GUNDOG WORK

I have  organised a second 'Gundog Training Day' for  Sunday 27th November, meet at 9.30am to start at 10.00am, this will be in the Blackburn area in Lancashire.

Any one interested in any level of working with their dogs please contact me on:  Home - 01254 812799, Mobile 07594 960572 or email me at - suemargerison@gmail.com and then I can give you all the information needed for the day.

I would like to emphasise that everyone is welcome regardless of ability as we will split into varying levels on the day to cater for your dog(s). Just come along and have a great time !!!!!

Sue Margerison

Mr. K. Carty         Mrs H. Barber       Mr J Hargreaves         Mr A Robinson

MINOR BREEDS WORKING TEST 2006

The Minor Breeds Working Test 2006 was held at Leighton Estate, Leighton Shropshire on Sunday 2nd April 2006 by kind permission of Mr. M W Corrie. The event was sponsored by James Wellbeloved [Crown Pet Foods] and AG Mobility Ltd and this year hosted by the Curly Coated Retriever Club.

This working test is an annual event to further the working of minor gundog breeds and is also intended to provide the opportunity of meeting and talking with the owners of the less recognized working gundog breeds, and of course to have a good day out. The test is held under KC Rules & Regulations.

The event was well supported with teams of four dogs from the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly Coated Retrievers, Flat Coated Retrievers, the Irish Water Spaniels and also for the first time the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.

The Judges, Mr. TR Dukes and Miss F Stevens set some challenging tests:-The first was a split seen retrieve with one dummy in cover and the other in open ground.

We then had a blind where the dogs had to run out then turn right over a stream and up a bank with the dogs out of site. The dummy was on the top bank and this test showed the judges which dogs best took directions. The next was a seen water retrieve down a path through a gate and the dummy had to be retrieved from the lake.

The last test was a seen retrieve with a jump over a fence with a bank on one side. Contestants were working in pairs enabling the judges to test the steadiness of the waiting dog.

The final scores were close, but congratulations to the Flat Coated Retrievers who came first with a margin of 9 points; second, with 6 points behind, were the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and third were the Curly Coated Retrievers trailing by just ONE point behind the Chesapeake's (how sad is that!). The Irish Water Spaniels hot on our heels coming 4th and last but not least were the Duck Tollers.

It was agreed by all that it had been a good, happy day, due in no small part to Anthony and Elaine Robinson. We thank them for the tireless effort and considerable thought which had gone into organizing this event. We must also thank the Curly Coated Retriever Club for their financial support and of course the Curly helpers who turned up on the day.

James A. Hargreaves

Reading from left to right:

Cimramin Capricious for Springcurl,  Khanastra Miles High over Blanshard,  Cobrizo China Beach, Darelyn Lillie Langtree at Haregrove.

Photo Mr David Tomlinson

THE KENNEL CLUB SHOW GUNDOG WORKING CERTIFICATE IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE NOTES

Regulation J(A)1.e.

HISTORY In the early history of the Show World all Gundog Champions were required to pass a working qualification. By the 1950s, with the increased popularity of shows, the numbers of potential Champions on the bench were growing and the opportunity and/or necessity to gain a working qualification at Field Trials was declining. Therefore, the title of Show Champion came into being, but to achieve Full Champion status the dog still needed to qualify at a Field Trial either with an award, COM or by passing the Show Gundog Working Certificate.

AIM To provide credible proof of the natural working ability of a KC registered Gundog that has already proved it meets the KC Breed Standard by a qualification in the show ring.

PREPARATION Whilst the Judges on the day are looking for natural working ability, for retrieving breeds it is expected that your dog has had experience of handling freshly shot game, will retrieve from water, and is not afraid of gunfire. It is also important that your dog is under sufficient control to undertake the test once the lead is removed.

ETIQUETTE AND CONDUCT There is an established code of conduct expected at Field Trials and this applies equally to Show Gundog Working Certificate Days. Participants should be aware that it is a privilege, and not a right, to be present and to take part, and shall not openly impugn the decision of the Judge or Judges or criticize the host, ground or guns.

All Judges, Stewards and other helpers, entrants, supporters and spectators must be courteous to and co-operative with the host and the Steward of the Beat, (who will usually be the Gamekeeper), and should fall in willingly with their arrangements to achieve the best result possible in an atmosphere of friendliness and confidence.

It is expected that those attending these events will dress appropriately. While there are no specific dress requirements, it is suggested that clothing worn should be suitable for the shooting field, warm, waterproof and unobtrusive. Brightly coloured clothing should be avoided.

The production of game to the guns is not assisted by noise, and those present should conduct themselves quietly and ensure that no unnecessary disturbance is created which might disturb game.

QUALIFICATION Before entering for this Certificate always refer to Kennel Club Regulations J(A)1.e.(1) & (2) to ensure that your dog has the correct qualification and decide which method of achievement  would be most suited to you and your dog. This Regulation states:

"A Gundog which has won one or more Challenge Certificates at Shows or, may be entered for a SGWC at a Field Trial Meeting for its sub-group. HPR's, Spaniels and Retrievers may also participate in a Show Gundog Working Day for the sub-group, licensed by the Kennel Club, with a minimum of two Judges

officiating, of which at least one must be an "A" Panel Judge. (As special dispensation to the current Regulation the  General Committee of the Kennel Club has agreed that a Gundog which has won one or more first prizes in a class for its breed at a Championship Show may be entered at a Show Gundog Working Day")

Photo Mr David Tomlinson

HOW TO ENTER

AT A FIELD TRIAL The permission of the Society holding the Trial must be obtained and the dog must be entered on the entry form of the meeting. The fee charged by the Society should be the same as that for the dogs entering the Trial.

AT A SHOW GUNDOG WORKING DAY These are organized by a number of registered societies in the UK and are run entirely for the purpose of Show Gundogs to achieve the SGWC. In recent years the number of these days has gradually increased along with training days aimed particularly at this Certificate.

Any Kennel Club registered Society authorized to hold Field Trials may apply for permission to run a Show Gundog Working Day. A 'Secretaries Checklist for running a Show Gundog Working Day is available free of charge from the KC Field Trial Department.

Clubs presently organizing Show Gundog Working Days:

Brittany Club of Great Britain

Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club

Flat Coated Retriever Society

German Wirehaired Pointer Club

Golden Retriever Club 

Hungarian Vizla Club

Kent, Surrey &Sussex Labrador Retriever Club

Labrador Retriever Club

Midland English Springer Spaniel Society

Utility Gundog Society

These days may not be held every year, as they are dependent upon demand and availability of grounds

METHOD OF ACHIEVEMENT The granting of a Show Gundog Working Certificate will be at the discretion of the Judges at the meeting, and two Judges, one of whom must be an "A" Panel Judge, must sign the Certificate. Before doing so they must be satisfied that the dog has fulfilled the following requirements:-

• The dog has been tested in line.

• The dog has shown that it is not gun-shy.

• For a Retriever, that it hunted for, and found, dead or wounded game, faced cover, and retrieved tenderly.

• For a Spaniel, that it hunted, faced cover, produced game and retrieved tenderly.

• For a Pointer or Setter, that it hunted and pointed game.

• For a Hunt, Point and Retrieve Breed, that it hunted, pointed game, and retrieved tenderly.

• For all retrieving breeds, that the dog entered water freely, swam and retrieved (If a natural retrieve from water is not possible, then a dummy may be used. If suitable water is not available the dog is permitted to undertake a special water test on a separate date at a separate location recognized by the issue of a Certificate, to be signed by two Field Trial Panel Judges one of whom must be on the "A" Panel.

• The dog has not whined or barked in line. (Subject to the Breed Standard)

• The dog has been under reasonable control. (Absolute steadiness is not essential)

JUDGES However you decide to attain the Certificate, at a Field Trial or a Show Gundog Working Day, there will always be two Judges assessing the work of your dog at least one of whom will be on the "A" Panel.

If a dog passes the test to the satisfaction of these Judges a Certificate will be issued on the day, signed by the Judges and the secretary of the society. This will be sent to the Kennel Club to be recorded for inclusion in the Kennel Club Stud Book for that year and the Certificate will be returned to the owner of the dog. (If the

water element has not been undertaken please note the following paragraph on the "Water Test" in which case the certificate will be held by the Kennel Club until completion of the water element).

The production of game to the guns is not assisted by noise, and those present should conduct themselves quietly and ensure that no unnecessary disturbance is created which might disturb game.

WATER TEST If suitable water is not available for the retrieving breeds at a Field Trial or Show Gundog Working Day, Show Gundogs will be permitted to undertake a Special Water Test on a separate date and at a separate location. This will be recognized by the issue of a separate Water Certificate, to be signed by two Field Trial Panel Judges, one of whom must be on the "A" Panel and sent to the Kennel Club to be recorded in order that the dog can be given its complete Show Gundog Working Certificate.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE NOTES Whilst the Judges on the day are looking for natural working ability, for retrieving breeds it is expected that your dog has had experience of freshly shot game and to particularly note that:

• Dogs which make a noise will not pass the certificate (subject to the Breed Standard)

• Although absolute steadiness is not essential a reasonable amount of control is expected at the discretion of the Judges

• The term "Champion" [Full Champion] must not be confused with the term "Dual Champion". A Dual Champion is a dog that has become a Champion in the show ring and a Field Trial Champion, which in recent years has become quite a rare occurrence.

However, the acquisition of the Show Gundog Working Certificate does indicate that a qualified dog has retained its working ability with prestigious recognition in the Kennel Club Stud Book.

For further help and information on these Certificates and Gundog training opportunities please contact Hilary Gould in the Kennel Club Field Trial Department:

020 7518 1059 Fax:1046

hgould@the-kennel-club.ora.uk

fieldtrials@the-kennel-club.ora.uk

Photo Mr David Tomlinson

The following dogs have passed the Show Gundog Working Certificate. (Since 1996)

• Ch Gladrags Jackaranda

• Ch Darelyn Double Dutch

• Ch Gladrags Keepmeinmind

• Ch Caballus Grand Slam

• Ch Caballus Kingfisher

• Ch Swe Ch Springcurl Peace of Mind JW

• Gamesmere Royal Escort

• Cimramin Capricious for Springcurl

• Ch Aspenwood Carbon Copy at Roughyeds

• Int Ch, Fin Ch, Swe Ch, Nor Ch, Ir Ch Springcurl Agneta

• Ch Caballus Waterman

• Ir Ch Springcurl Turandot

• Ir Ch Springcurl Ulysses

• Ch Gladrags Brief Encounter