HUNT TESTS & FIELD TRIALS

For other Hunt Tests and Field Trial Events


    HUNT TESTS

    Hunt Tests test your dog's skill against a hunting retriever skill
    standard. Created by hunters, like you, during non-hunting season as
    friendly competition during training and was later adopted by AKC and
    UKC clubs. Alamo Retriever Club holds both AKC (American Kennel
    Club) and UKC (United Kennel Club) Hunt Test Events.

    These tests are designed to test you and your dog in true to life
    hunting conditions in which a dog is judged for his natural and trained
    abilities.

    The AKC and UKC offers three levels in which to compete in order of
    complexity:

    AKC: Junior Hunter (JH), Senior Hunter (SH) and Master Hunter (MH).

    UKC: Started (SHR), Seasoned (HR) and Finished (HRCH)
             Upland Hunter (UH) for upland game bird hunting.

    UKC also has 2 Grand Hunt Tests per year for Hunting Retriever
    Champions. (GRHRCH) It takes two Grand passes and a total of 300
    points to earn a GRHRCH title.


    For more information on hunt tests, including rules, how to achieve
    titles and locations of these events, please visit the corresponding
    websites:


    FIELD TRIALS

    Field Trials are the ultimate test for a dog’s natural and trained
    abilities. Unlike hunt tests where your dog’s skills are tested against a
    standard, your dog is also competing against other dogs, including
    champions. Retrievers are usually in the 100-350 yard range, but can
    be as short as 20 yards or as long as 500 yards depending on
    features of the course and cover conditions.

    Field trials have classes or stakes for Derby, Qualifying, Open and
    Amateur dogs. Ribbons are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place,
    as well as JAMS (judges Award of Merit). Points are only awarded
    toward championships in the Open and Amateur stakes.
    Derby stakes are for young dogs under the age of two. Qualifying
    stakes are an intermediate stake between Derby and the Open and
    Amateur stakes.

    Dogs earn a Field Champion (FC) tiitle in the Open stake, open to
    both professional and amateur handlers. Amateur Field Champion
    (AFC) titles come from the Amateur stakes, open only to amateur
    handlers. FC Titles require 10 points, including a win, and AFC Titles
    require 15 points, including a win. A win and 2 additional points in the
    Open qualify a dog for entry in the annual National Retriever
    Championship. A win and 2 additional points in the Amateur stake
    qualify a dog to run in the annual  National Amateur Championship.

    Alamo Retriever Club holds AKC Field Trial Events. UKC does not
    currently have Field Trial Events.

    For more information on field trials, including rules, how to achieve
    titles and locations of these events, please visit the AKC's website:

    AKC: AKC FIELD TRIALS FOR RETRIEVERS