AKC Hunting Tests
Give your pointing dog the opportunity to do what it was bred to do – more often. Participating in Hunting Tests through the American Kennel Club (AKC) is an effective and fun way to give your hunting companion more time and practice in the field, as well as keep up his physical fitness. The purpose of the Hunting Test program, according to the AKC, is “to provide an opportunity for a dog to demonstrate its field abilities in a manner as consistent as possible with the demands of actual hunting conditions.” Any pointing dog over six months old can participate.
Levels
Junior Hunter: “Junior hunting dogs are expected to show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, and have a fast, attractive manner of hunting. They should demonstrate intelligence in seeking objectives and the ability to locate game. A Junior dog must establish point, but no additional credit shall be given for steadiness to wing and shot.”
Senior Hunter: “Senior hunting dogs must show all the attributes of a Junior dog. In addition, they must be steady to wing, staying in position until the bird is shot or they are released. A senior dog must retrieve, but the retrieve need not be perfectly to hand. Whenever it encounters its bracemate on point, a Senior dog is expected to honor (stop and acknowledge a dog on point), but it may be given a verbal command to do so. A Senior dog is expected to stop on a wild-bird flush but it may be commanded to do so. A dog that renders a bird unfit for the table or that steals its bracemate’s point shall not receive a qualifying score.”
Master Hunter: “A Master hunting dog is expected to be a finished and experienced hunting companion.”
Points
Pointing dogs in the Junior level are scored 0 to 10 in four categories: hunting, bird-finding ability, pointing, and trainability. Senior and Master dogs, according to the AKC, are also judged in this categories and in two others: retrieving and honoring. A dog must average 7 across all categories and not score less than a 5 in any one category.
Certificate
All Hunt Tests are pass/fail based on the ability, training, and performance of the individual pointing dog. A passing score means the dog passed the minimum requirements for a particular level. The dog is awarded an AKC title certificate once it achieves the required number of passing scores. The title will appear on the dog’s official pedigree. To accomplish the Junior Hunter (JH) title, a dog must achieve four qualifying scores; five qualifying scores for the Senior Hunter (SH) title; and six qualifying scores for the Master Hunter (MH) title.
Additional information about Pointing Dog Hunt Tests is available at: www.akc.org/events/hunting_tests/pointing_breeds/
