish Flushing Hunter

c. Pointing Dog

1. NPH – Novice Pointing Hunter

2. IPH – Intermediate Pointing Hunter

3. FPH – Finished Pointing Hunter

d. Pointing Labs

1. NPL – Novice Pointing Lab

2. IPL – Intermediate Pointing Lab

3. FPL – Finishing Pointing Lab

4. A dog must earn a total of 100 points in order to earn a title and advance to the next class.

5. 30 points can be earned in each test, plus five bonus points if the owner/handler chooses to run  the dog in an optional event and the dog passes the optional test.

6. If a dog commits some infraction causing the dog to fail, the test stops and the dog is marked as failing. Any points acquired up until this point are still awarded to the dog; however, no title will be awarded (if 100 points has been accumulated) until the dog

    can correctly demonstrate the failed portion of the test.

7.  Live, dead, and/or artificial birds (primarily quail and duck) may be used in all retrieving tests. Live  quail will be used in all upland tests.

8. Upland rules for retrievers entered in the optional upland test for retrievers will follow the guidelines for the flushing dog tests, except the retriever will not be required to hup or sit when a bird flushes or a gun is fired to prove steadiness to wing and shot; however, the dog must still remain stationary.

9. THE JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL.

 

III. Retrievers

1. Retrievers will be scored on style, drive, trainability, marking, nose and deliver.

 

2. NRH

a. The test consists of four retrieves: two land, two water (If conditions do not allow water  retrieves due to the presence of alligators or other water conditions that make it unsafe for a dog to enter, then two additional land  retrieves will be done).
b. No dog is allowed to break. If the dog breaks, the handler will have two more chances to re-start the dog.
c.  No dog will not be required to perform double, triple or blind retrieves; only single marks will  be done.
d. A dead bird will be thrown out of sight of the dog, a shot will be fired and the dog will be released to retrieve the bird.
e. The dog must be given a clear view of the mark and three chances to mark the bird. If the dog fails to mark the bird after the third try the dog can no longer compete in land retrieves for that day, but may compete in water retrieves and/or the optional upland tests.
f. The dog must deliver the bird within 3 feet of the handler and stay.
g. If the dog runs off with the bird and does not deliver, the test is failed.

3. IRH

a. The test consists of one double mark on land, one double mark on water, one blind retrieve on land and one blind retrieve on water.
b. The handler may encourage and direct the dog, however, non-productive handling that may delay or disturb the dog may cause the dog to fail the test (THE JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL). c. A whistle sit is not necessary, however, it does indicate good positive training and will reflect the dogs score.
d. The dog should not break when lined for a mark or blind retrieve; he should only leave when sent by the handler.
e. The dog must find the mark within the allotted time set by the judge (time must be set prior to the event).
f. All marks and blinds will be thrown at a slightly longer distance than for the Novice class and shall not be thrown in unreasonably dense cover.
g. If a dog switches on a double mark, he will be given two more chances. If he continues to switch, he will be marked as failed.
h. The dog must drop the bird at the handlers feet or give the bird to the handler with no reluctance.
i. The dog should initially go directly to the handler with the bird and should not have to be overly coaxed to bring in the bird.
j. The dog should demonstrate obedience and good manners.

4. FRH

a. The test consists of one triple on land, one marked double on water, and one blind double on water.
b. Retrieves should be given at a greater distance than in the Intermediate tests.
c. The dog will be given at least one diversionary bird thrown as the dog is coming back to the line. If the dog switches, the test is failed. The dog must also retrieve the diversionary bird.
d. The dog must deliver to hand and either sit or stand at the side of or in front of the handler and not release the bird until requested to do so by the handler.
e. The dog must also sit quietly, under complete control, and patiently watch other dogs test in the field.  

 

IV. Flushing Dogs

1. Flushing Dogs will be scored on style, drive, hunt ability, boldness to flush, trainability, and retrieving.

2. NFH

a. The test consists of 4 finds by the dog (4 different birds).
b. The dog must be held at the starting point until the judge tells the handler to release the dog.
c. The dog must immediately begin to hunt showing strong desire and independence or drive.
d. The dog should show signs of quartering naturally and should respond to the handler.
e. The handler may encourage the dog to keep the dog in gun range; however, the fewer commands needed the better it will reflect the dogs score.
f. If the dog does not respond to the handler and stay in control, then the dog will be marked as failed.
g. The dog does not have to hup or sit and remain steady to wing and shot, but the less bird chasing the better it will reflect the dogs score.
h. If the bird is missed by the gunner and the dog chases the bird, then the dog must stop at a reasonable distance from the handler, and come back to the handler on command.
i. If a bird is missed by a gunner, then an additional bird may be planted.
j. Birds must be planted away from each other.
k. If a dog bumps a bird and does not intentionally flush it, then the bird will not be counted as a find.
l. If the dog bumps or flushes a bird out of gun range because the dog is out of control, then the dog will be given one more chance. If it happens a second time, the dog will be marked as failed.
m. The dog is required to make an effort to retrieve the shot bird. If the dog runs off with the bird and refuses to bring it back to the handler after a reasonable amount of commands from the handler then the dog will be marked as failed.
n. The dog must return the bird to the general vicinity of the handler, but is not  required to retrieve to hand (JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL).

3. IFH

a. The test will consist of four finds by the dog (4 different birds) in thicker cover than the novice dog.
b. The dog must show higher levels of drive, hunt ability, boldness to flush, trainability, and retrieving than the previous class.
c. If the dog hunts out of gun range, bumps a bird, refuses to flush, or does not find a planted bird, then the dog will be marked as failed.
d. The dog does not have to be completely steady to wing and shot, but the dog should not run after the bird in a way that is out of control; if so, the dog is marked as failed.
e. The dog should quarter or hunt in a zigzag pattern in front of the handler, covering the entire field.

4. FFH

a. The test will consist of four finds by the dog (4 different birds) in thicker cover than the intermediate dog.
b. The dog must show higher levels of drive, hunt ability, boldness to flush, trainability, and retrieving than the previous classes.
c. The dog must respond immediately to the commands of the handler, quarter in front of the handler, never being out of gun rage, and flush the bird boldly.
d. The dogs should immediately hup or sit on the flush and remain sitting after the shot. The dog should not break until sent for the bird by the handler.
e. The dog should immediately retrieve the bird to hand.  

V. Pointing Dogs

1. Pointing dog will be scored on style, drive, hunt ability, staunchness to point, trainability, and retrieving.

2. NPH

a. The test will consist of four birds to work and point.
b. Four good solid points flushed by the handler will not be required and the dog will  be required to be steady to wing and shot.
c. One break by the dog will be allowed.
d. The dog will loose points for hunting in close to the handler; however, in either case the dog should hold a point and not bump a bird.
e. Creeping is allowed, but not to the point where the dog causes the bird to flush.
f. If the dog bumps 2 or more of the birds, the dog will be marked as failed.
g. The dog must run alone and not in a brace.
h. The dog should allow the handler to walk in and flush the bird.
i. The dog should respond to the handler’s commands. j. The dog does not have to be steady to wing and shot; however, the dog should not put himself in harms way of the shot.

3. IPH

a. The dog must show higher levels of drive, hunt ability, staunchness to point, trainability, and retrieving than the previous class.
b. The test will consist of four finds by the dog (4 different birds) in thicker cover than the novice dog.
c. The dog should thoroughly cover the ground ahead of the handler; however the dog should always be under control of the handler, and the dog should range within the realm of common sense.
d. The dog must be run alone.
e. If a downed bird is not easy to find because of cover, etc., or if the bird is a cripple, the dog should help in finding the bird, and/or run down the cripple. Failure to do so will not result in a failed test, but will be reflected in the dogs score.
f. The dog should be completely staunch on point. The dog can move up if the bird moves, but not to the point of flushing the bird. If the dog causes the bird to flush, the dog is marked as failed.

4. FPH

a. The dog must be under complete control of the handler, and must demonstrate a high level of experience with lots of drive, hunt ability, and trainability.
b. The dog must be cautious when approaching a scented bird, lock on a staunch point, and not break as the handler flushes the bird.
c. The dog must thoroughly work the field at a range that is comfortable for the dog and the handler.
d. The dog must remain completely steady to wing and shot.
e. The dogs will be run as a brace. A sufficient amount of birds needs to be planted in order for the dogs to make at least 4 finds each.
f. Each dog will be required to back or honor the other dog at least twice.
g. Each dog will be required to demonstrate retrieving ability by retrieving at least two birds to hand.  

VI. The Pointing Labrador

 
1. All three classes of Pointing Labrador will be run the same as for the Pointing Hunter with the following Exceptions:

a. The NPL will be expected to retrieve the downed bird to the general vicinity of the handler.
b. The NPL and the IPL can flush the bird, but only after holding a point for several seconds. The longer the point is held, the higher the score.
c. The FPL should hold the point until the handler flushes the bird, though  flushing after a staunch point will not cause the dog to fail the test.
d. The NPL must retrieve the bird to the general vicinity of the handler, while the IPL and the FPL must retrieve to hand.