AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Test Rules & Regulation Changes Effective January 1, 2008
Major Rules changes are as follows:
The addition of Judges Eligibility requirements to Chapter 1, Section 6. The revised section will read as follows (revisions underlined):
Section 6. Judges’ Eligibility and Approval.
Anyone in good standing with The American Kennel Club may be approved to judge a Hunting Test subject to the qualification requirements in force at the time.
In order to Apprentice Judge (after 1/1/08):
Must attend one AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Test Seminar.
Must handle a dog to at least one qualifying leg at the level to be judged or higher.
In order to be an approved Judge (applies to new judges after 1/1/08):
Must apprentice judge twice at the level to be judged or higher.
Must pass an AKC Hunting Test written test.
Must handle a dog to at least three qualifying legs at the level to be judged or higher.
Approved pointing breed field trial judges are exempt from the “handled in three qualifying legs” requirement, but must still apprentice judge twice and pass the written test prior to judging pointing breed hunt tests.
In order to Maintain Judging Eligibility (applies to all judges):
By 12/31/2009 – all judges must have attended a seminar or passed a written test within the last 5 years of the date of the assignment.
Judges Panel Qualifications (after 1/1/08):
The proposed judges of each level must have a combined record of having judged at least 8 previous licensed tests, with at least 4 assignments at the same test level or higher.
2) Changes to Chapter 3, Section 3 – to allow for the use of ATVs for bird planting and to require birds to be released on the Back Course. (Revisions underlined).
Section 3. Birds. Birds should, if possible, be released in natural cover rather than in artificially created cover. They should not be placed in holes nor in such cover as will impede their ability to fly or run. Birds may be rocked or dizzied but not to such an extent as to affect their ability to fly. Game Stewards and bird planters should wear gloves and should not hold birds against their bodies.
In all test levels, a minimum of two birds shall be released for each brace, either before the start of, or during the running of each brace.
In a Test run on a single course without a bird field, the birds must be released at suitable places along the course. Whenever a bird field is used (either alone or with a course), the minimum of two birds per brace must be released in the bird field.
Regardless of which course or bird field option might be used, it is mandatory to plant the back course and to maintain a consistent number of birds both there and in the bird field throughout the event.
Birds may be liberated from horseback and/or All Terrain Vehicles on the back course, as long as it can be done without interference to the working dogs. With the exception of ATV’s, motorized vehicles are prohibited. ATV’s may be used for the sole purpose of liberating birds on course. ATV’s must meet all applicable state and federal government requirements. ATV’s are not allowed in bird fields, but may be driven around their perimeters.
3) Chapter 4, Section 1 – to require that Junior Hunting Dogs must point 50% of the birds found. (Revisions underlined.)
Section 1. Junior Hunting Test. A Junior hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, manner of hunting, and demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. A Junior hunting dog must establish point on at least fifty (50) percent of the birds it encounters, but no additional credit shall be given for steadiness to wing and shot. If the handler is within reasonable gun range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a blank cartridge must be fired by the handler. Junior hunting dogs must hold point until the handler gets within normal gunshot range. This requirement should be tempered by practical considerations such as the dog’s distance from the handler when it finds a bird. Junior hunting dogs must also show reasonable obedience to their handler’s commands.
4) Addition of a new paragraph (H) to Chapter 5, Section 1, paragraph 1, to allow tracking collars in pointing breed hunting tests at the club’s discretion. (Revisions underlined)
New Paragraph (H): The use of tracking collars at recognized hunting tests are at the sole discretion of the host club. The hunting test premium list shall state if tracking collars are allowed. If the premium list does not specifically state tracking collars are allowed, they are then prohibited.
5) Addition to Chapter 5, Section 2 - Instructions and Test Requirements for Junior Hunting test to highlight the idea that a dog must search for the bird and if it fails to do so, it should be scored very low in its hunting ability. (Revisions underlined.)
Section 2. Instructions and Test Requirements for Junior Hunting Test. (1) HUNTING: A dog is scored from “0” to “10” on the basis of whether or not it evidences a keen desire to hunt, boldness and independence, and a fast, yet useful pattern of running. A dog that lacks independence to the extent that it seldom leaves its handler’s side, needs constant direction as to where to hunt or is directed into a bird(s) has not demonstrated adequate hunting ability and cannot receive a qualifying score.
