Continental Kennel Club

Advanced Bird Dog

I. Conditions

The General Rules for Competition apply to all novice exercises. Please refer to a separate publication for more details.
All dogs must compete on a flat collar

II. Canine Testing Options & Titles

1. Canine Categories

2. Classes

3. Optional Test

Upland
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.
Titles are as followed:

1. Flushing Dogs

2. Pointing Dog

3. Pointing Labs

NPL–Novice Pointing Lab
IPL–Intermediate Pointing Lab
APL–Advanced Pointing Lab
A dog must earn a total of 100 points in order to earn a title and advance to the next class.
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.
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.
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.
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.

III. Flushing Dogs

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

The test will consist of four finds by the dog (4 different birds) in thicker cover than the intermediate dog.
The dog must show higher levels of drive, hunt ability, boldness to flush, trainability, and retrieving than the previous classes.
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.
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.
The dog should immediately retrieve the bird to hand.

IV. Pointing Dogs

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

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.
The dog must be cautious when approaching a scented bird, lock on a staunch point, and not break as the handler flushes the bird.
The dog must thoroughly work the field at a range that is comfortable for the dog and the handler.
The dog must remain completely steady to wing and shot.
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.
Each dog will be required to back or honor the other dog at least twice.
Each dog will be required to demonstrate retrieving ability by retrieving at least two birds to hand.

V. The Pointing Labrador

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

The Advanced Pointing Lab 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.
The Advanced Pointing Lab must retrieve to hand.

For information on competing or hosting events contact

CKC Events Department at 1-888-CKC– 8042 or visit us at WWW.CKCUSA.COM

Continental Kennel Club, Inc. reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

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