Grade 2 Assessment Requirements

Retriever

Obedience requirements

HEEL: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel off lead from the line to the 30-yard sit marker. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler, or poor positioning of the dog.

SIT / STAY: The handler is required to sit the dog at the 30-yard marker with a single sit command and to return to the line without the dog. Points will be lost for a slow response, or multiple commands. The dog must remain seated for 2 minutes. Points will be lost if the dog stands up, or creeps. No further commands may be given.

RECALL: The handler whilst standing at the starting post, will be required to recall the dog by whistle from the sit marker by whistle. The dog must return to the heel position on recall without fuss, delay or excessive commands. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler and for slow or erratic returns, or for any lack of control on arrival of the dog.

STOP: The handler is required to walk to the 30 yard stop marker with the dog at heel. As the pair pass the 15 yard stop marker the handler must blow the stop whistle and carry on walking without a pause. The dog must drop promptly into the sitting position when the whistle is blown and remain there as the handler walks on to and around the 30 yard marker and returns to the dog. The handler then heels the dog back to the line.

Retrieving requirements

RETRIEVE NO 1 - MEMORY: A single ‘Go-back’ retrieve is carried out at the end of the Obedience section. The handler is given a dummy and walks the dog at heel from the starting post to the 30-yard marker. The handler drops the dummy at the 30-yard marker and returns to the starting post. Without undue delay, the assessor will instruct the handler to send the dog for the retrieve.

RETRIEVE NO 2 - MARKING: Two marked retrieves:

Mark 1: A single retrieve on land and in clear view at 50 yards. 

Mark 2: A single retrieve on land and in short cover at 50 yards.

RETRIEVE NO 3 - DIRECTIONS:  A single 20 yard retrieve either right or left: two dummies are thrown, one to either side of the dog who is facing the handler. The dog must remain steady whilst the dummies are thrown and must fetch the dummy requested by the assessor on a hand signal from the handler. The handler is situated three to five yards from the dog. The dog is positioned with his back to a fence, hedge or similar barrier.

The dog must remain steady at the handler’s side whilst each dummy is thrown. The handler must not move around during the retrieve. Delivery to hand is essential.

Hunting Retriever (Spaniels)

Obedience Requirements

HEEL: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel off lead from the line to the 20-yard sit marker. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler, or poor positioning of the dog.

SIT / STAY: The handler is required to sit the dog at the 20-yard marker with a single sit command and to return to the line without the dog. Points will be lost for a slow response, or multiple commands. The dog must remain seated for 1 minute.

Points will be lost if the dog stands up, or creeps. No further commands may be given

RECALL: The handler whilst standing at the starting post, will be required to recall the dog by whistle from the sit marker by whistle. The dog must return to the heel position on recall without fuss, delay or excessive commands. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler and for slow or erratic returns, or for any lack of control on arrival of the dog

STOP: The handler is required to walk to the 20 yard stop marker with the dog at heel. As the pair pass the 10 yard stop marker the handler must blow the stop whistle and carry on walking without a pause. The dog must drop promptly into the sitting position when the whistle is blown and remain there as the handler walks on to and around the 20 yard marker and returns to the dog. The handler then heels the dog back to the line.

Retrieving requirements

RETRIEVE NO 1 - MEMORY:  A single ‘Go-back’ retrieve is carried out at the end of the Obedience section. The handler is given a dummy and walks the dog at heel from the starting post to the 20-yard marker. The handler drops the dummy at the 20-yard marker and returns to the starting post. Without undue delay, the assessor will instruct the handler to send the dog for the retrieve.

RETRIEVE NO 2 - MARKING: Two marked retrieves: 

Mark 1: A single retrieve on land and in clear view at 30 yards. 

Mark 2: A single retrieve on land and in short cover at 25 yards.

RETRIEVE NO 3 - DIRECTIONS: A single 20 yard retrieve either right or left – two dummies are thrown either side of the dog who is facing the handler. The dog must remain steady whilst the dummies are thrown and must fetch the dummy requested by the assessor on a hand signal from the handler. The handler is situated three to five yards from the dog. The dog is positioned with his back to a fence, hedge or similar barrier.

The dog must remain steady at the handler’s side whilst each dummy is thrown. The handler must not move around during the retrieve. Delivery to hand is essential.

Hunting  Aptitude

This simple hunting test is a test of aptitude and enthusiasm for hunting. The dog will be required to demonstrate a willingness to move away from the handler and to show an interest in hunting some light cover. The cover will consist of soft vegetation. The dog will not be required to quarter, turn to whistle or hunt to a pattern.