| spaniel hunt tests| By Richard N. Suesens Sheboygan, Wisconsin

AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL HUNT TEST

(Published in Spaniels In The Field Fall 1991)

"Twigs snap as you crouch beneath the brush, trying to stay out of sight and sound of the mallards you know are on the pond just ahead. The dog feels the excitement too and starts to forge ahead, but halts at your hand signal. Just as you crest the bank. six ducks burst into the air, and two drakes crumple at the report of your 12 guage. After delivering to hand, Brownie showers you as you stuff the birds into your game bag. Now, on to the business at hand. We're really after pheasants and already have two in the hag, thanks to the curly brown dog at your side."
American Water Spaniel
Owner Unknown

The above experience is not unusual for an American Water Spaniel owner. The American Water Spaniel can bust the toughest cover in the uplands to flush and retrieve birds or retrieve downed game in the nastiest marshes. Whether it be grouse, ducks, woodcock, pheasants, geese or quail the American Water Spaniel is truly a multi-purpose dog, for no other breed can serve the variety of hunting situations that the American hunter faces.

It is because of the versatility of the American Water Spaniel that the AWS Club has designed their own Hunt Tests. The AWS Hunting Tests have four levels, Started Dog, Working Dog, Working Dog Excellent and Working Dog Superior. It was felt that four levels were needed rather than the three levels that the AKC Hunt Tests have because the AWS matures at a slower rate than most sporting breeds. This slower rate of maturation requires that the degree of difficulty of the two beginning tests (Started Dog and Working Dog) enhance the natural flushing and retrieving abilities of the AWS, while not putting the handler in a position to attempt to rush the training. At this point it became apparent that to showcase the breeds versatility the best interest of the AWS would be served by having two additional tests (Working Dog Excellent and Working Dog Superior). This addition allowed a greater variety of individual tests while giving the handler more time to make the training transitions as the degree of difficulty of the individual tests increased.

The following tests are what is felt to be representative of what the AWS can achieve. The Started and Working dog tests are marked on a pass or fail while the Working Dog Excellent and Working Dog Superior are scored on a point system.

STARTED DOG
Requirements: Dogs can be any age. Dogs may be restrained and must bring bird within a six foot radius of the handler.
Flushing Test: This test is the flushing, shooting and retrieval of a planted bird. The handler should encourage the dog to respond to a pattern, idle chatter should be kept to a minimum (avoid giving unnecessary or repetitive commands/encouragement to the dog). Only the handler will talk or give a command to the dog. The handler alone directs the dog and the direction of the guns and the judges. The dog may break as the bird flushes or as the shot is fired. He must retrieve the bird back to within a six foot radius of the handler. The bird is then handed to the judge, who, if the bird was caught by the dog before it flushed, may release the bird to be shot by a gunner and retrieved by the dog. The judge will also check the condition of the bird.

Single Land Marking Test: This is a 30 to 40 yard single retrieve in light to medium cover, which means that the dog must see the bird fall and hear the shot but may not be able to see the bird on the ground. The ground should be level and have no cover changes with a clear horizon. The dog may be restrained. The dog may not be released until after the command "dog" is given by the judge. The dog may not be 'handled to the retrieve. The dog is expected to run to the area of the fall and with a minimum of hunting pick up the bird and return it to the handler. The dog need not deliver to hand, but within a six foot radius of the handler.

Single Water Marking Test: This is a single marked retrieve in water, with a maximum distance of 40 yards. The bird to be retrieved will be a freshly killed or shackled duck. Decoys may be used, if used they will be off to the side. The dog may not be released until after the command "dog" is given by the judge. Dogs may not be handled to the retrieve.

A dog shall be judged to have failed a test (1) if released before being called for by the judge, (2) fails to enter the water, (3) fails to complete the retrieve, (4) fails to return the bird within a six foot radius of the handler or (5) if the bird is in such poor condition to be unfit for the table.

WORKING DOG
Requirements: Dogs may be gently restrained and the bird must be delivered to hand. The handler may take a step to meet the dog.

Flushing Test: This test has two planted birds that are to be individually flushed, shot and retrieved. The dog need not be steady to wing and shot. Control is an important factor. The dog must always hunt in range of the guns. Only the handler will talk or give a command to the dog. The handler alone directs the dog and the direction of the guns and the judges. The dog may break as tbe bird flushes or as the shot is fired. He must retrieve the bird to hand, where the handler can step to meet the dog. The bird is then handed to the judge, who, if the bird was caught by the dog before it flushed may release the bird to be shot by a gunner and retrieved by the dog. The judge will check the condition of the bird then give a command to hunt on. The handler then resumes charge of the field and hunts to the flush and retrieve of the second bird.

Single Land Marking Test: This is a marked single land retrieve 40-60 yards in medium cover. The dog may not be released until the command "dog" is given by the judge. The dog may not be handled to the retrieve. A cover change may be present. The dog should have a clear horizon. A shot will be fired off to the side of the handler and the dog. The dog must deliver to hand, however; the handler can step to meet the dog.

Single Water Marking Test: This is a 40 yard single retrieve through decoys. The bird thrower shall blow a duck call, throw the bird and a shot shall be fired behind and off to the side of the handler and dog. The dog may not be released until after the command "dog" is given by the judge. The dog may not be handled to the retrieve. The dog must deliver to hand, however; the handler can step to meet the dog.

Delayed Double Water Marking Test: This is a delayed double in water with decoys off to the side. The birds used are freshly killed or shackled ducks. The gunner will be behind or off to the side of the handler and the dog. The first bird is the longest, 40-60 yards. The dog may not be released until the command "dog" is given by the judge. The dog may not be handled to either retrieve. As the dog is returning from the first retrieve a second bird is thrown and a shot is fired. The dog must continue to return the first bird to the handler and then be sent to retrieve the second bird. If the dog switches and goes to the second bird he shall be judged as failing the test.

A dog shall be judged to have failed the test if (1) released before called for by the judge, (2) fails to complete the retrieve, (3) fails to deliver to hand or (4) if the bird is in such poor condition to be unfit for the table.

WORKING DOG EXCELLENT

Requirements: Dogs will be steady to the line, no restraints, no leash, no training collar, only flat nylon or leather collars allowed. One controlled break will be allowed per test. Any command given to the dog must be followed through by the dog, refusal(s) will result in a lower score, with the possibility of failure. All retrieves must be to hand. Dogs may not be recast on marked retrieves. The handler is required to handle an empty gun (gun provided). Handling on marked retrieves will result in a lower score with the possibility of failure if excessive handling is required.

Flushing Test: This test has two planted birds that are to be individually flushed, shot and retrieved. The dog need not be steady to wing and shot. Control is very important. The dog must always hunt in range of the guns. Only the handler will talk or give a command to the dog. The handler alone directs the dog and the direction of the guns and the judges. The dog may break as the bird flushes or as the shot is fired. He must retrieve the bird to hand. The bird is then handed to the judge, who, if the bird was caught by the dog before it flushed may release the bird to be shot by a gunner and retrieved by the dog. The judge will check the condition of the bird then give the command to hunt on. The handler then resumes charge of the field and hunts to the flush and retrieve of the second bird.

Land Marking Double Test: This is a 40-60 yard double retrieve on land. The double will be at approximately a 90° angle. The dog may not be restrained and must mark the falls and retrieve them in the order designated by the handler. The dog may not be released until the command "dog" is given by the judge. Dogs cannot be handled on the first retrieve and if necessary only a minimum on the second. Handling on marked retrieves will result in a lower score, with the possibility of failure if excessive handling is required. Failure to find the bird or to retrieve or if a dog switches or does not deliver to hand will be judged to have failed.

Land Blind Test: This is a 40-50 yard land blind in medium cover (handler should be able to see the dog at all times). The dog may not be released until the command "dog" is given by the judge. Dog should be handled as little as necessary. Dog may be recast once. If the dog fails to hunt the area of the fall or does not respond to the directions of the handler, he shall be judged to have failed.

Water Marking Double Test: This is a 30-40 yard double retrieve on the water through decoys on the first retrieve and decoys off to the side on the second retrieve. The dog may not be restrained and must mark the falls and retrieve them in the order desiginated by the handler. The dog may not be released until the command "dog" is given by the judge. Dogs can not be handled on the first retrieve and if necessary only a minimum on the second. Handling on marked retrieves will result in a lower score with the possibility of failure if excessive handling is required. Failure to find the bird or to retrieve or if a dog switches or does not deliver to hand will be judged to have failed.

WORKING DOG SUPERIOR

Requirements: Dogs will be steady to the line, no restraints, no leash, no training collar, only flat nylon or leather collars allowed. Dogs will be steady to wing and shot. All retrieves must be to hand. Handler will be asked to carry an unloaded gun (gun provided). Handling on marked retrieves will result in a lower score, with the possibility of failure if excessive handling is required.

Flushing Test: This test has two planted birds that are to be individually flushed, shot and retrieved. The handler must be in control of the dog at all times. Only the handler will talk or give a command to the dog. The handler alone directs the dog and the direction of the guns and the judges. When the bird is flushed the dog must sit or stand steady. After the bird is shot the dog will retrieve on the command of the handler (after being signaled by the judge) and must deliver to hand. After the retrieve the judge will examine the bird. If the bird was caught by the dog before it flushed, the judge may release the bird to be shot by a gunner and retrieved by the dog. The judge then gives the command to hunt on. The handler then resumes charge of the field. When the second bird is flushed the dog must sit or stand steady. After the bird is shot the dog will retrieve on the command of the handler (after being signaled by the judge) and must deliver to hand. After the retrieve the judge will examine the bird. If the bird was caught by the dog before it flushed, the judge may release the bird to be shot by a gunner and retrieved by the dog. The judge then gives the command to hunt on. The handler again resumes charge of the field. A third bird will be flushed and the dog must sit or stand steady. This will be a fly away bird and the dog must be steady and under control at all times.

Water Triple Marking Test: This is a 30-40 yard retrieve on water, through decoys on the second retrieve, the third retrieve will have decoys off to the side. The first retrieve (third bird thrown) will come from behind the handler and dog and be thrown 10-20 feet in front of the handler and dog, with a shot fired. The dog may not be released until the command "dog" is given by the judge. Dogs may not be handled on the first retrieve and if necessary only a minimum on the second and third. Handling on marked retrieves will result in a lower score, with the possibility of failure if excessive handling is required. Failure to find the bird or to retrieve or if a dog switches or does not deliver to hand will be judged to have failed.

Long Blind: This is a handling test less than 100 yards with cover changes, one of which may be water (the handler should be able to see the dog at all times). The dog may be cast only once and may be handled as necessary. The handler will know the exact location of the hidden bird.

Honor Test: In this test the dog must show the ability to honor another dogs retrieve without restraint, utilizing multiple diversions such as duck calls, gun shots, etc. prior to the retrieve. The dog being tested will be sitting within 10 ft. of another dog. The test dog must be steady without restraint and quiet to any of the above diversions in addition to the throwing and retrieval of a marked retrieve for the other dog.