TEST REQUIREMENTS
Working Certificate Test Rules and Regulation (2011)
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9.1 The Working Certificate Test. (Table of Contents)
9.1.1 The Working Certificate test shall be for all eligible breeds 6 months of age or older on the day of the test who have not received confirmation of the title of WC from the CKC on or before the closing date for entries. The tests for WC shall be:
(a) Back to back singles on land
(b) Back to back singles in water
9.1.2 The requirements of the WC are designed to test a dog's natural abilities such as marking ability, memory off all, intelligence, desire, style, perseverance, nose and courage.
9.1.3 A dog need not be totally steady and may come to line on lead. The dog may be held in heel position by lead, collar or hand. Dogs shall not wear any type of collar while retrieving during the test. The dog should deliver to hand and must bring the bird across the line. The dog should show no evidence of gun shyness or hard mouth. The dog should show desire and willingness to work in all weather conditions.
9.1.4 Back to back singles on land should have an angle of no less than 90 degrees between the falls, be in light to moderate cover and be approximately 50 to 75 yards (45.7m 68.5m) in length. The length will vary as to the type of cover and terrain. The birds should land in cover so that they are not conspicuous from the line
9.1.5 The back to back singles on water may be run from separate lines. If the test is run from one line, the angle shall not be less than 90 degrees between the falls and shall be run from the edge of the water. If the test is run from 2 separate lines, the retrieves shall be consecutive back to back singles and the 2 lines at the edge of the water shall not be more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) apart. Birds should be in swimming water from 22.9 to 36.6 meters (25 to 40 yards) away depending on the cover of the water. Birds should land in open water or at the edge of reeds but should not be hidden. Tests should be set-up so as not to encourage shore running. Decoys are not to be used.
9.1.6 A dog running the WC test must not be handled, as marking ability, style and desire are of primary importance. The dog should return to the handler as directly as possible, and can be given whistle, voice, and hand encouragement to return. Speed is not essential, but the dog should not disturb too much cover on the way to the falls.
9.1.7 All gunners and throwers should be visible to the dog and should not move after the birds are thrown. Gunners and throwers should stand in close proximity to one another if separate gunner and throwers are used. The bird pail must be kept covered. Guns and blank ammunitions are to be used.
9.2 The Working Certificate Intermediate Test. (Table of Contents)
9.2.1 The Working Certificate Intermediate test shall be for all eligible breeds who have earned the title of WC. In the case of a limited entry test, dogs that have obtained their titles will be entered only after dogs working toward their titles have been entered. The tests for the WCI shall be:
(a) Land double.
(b) Honour on the land test.
(c) Water double.
9.2.2 The WCI tests are designed to continue to test the dog's natural abilities and to show that he can be a useful partner on a hunt.
9.2.3 Dogs running in the WCI should be reliable and steady, under control, show desire and willingness to work and be able to use their noses. The dog must deliver to hand, and shall come to the line off lead. Dogs and handlers are under judgement from the time they leave the holding blind, throughout the test, and until they are behind the judges after the test. The holding blind shall be placed within 22.9 meters (25 yards) of the judges.
9.2.4 Land Double - the angle between the falls shall be not less than 90 degrees. The birds will land in cover and not be conspicuous from the line. The falls shall be approximately 68.6 meters (75 yards) long in moderate to moderately heavy cover.
9.2.5 Honour - the dog shall honour on the land test. The honouring dog will be required to sit and stay until the working dog has made the area of the fall, or should have made the area of the fall, for the first bird he is to retrieve. Handlers may not intimidate, or interfere with either dog during the honour. Handlers are not to block their dogs' views of the falls. In the event of a delay in judging, the judges may permit the honouring dog to be relaxed in sight of the judges until the test is ready to resume.
9.2.6 Water Double - the angle between the falls shall not be less than 90 degrees. The birds will land with a definite and visible splash 36.6 to 45.7 meters (40 to 50 yards) from the line. One bird shall land in cover. Decoys are to be used, singly anchored and centrally located between the 2 marks and visible from the line.
9.2.7 WCI dogs are not required to handle on a mark. Marking ability, style and desire are of primary importance. Dogs should return directly to the handler on whistle command or no command. Verbal commands must be kept to a minimum and used only if absolutely necessary when the dog is within about 4.6 meters (15 feet) of the line, not when he is out in the field. Gunners and throwers shall not move after the birds are thrown. Bird pails are to be kept covered. Guns and blank ammunition are to be used.
9.3 The Working Certificate Excellent Test. (Table of Contents)
9.3.1 The Working Certificate Excellent test shall be for all eligible breeds who have earned the title of WCI. In the case of a limited entry test, dogs that have obtained their titles will be entered only after dogs working towards their titles have been entered. The tests for the WCX shall be:
(a) Walk-up test with a land double or land/water double
(b) Honour on the walk-up (c) Water double
(d) Land blind
(e) Water blind
9.3.2 WCX dogs are not required to handle on a mark. Marking ability, style and desire are of primary importance. Dogs should return directly to the handler on whistle command or no command. Verbal commands are discouraged when the dog is in the field. Gunners and throwers shall not move after the birds are thrown. Bird pails are to be kept covered. Guns and blank ammunition are to be used.
9.3.3The WCX dog should be a steady, reliable worker that would be an asset to have along on a hunt. Dogs and handlers are under judgement from the time they leave the holding blind, throughout the test, and until they are behind the judges after the test. The holding blind shall be placed within 22.9 meters (25 yards) of the judges. The dog shall be off lead at all times while under judgement. The dog must deliver to hand, show desire and willingness to work, be able to use his nose, and follow directions when necessary. The dog must not disturb too much cover either on the way to or from the falls.
9.3.4 Walk-up the test shall include a 15 yard (13.71m) walk-up for both the working dog and honouring dog. Both dogs shall stop when the first gun is fired at which time both handlers may quietly tell/or whistle their dogs to sit and stay.
9.3.5 The honouring dog must honour until the working dog has picked up its first mark, or should have picked up its first mark. The first bird thrown shall be about 91.4 meters (100 yards) and the second bird about 45.7 meters (50 yards) away in moderate to heavy cover. There shall not be less than a 45- degree angle between falls and they should be visible to both dogs. Handlers are not to block their dog's view of the falls. The thrower shall stay in position until the birds have been retrieved. Both handlers shall carry unloaded guns or replicas during this test. The dogs shall honour after they have run the mark. The walk-up test, if the grounds permit it and the judges choose to, can be to one bird in the water and one bird on land. The bird in water should be the shorter bird thrown about 45.7 meters (50 yards) from the line.
9.3.6 Water Double - shall have falls up to 45.7 meters (50 yards) in length in swimming/wading water with natural cover in the water. The falls shall be in light cover and the dogs shall be able to see the splash of the ducks as they land. Effort should be made to prevent the ducks from drifting too far from the edge of the water, but shore running and acute water angle entries should be avoided if possible. The angle between falls should be about 90 degrees. Several decoys, singly anchored, should be in front of the line but not in a direct line to either fall. The handler shall point an unloaded gun or replica toward the mark and a designated gunner shall discharge a gun within 1.8 meters (6 feet) of the handler for one (1) mark.
9.3.7 Land Blind - shall be about 45.7 meters (50 yards) in length, depending on the cover and terrain, and should have some sort of natural obstacle such as a ditch, small hedgerow, or lying water about 4.6 meters (15 feet) in front of the line. A shot will be discharged at the line by the designated gunner when the dog is on line, and before it is sent. Cover should be moderate, and if possible, open flat terrain should be avoided when setting up this test.
9.3.8 Water Blind - shall be a maximum of 45.7 meters (50 yards) in length. The running line shall be no more than 4.6 meters (15 feet) back from the water's edge and it must be a direct not an angle entry. There shall be no gunfire, no diversion or blind planter in sight. Decoys, if used must be singly anchored at least 3 meters (10 feet) off the direct line to the blind and not closer than 3 meters (10 feet) to either the shore or the blind.
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