To review the 2008 changes to the Hunt Test Rules click here for a PowerPoint Presentation

Hunting Tests Judging Criteria:

Junior Hunter

Must show 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.

Senior Hunter

Must show all of the attributes of a Junior hunting dog. In addition, the Senior hunting dog must be steady to wing on all pointed birds and must remain in position until the shot or they are released. A Senior hunting dog must retrieve. All birds that are pointed by the Senior dog in a bird field must be shot where safety allows. If gunning is being done on course, all birds pointed on course must be shot where safety allows. A legitimate attempt to retrieve all downed birds must be made. Conditions such as the type of cover where the bird landed, the terrain, and the condition of the downed bird, sometimes make a retrieve impossible, and this should not reflect negatively on the score of the Senior dog. Whenever it encounters its brace mate on point, it must honor. A dog that steals its brace mate's point cannot receive a Qualifying score.

Master Hunter

Must give a finished performance and demonstrate clearly that it deserves to be qualified as such. This is the complete hunting companion that any hunter would be proud to own. It must be under its handler's control at all times, and handle kindly, with an absolute minimum of noise and hacking by the handler. A Master hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive manner of running, and must demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. The dog must hunt for its handler at all times at a range suitable for a handler on foot, and should show or check in front of its handler frequently. It must cover adequate ground but never range out-of-sight for a length of time that would detract from its usefulness as a practical hunting companion. The dog must locate game, must point staunchly, and must be steady to wing and shot on all birds and if it breaks, it cannot receive a Qualifying score. Intelligent use of the wind and terrain in locating game, accurate nose, and intensity on point are essential. Whenever it encounters its brace mate on point, it must honor. A dog that steals its brace mate's point cannot receive a Qualifying score.
A Master hunting dog must positively demonstrate its steadiness to wing and shot. All birds that area pointed by the Master dog in a bird field must be shot where safety allows. If gunning is being done on course, all birds pointed must be shot where safety allows. Gunning must be done by Official Guns only. A legitimate attempt to retrieve all downed birds must be made. Conditions such as the type of cover, where the birds landed, the terrain, and the condition of the downed bird, sometimes make a retrieve impossible and this should not reflect negatively on the score of the Master dog. All killed birds must be retrieved promptly, tenderly and absolutely to hand. The handler shall not command or signal the dog to retrieve until positive steadiness has been demonstrated.

Please note that each dog receives a pass or fail score as judged against the above criteria. Dogs do not compete against each other. Both dogs in each brace may pass.

For complete regulations applying to AKC Hunt Tests click here.

Walking Field Trial Judging Criteria:

Open Puppy

Puppy stakes are for dogs at least 6 months old, but less than 15 months old. Puppies must show desire to hunt, boldness, and initiative in covering ground and in searching likely cover. They should indicate the presence of game if the opportunity is presented. Puppies should show reasonable obedience to their handlers' commands, but should not be given additional credit for pointing staunchly. Each dog shall be judged on its actual performance as indicating its future as a high class bird dog. Every premium list for a licensed or member trial shall state whether or not blanks are to be fired in a Puppy Stake. Since the premium states that blanks will be fired, every dog that makes game contact shall be fired over if the handler is within reasonable gun range.

Open Derby

Derby stakes are for dogs at least 6 months old, but less than 24 months old. Derbies must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, style of running, and demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives but also the ability to find game. Derbies must establish point 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 shot must be fired. A lack of opportunity for firing over a Derby dog on point shall not constitute reason for non-placement when it has had game contact in acceptable Derby manner. Derbies must show reasonable obedience to their handlers' commands. Each dog is to be judged on its actual performance as indicating its future promise as a high class bird dog for Gun Dog or All-Age stakes. Preference should not be given to one potential over another. Application is more important than range in a Derby. All placed dogs must have established a point.

Gun Dog (Amateur and Open Stakes)

A Gun Dog must give a finished performance and must be under its handler's control at all times. It must handle kindly, with a minimum of noise and hacking by the handler. A Gun Dog must show a keen desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive style of running, and must demonstrate not only intelligence in quartering and in seeking objectives but also the ability to find game. The dog must hunt for its handler at all times at a range suitable for a handler on foot, and should show or check in front of its handler frequently. It must cover adequate ground but never range out of sight for a length of time that would detract from its usefulness as a practical hunting dog. The dog must locate game, must point staunchly, and must be steady to wing and shot. Intelligent use of the wind and terrain in locating game, accurate nose, and style and intensity on point, are essential.

Amateur

A person who, during the period of two years preceding the trial has not accepted remuneration in any form for the training of a hunting dog or the handling of a dog in a field trial. For purposes of this definition the word remuneration means payment in money, goods or services. No member of the household of a person who does not qualify as an Amateur under this definition can qualify as an Amateur. For purposes of the foregoing definition, the word household means those persons that comprise a unit living together in the same shared dwelling. An Amateur (as defined above) may run any number of dogs wholly owned by him or her, or members of his or her immediate family (as defined in Chapter 14, Section 5) but shall not run more than three dogs that are not so owned in any amateur stake. Amateurs may compete in open stakes.

Handlers walk the course.
Field trials are a head-to-head competition to determine who has the best field dog in the eyes of the judge that day. Points are awarded that can be applied toward an AKC Field Champion or Amateur Field Champion title. AKC ribbons to top four places. Points to first place dog.

For complete AKC Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Pointing Breeds click here.

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