This post is the final in a series about AKC Retriever Master Hunter tests.  Monday I explained the basics and yesterday a bit about the tests.  Today I will explain a bit about how the dogs are scored.

According to the Rules and Regulations:

“The evaluation of a dog’s abilities can never be precise; it is not an exact science. However, the primary purpose of a Retriever is to get the birds to hand as quickly as possible in a pleasing, obedient manner; whether a dog accomplishes its primary purpose is determined by its possession of a unique set of both natural abilities, and abilities acquired through training.”

Not very clear, but trust me there are pages and pages that explain in great detail how dogs are to be scored.

Keep in mind that this is a pass/fail test.  No dog is supposed to be compared or evaluated compared to another dog.  The dog runs the test and if it receives a qualifying score, the dog receives a pass and a nice orange ribbon.

I will not go into all of the nuance contained in the Rules and Regulations, but if you are curious, click the link and read the full booklet.

In lay terms, here are some (not all) of the things the judges look at:

• Retriever hunt tests test marking and memory.  This is especially true when a dog is presented with multiple marks.  Therefore, a dog that remembers and goes directly to the mark and establishes a hunt and finds the bird will get a higher score than a dog that must be handled (or directed) to a mark.  If a dog has to be handled to multiple marks, normally it will not receive a qualifying score.
• Teamwork and trainability is also tested especially when running blind retrieves where the dog does not see the fall and the handler must direct the dog to the bird.  If a dog has too many whistle refusals (failing to stop for direction) or cast refusals (failing to follow the direction given), then normally the dog will not receive a qualifying score.
• The dog must demonstrate perseverance and that means taking the cover and not avoiding it and sticking to the hunt especially if the mark should be in higher cover.  Once the dog starts to hunt for a mark, the dog cannot leave that area to go to another area to hunt.  In Masters that would not receive a qualifying score.
• The dog should look stylish or eager to retrieve.  The dog should go quickly to the fall.  The dog must not refuse to leave to retrieve or return to its handler without the bird. The dog should pick the bird up quickly and return to its handler quickly.
• The dog should deliver to hand and not drop the bird before delivering it to its handler.  The bird must be fit for consumption so the dog should give it up freely and not chomp on it.  This is usually scored as part of trainability.
• The dog must be steady for all of the marks and the honor.  Dogs that creep out are normally scored lower than dogs that sit attentively at heel.  The dog should not be too noisy (barking and whining) while at the line or after being sent to retrieve.
• The dog should have good line manners and that means calmly waiting in the holding blind and walking to the line at heel.  Dogs come to the line off lead so the dog should not run ahead of its handler to get there.

These are the very basics without going into all the detail contained in the Rules.  It might sound like a lot to remember, but as with anything, the more you train and run tests, the more you learn.  Master tests require much more precision for both the dog and handler.  In Master tests the handler can mess up and cause the dog to fail.  A bad cast or a mistake can doom the run.  By the same token, a handler can help the dog with good casts or helping to line the dog to marks before sending it to retrieve.  Teamwork definitely comes into play.