What is the steps of the different hunt tests as a dog would go through them? Started being first. I know you junior, senior, master hunter, HRC, FC.
What are all the diferent levels? Are there different AKC and UKC trials? Do both kennel clubs follow the same order? Are there different field trials and hunt trials?
Interested in the whole thing.
If I wanted to make my dog a field champion, what tests would I have to successfully run her through.

Pm duckdiver, he does that.


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AKC Hunt Tests: junior, Senior, Master, Master National Hunter

HRCH Hunt Tests: Started, Seasoned, Finished, GRHRC

AKC Field Trials: Amatuer Field Champion, Field Champion

Hunt tests are non-competitive and all dogs are judged to a standard. They are pass-fail.

Field trials are pure competition with 4 placements.

I started in hunt tests and now run field trials. The difference in the level of difficulty between the two is huge.

Buck

HRC (Hunting Retriever Club) = UKC

HRC hunt tests resemble a hunting situation as close as possible. Have been to HRC finished tests where you stand in flooded timber, hunt out of a boat, hunt out of layout blinds, but most of the time just setup on edge of pond.

Typically those who run field trials start with AKC hunt tests and move up because none of them really resemble a true hunting situation.

AKC (junior, senior, master) hunt tests you don't hold a real gun and all marks are shot in the field from their station. Longer marks and longer blinds typically.

Field trials are very similar (depending on the level and series) but typically the blinds and marks are SUPER long and mark throwers where white coats because of the longer lengths.

For your dog to become a Field Champion, which is an AKC field trial title, the dog must have a win in the "open all age " stakes and also have 5 points from placing in other events for a total of ten points.
I like the competition of trials, because it's dog vrs dog. However, you'll have more success in the hunt test game being tests are a pass/fail venue. There are clubs of all 3 kinds in S La. My recommendation is going and watch the different kinds, reading the rules and requirements of each, ask questions then pick what you feel best fits you and your dog, UKC (HRC) tests, AKC tests, or AKC trials.

In Canada the H.R.C. Is the only tests you run with a gun. If your just duck hunting that's the way I would go. I also find that it's the only " group of guys that are all hunters" with the other types of clubs I find there are too many "dog people" and not enough hunters.

Run them all u can't fail them if u don't run them

Here are links to videos of two AKC Senior tests. A dog with a Senior Title generally
has the necessary skills to be a very good duck dog.
Note: I am not saying a title is necessary.

The first is a water series at Bong Recreational Area in Wisconsin. Water levels were very
low that summer....thus the lunging water. It was a double with a cold blind and honor.



This is an AKC Senior land series at Valders, Wisconsin. It was a double including an "out
of order" live flyer with a cold blind and honor.



note: My dog Gunny was running at both tests and these were videos of friends'
dogs. We passed both tests.

There is a huge difference between field trials and hunt tests. For comparison in a
60 dog AKC Master test the number of passes could be anywhere from about
15 to 45 ribbons/passes. It varies quite a bit and the test standards
generally are very challenging.

In a 100 dog Open Field Trial there are only four places rewarded plus a few ribbons
for the few others that finish the last of four series. The mind set of field trial
competitors is very, very different.

I'm working a Derby Friday at the Madison Retriever Club's Spring Trial.......there will
be several talented retrievers (under two years old) competing for one of the four
placement ribbons. With no cold blinds it is a flat out control and big doubles marking
skills challenge. Judges decide the order of which four performed the best.