REGULATIONS for PERFORMANCE & JUDGEING
Working Certificate Test Rules and Regulation
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10.1 Guidelines. (Table of Contents)
10.1.1 Members of the test giving club, officers and test committee may run their dogs in the tests so long as neither they nor a member of their immediate familyis a judge at the test.
10.1.2 In working certificate tests, gunners, throwers or handlers shall not wear distinctively white or light clothing at any time but handlers may wear handling jackets for the blinds in WCX
10.1.3 In the tests, dogs worked by the same person or belonging to the same owner shall be separated when possible.
10.1.4 Dogs may be run our of the order in which they are drawn:
(a) When in the opinion of the judges or the Working Certificate Test Committee it will result in a reasonable and desirable saving of time in the conduct of the test
(b) When in the opinion of the judges it will avoid unfairness or prejudice to any participating dog resulting from an event which has occurred in a particular test.
10.1.5 It is essential that all spectators in the gallery be kept far enough from the line so as to enable the working dog to clearly discern his handler and nothing shall be done to disturb the dog's attention from his work. A handler has the right to appeal to the judges if the gallery is interfering with the dogs' work in any way and the judges at their discretion may, if they believe the dog has been interfered with, give him another test.
10.1.6 No training will be allowed on the test grounds within 24 hours of the start of the test. A bumper thrown by the handler for the purpose of a warm-up shall not be considered training.
10.1.7 All use of firearms at these tests must comply with Federal/Provincial regulations. Safe handling of firearms by any person concerned with the test on the test grounds is mandatory.
10.1.8 In all tests all dogs shall be kept where they can see neither the falls of another dog nor see another dog work in any series
10.1.9 All dogs must be kept where they cannot see blind retrieves planted, and where they cannot see another dog working on a blind retrieve in any series. Members of the Working Certificate Test Committee should report violations of this section to the marshal. Violation of this section should be penalized by elimination of the dog and the handler from the testing.
10.1.10 The right to run a dog cannot be transferred except when the handler has been dismissed from the test or when approved by the Working Certificate Test Committee.
10.1.11 The right to run a dog cannot be transferred except when the handler has been dismissed from the test or when approved by the Working Certificate Test Committee.
10.2 Inspection of Test Grounds (Table of Contents)
10.2.1 It is very important that judges inspect the test grounds with representatives of the Working Certificate Test Committee in advance of the start of the test, and seek their counsel regarding any peculiarities of the grounds not readily apparent. At that time, the judges should select and determine the nature of each test and its location, preferably for the entire testing. Also, the test-giving club must provide an efficient organization to conduct the mechanics of the test. This will do much to reduce to a minimum the delays in starting tests providing, of course, that the judges have previously planned and have instructed the Working Certificate Test Committee about the location of the next series and the requirements for birds, guns, gunners, boats, decoys, and the like.
10.3 Before Judging Begins (Table of Contents)
10.3.1 Before each test or series is started, the judges must reach certain decisions between themselves about various details and should consistently comply with these procedures:
(a) When signalling for birds to be thrown it is recommended that each set of gunners be signalled separately. This creates more uniform timing between the falls and also prevents additional birds being thrown if a fall is unsatisfactory to the judges. The signalling judge should be careful that neither his signalling or his shadow distracts either dog.
(b) A verbal command and/or signal to the handler to send his dog is proper, but it is not proper to call the dog’s name, or the handler’s name, for this purpose.
(c) Each judge should be at liberty to say “no bird” and independently, if, in his opinion, any fall or any situation that develops makes for a relatively unfair test for the dog under judgement. Under such conditions the dog should be picked-up immediately and tested later on a new set of birds after waiting behind the line until several other dogs have been tested.
(d) Judges should watch the dog being tested and try to determine whether he apparently saw and marked each fall. It is proper and right to give him another set of birds if he is unable to see the birds and mark the falls through no fault of his own, but due to poor flight of the bird, unusual light conditions, striking changes in the background, or any other occurrence which makes for directly different conditions from those under which previously tested dogs had been run in that series. On the other hand, the dog should not be given a new set of birds when failure to mark was of his own doing, either through lack of attention, or because his attention was frozen on another set of gunners or a previous fall.
(e) When on line, if working dogs creep forward or jump before being sent, short of breaking, the judges should agree whether they are to be brought to heel before being sent to retrieve. If so, handlers should be informed of this requirement, in advance, and the manner in which they will be advised on-line of its application. Also, care should be exercised so that this is enforced in such a manner that it does not become grossly unfair for honouring dogs.
(f) The judges should agree in advance about the degrees they will consider a controlled break in contrast to one which will eliminate the dog. They should be in agreement about the severity of the penalties to assess for various degrees of controlled breaks.
(g) Judges should keep sufficiently detailed notes on each dog’s performance so as to enable them to recall it completely, or at least its outstanding features. Each fault should be noted including those that are minor. Although the latter may not require that a dog be penalized at that time, repetitions of that fault, or commission of various other faults in succeeding series, may cause a total of faults to assume serious proportions.
10.4 Instructions To Handlers (Table of Contents)
10.4.1 Instructions to the handler can be given as he comes to line regarding the position he is to take, the nature of the test, and any special instructions about the desired method of completing it. If special instructions are to be given, great care must be exercised so that each handler receives the same instructions. This can be accomplished by summoning all handlers to the line before the series is started, and then announcing those special instructions to the group once and for all. If it is not possible to assemble all handlers for such a single announcement, the special instructions can be written and given to the marshal, who in turn should show them to each handler before he goes on line. Whatever method the judges decide to adopt, they should be certain that all handlers receive identical instructions.
10.5 Procedures On Line (Table of Contents)
10.5.1 Changing tests after a series has been started is undesirable and should be avoided if at all possible. One way of avoiding such unsatisfactory tests, or of avoiding unforeseen and unpredictable situations is the practice of running a test dog at the start of every series. Where possible, a test dog should be used in all tests. A test dog is used by many judges under conditions when they may entertain doubts about the exact way in which the test may actually go. Some believe that the use of a test dog really saves time and on occasion, it may save embarrassment for judges.
10.5.2 If a dog is to be picked-up and eliminated for a faulty performance, instructions to that effect should be given by the judge who is calling the numbers, however, the decision to eliminate must be the consensus of all the judges.
10.5.3 Every bird retrieved and delivered to the handler should be inspected by one of the judges. Failure to inspect retrieved birds must be catalogued as carelessness and as an undesirable practice. It is unfair to all dogs that are being tested, not only in respect to the question of hard-mouth, but more particularly since it may furnish the explanation for a slow pickup or some other oddity in a dog's performance. Any unusual condition of a bird should be brought to the attention of all the judges. If the same birds are to be used again those that are damaged should be set aside and not used again.
10.5.4 Dogs shall be penalized if they are noisily or frequently restrained by their handlers while on line. The degree of the penalty should correspond to the extent and frequency of repetition of the infraction. Although it is not required, it is a considerate gesture by judges, if they are in agreement, to notify handlers when their methods of restraint are incurring penalties for their dogs.
10.6 Marshals and Gunners (Table of Contents)
10.6.1 The marshal, in addition to his other duties, should call the dogs to line and announce to the judges the number of the dogs about to be tested. He should call back to line any dog that was picked-up and is to be re-tested at a later time. The length of time a dog shall be allowed to wait behind a line before the re-testing shall be by pre-arrangement with the judges. The handler should be told when he is to run again at the time the dog is picked-up. The marshal shall also obtain the call backs for the next series from the judges, and announce them. Instructions given to the marshal should be by agreement of the judges.
10.6.2 Instructions given to the marshal and the gunners should be by agreement of the judges, though the instructions may vary from series to series. The gunners should remain quiet and not move their position after their bird is down. Gunners should volunteer information to the judges only:
(a) If the dog is returning with a bird other than one that had been meant for him.
(b) If there is a significant change in the cover, which may not be apparent to the judges.
(c) If a bird has sunk.
10.6.3 The following sections shall apply to gunners and throwers:
(a) Gunners and throwers shall be positioned in close proximity in the field, except in the WCX when one gunner is required on line for the water double.
(b) Gunners and throwers must be easily seen and totally visible to the dogs when they are working the bird being retrieved. In WC, the second set of gunners may sit down or retire while the other bird is being thrown. In WCI and WCX tests, gunners may sit down, but not change position after they have fired/thrown.
(c) Gunners and throwers may not wear distinctively white shirts, jackets, or coveralls. Ordinary clothing is acceptable, camouflage is not a requirement.
(d) Throwers must keep the bird pail covered while the dog is working.
(e) Gunners are required to discharge their firearms prior to the bird being thrown; no duck calls are to be used.
(f) Mechanical bird throwers may be used.
10.7 Evaluating Dog Work (Table of Contents)
(a) Carry any exposed training equipment, (except whistles) or use any other equipment or threatening gestures in such a manner that they may be an aid or threat in steadying or controlling a dog
(b) Hold or intentionally touch a dog while under judgment except as specifically provided for in these rules.
Any violation of these provisions is sufficient grounds to justify elimination from the stake. It is a considerate gesture if the judges notify a handler if a method of restraint might incur a penalty.
10.7.2 Steadiness, to the extent of defining what constitutes a break, is clearly presented in these rules. However, dogs on the line sometimes make various types of movements when game is in the air. Such movements may be interpreted as efforts by the dog to improve his view of the fall, and some occur through sheer excitement. Some dogs creep forward from the line as birds are thrown. If the handler makes no effort to stop or restrain the dog, other than as provided for in section 10.7.6, a judge should not interpret this as a deliberate intent to retrieve, since nothing was done to stop the dog. On the other hand, if the handler does make an effort to stop his dog, a judge should assume that the handler believed the dog intended to retrieve and should deal with such infractions accordingly.
10.7.3 Attention is displayed even as a dog comes on line. His eagerness and general attitude when coming on line, his alertness in locating the gunners, in acceding to his handler's commands, and his zeal for the hunt are highly desirable traits. Conversely, lack of attention and lack of interest should be penalized. Well mannered, experienced dogs should not mistakenly be penalized for lack of excitement or enthusiasm.
10.7.4 Ability to mark does not necessarily imply pinpointing the fall. A dog that misses the fall on the first cast but recognizes the depth of the area of the fall, stays on it, then quickly and systematically hunts it out, has done both a credible and an intelligent job of marking.
10.7.5 Delivery of the bird should be made to the handler directly upon return from the retrieve. It should be given up willingly. A dog should not drop the bird before delivering it and should not freeze or be unwilling to give it up. He should not jump after the bird once the handler has taken it from him. Penalties for faulty delivery may range from minor for an isolated minor offence to elimination from the test, either for a severe freeze or because of repeated moderate infractions.
10.7.6 Recast occurs when a dog makes a start towards a marked fall, but stops within a short distance of the line (the distance usually limited to 15 feet or 4.5 m should be agreed upon between the judges) and returns or is recalled to the handler. The dog is then sent to retrieve again. This is most often attributed to confusion on the part of the dog as to whether it was sent to retrieve the first time. It is not considered a recast when a dog goes to the area of the fall, fails to find the bird and returns (or is recalled) to the handler.
10.7.7 In the WCI and the WCX test it is desirable that the handlers of both the working dog and the honour dog remain silent from the time the first shot is fired until the dog is released by the judge but the handler may very quietly give an occasional command without incurring a penalty.
10.7.8 Style is apparent in every movement of a dog and throughout his entire performance at tests; for example, by the gaiety of his manner in approaching the line, by his alertness on line, by his eagerness and speed on retrieves, by his water entry, by his pick-up of birds, and by his return with them.
10.7.9 Style makes for a pleasing performance. In all test levels in respect to style, a desired performance includes an alert and obedient attitude, a fast determined departure both on land and into water, an aggressive search for the fall, a prompt pick-up and a reasonably fast return. Dogs may be credited for outstanding and brilliant exhibitions of style or they may be penalized for deficiencies in style, the severity of the penalty ranging from minor demerit to elimination from the test in extreme cases.
10.7.10 Response to direction is all-important in handling tests or whenever a dog must be brought back to the area of a fall when he mismarked. In such response to direction a dog should take the original line given to him by his handler and continue on it until he either makes the find or until stopped by the handler and given a new line. He should then continue in this new direction until he finds the bird or is given further direction from his handler.
10.7.11 Justification of faults for penalties include the following:
(a) Not taking the line originally given by the handler
(b) Not continuing on that line for a considerable distance
(c) Stopping voluntarily (i.e. popping-up and looking back for directions)
(d) Failure to stop promptly and look to the handler when signalled
(e) Failure to take new direction (i.e. a new cast when given)
(f) Failure to continue in that new direction for a considerable distance
The seriousness of the penalty for any or all of the foregoing faults varies with the seriousness of the infraction, whether that infraction was repeated and how often, and whether there was a combination of various infractions.
10.7.12 Before assessing a severe penalty because of a dog's failure to stop promptly at the whistle, judges should determine whether the wind, the cover, or the distance seriously interfered with the dog's ability to hear his handler. One whistle refusal or cast refusal may be due to scent refusal and should not be penalized severely if this is the case. In general, the performance in the test should be considered in its entirety. Failure to take and hold a direction may be considered a minor fault, if offset by several other very good responses. A considerable penalty should be imposed for repeated, willful disobedience of the handler's orders and less penalty when, after taking the proper direction, the dog does not continue on it as far as the handler desired. Stopping voluntarily may be considered a minor fault but frequent repetition may covert such popping into the category of serious faults.
10.7.13 Perseverance is shown by a dog's determination to and complete the task systematically, aggressively and without faltering, of search for and find the bird he has been sent to retrieve. A lack of perseverance may become apparent when: a dog returns to the handler voluntarily in a slow, lackadaisical, disinterested manner; the dog pops-up or looks back at his handler for directions on a marked fall before he has hunted for a considerable time or, when the dog switches or blinks a bird (i.e. fails to pick it up and actually leaves it after marking the find). Most of them are serious faults and should be judge accordingly.
10.7.14 Courage is a trait which cannot be tested at every working certificate test. It may be displayed by a willingness to face, and without hesitation enter, rough cover, cold or rough water, ice, mud, or other similar conditions which make the going rather tough, and of doing it repeatedly. The facilities of test grounds, or the weather do not often supply the proper situation for a series where the dog's courage is tested. Because the facilities or weather necessary for such a test are often limited, such tests should usually come late in a testing, unless there are reasonable grounds for assumption that all dogs will receive comparable tests. When such tests can be arranged, they are frequently of great value to the judges in evaluating their relative merits in this highly desirable trait which all retrievers should possess.
10.7.15 Perseverance is shown by a dog's determination to search for and find the bird he has been sent to retrieve and to complete the task systematically, aggressively and without faltering. A lack of perseverance may become apparent when: a dog returns to the handler voluntarily in a slow, lackadaisical, disinterested manner; the dog pops-up or looks back at his handler for directions on a marked fall before he has hunted for a considerable time or, when the dog switches or blinks a bird (i.e. fails to pick it up and actually leaves it after marking the find). Most of these are serious faults and should be judged accordingly.
10.7.16 The Classification of Faults section of these rules states that a dog should be eliminated for hard-mouth or badly damaged game, but, before doing so all judges should inspect the bird and be satisfied that the dog alone was responsible for the damage. Hard-mouth is one of the most severely penalized faults in a retriever. Furthermore, once a dog has been charged with this fault, he carries that stigma for life. Therefore, hard-mouth should only become the judges' verdict when there is undeniable proof of it. Torn skin or flesh, alone, is not sufficient evidence, in almost all cases, to constitute such proof, since damage of that type may be caused in a variety of ways such as sharp sticks and stones in the cover. Dogs can unintentionally damage birds when making retrieves from heavy cover as well as by their fast positive pickup. Furthermore, at certain times of the year, birds are particularly susceptible to such damage. On the other hand, crushed bone structure usually can be accepted as trustworthy and sufficient evidence of hard-mouth. This is the only evidence offering such proof in the absence of a particular obvious, flagrant and unjustified violation of tearing of flesh.
10.7.17 Other faults are frequently confused with hard-mouth, although, in reality, they are entirely separate and distinct from it. In addition, however, the dog may actually be hard-mouthed. Freezing in particular, falls into this category. A hard-mouthed dog may have a gentle delivery and certainly, a sticky delivery does not imply hard-mouth. Rolling a bird or mouthing it while making the retrieve may be erroneously associated with hard-mouth in the opinion of some, even though the bird is not damaged. If such mouthing is a fault at all then it is one of only minor importance.
10.7.18 Judges should remember that a dog is either found to have a hard-mouth or not and if he has a hard-mouth he must be disqualified from the test. Other various types of inconclusive evidence should merely be recorded in the judges' notes, pending the manner in which birds are handled in subsequent series. While it is not required, it is a considerate gesture on the part of the judges to keep separate any bird for which they are disqualifying a dog for hard-mouth and show it to the handler of the dog at a later time.
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