Weimaraner Association of Canada
Standards for Retrieving Dog Awards
The following Weimaraner ratings may be used as a record for purposes of breeding, advertising, etc., after confirmation from WAC. These ratings will show the degree of ability and training the dog has been able to achieve.
The ratings are not successive, and any dog can be entered for any degree, provided he meets the minimum age requirements of six months of age on the first advertised day of the rating test. Any dog earning a Rating will be issued the appropriate Certificate by the WAC Secretary and signed by an Officer of the Club.
The Ratings offered by the Weimaraner Association of Canada are the following:
· Novice Retrieving Dog NRD
· Retrieving Dog RD
· Retrieving Dog Excellent RDX
Eligibility of Dogs
A. Any Weimaraner with an individual CKC number, ERN, Listed, or an ILP number who has obtained the age of six (6) months on the first advertised day of the tests may compete for any or all of the ratings offered.
B. Ratings Tests are open to all Weimaraners whose owners and/or co-owners are members of the Weimaraner Association of Canada.
C. Spayed bitches or neutered males may compete for and receive ratings.
D. No cryptorchid, monorchid, or dog bearing disqualifying characteristics (as listed in the current standard for the breed) shall be eligible to compete for or receive ratings.
Eligibility to Host and Procedure
A. All tests willl be witnessed by a WAC representative. The WAC may appoint a representative to observe any test.
· The WAC representative will review all rules with the judges and Host Committee, prior to the test.
· The WAC representative will assure the test is conducted within the rules. The rating test chairperson shall be responsible to the WAC representative.
· Results for all competitors, both pass and fail, must be returned to the WAC and a second copy retained by the Host Committee.
· A complete accounting of monies earned and spent will be forwarded to the WAC Treasurer within 10 working days of the event.
B. Requirements
· Rating chairperson and secretary must be members of the WAC.
· Persons desiring to conduct a Rating Tests shall apply in writing to the WAC Secretary.
· Each request will be delivered to the WAC Secretary a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the first day of the proposed tests.
· The ratings host shall recommend one or more individuals to represent WAC for the purpose of witnessing the tests.
· Two Judges are required to be selected by the host committee who are in good standing with CKC. Judges should be experienced with our breed, and our ratings program. Judges, nor any member of their immediate family nor any person living in the same household may either own or co-own any dog for which he will act as judge.
· Any change in judging from the original application requires notification to the WAC Secretary.
· Each request shall include:
- Date or Dates with the starting time of first event.
- Exact location.
- Names of judges and brief qualifications.
- Types of birds to be used.
- Names of rating test chairperson, rating test secretary, and WAC representative.
· No dog is permitted to practice on the rating test grounds on the day of the rating test.
· Only a leather or nylon collar can be worn by dogs participating in ratings tests. No training aids (i.e., no check cords; pinch, spike or choke collars; weighted collars; electronic devices or dummy devices; or flushing whips, etc.) are permitted.
· Owner/handlers are responsible for complete knowledge of and compliance with all rules.
· Bitches in season may/may not be tested at the discretion of the local ratings test committee. The club’s decision shall be included in the premium list.
· Each dog being recommended for a rating will be awarded an official WAC qualifying ribbon. Note: This ribbon only acknowledges the performance qualifications and is not to be considered qualification.
· Dogs who have qualified will be announced at the end of testing. No results are until confirmed by the WAC Secretary.
· Entries must give registered name of dog, call name, registration number, whelping date, sire, dam, breeder, rating in which entered, name and address of owner, name of handler.
· A public drawing, shall be held no later than the evening prior to the test to establish the order of the dogs in the test. No entry or substitution can be made after the draw. The dogs’ information must be recorded in duplicate on appropriate. Within ten (10) working days, these results must be forwarded to the WAC Secretary for review, approval, and issuance of certification.
· In all ratings tests requiring shoot to kill of a bird; official guns shall be used. Break open gun recommended .20 or .12 gauge. Blaze Orange will be worn by all participants (handlers, gunners, judges, etc.)
·
C. Protests, conduct & rule interpretations
· The sponsoring rating test committee and WAC representative shall have the authority to decide upon any rule interpretations, protest or problems arising during the testing time. These decisions must be made in accordance with these WAC Standards for, Retrieving Dog, Versatile Ratings; most current revision.
· Individuals who do not abide by or comply with these rules or act in an unsportsmanlike manner may have any titles withheld or rescinded.
· In cases of misconduct and/or unsportsmanlike conduct, charges may be filed with the WAC by individuals.
Judging Procedures—General
This of the rating program is used to evaluate the retrieving ability of individual Weimaraners on a common and equal basis. All dogs in a particular stake should be run on the same course.
A. Judges should be aware that the Novice stakes will contain dogs that may not show the manners or training that is normally seen at field events. These novice stakes are where many people are introduced to field work. The judges should overlook handler errors that do not seriously hamper performance of a dog. Judging in Novice stakes should concentrate on evaluating the natural retrieving aptitude of the dogs entered. However, if the judges do not see what they consider to be good natural ability, the dog should be scored accordingly.
B. The judges shall be given printed copies of the rating test standards before any test at which they officiate.
C. The decision of the judges will be final.
D. Method of scoring will be on a pass-fail basis.
Retrieving Ratings - general
A. Requirements for retrieving dog tests
· Recognized game birds, ducks, or pigeons must be used for tests. Whichever is selected must be used throughout the test for all dogs. A freshly killed bird shall be used for each NRD entrant in the land series.
· Dead birds may be used for the RD and RDX test, BUT at least one live bird per dog must be shot in each land test. Dead bird required for NRD.
· At each station where a live bird is shot the bird thrower should be backed by at least two gunners. The judges are to arrange the gunners stations depending on the test. On double or triple retrieves, the birds are to be dropped from separate stations.
· Novice dogs may be worked upwind. In RD or RDX stakes dogs should be worked across or downwind to show ability to work and hunt.
· On land retrieves the cover should be sufficient to completely hide the birds, but not so high and/or dense as to block judges’ view of the dog.
· If, at the judges’ discretion, a bird is declared to be out of bounds, the dog should be passed over and another dog run before the former dog returns for judgment. Bird can float out of bounds only one (1) time due to drifting and dog not entering the water to complete the retrieve in all tests.
· Handling is permissible in all tests, but overhandling, either voice or whistle, shall be penalized at the judges’ discretion.
· If on a water retrieve the dog reduces the time required to complete the retrieve by the intelligent use of land, he shall not be penalized. Use of land for the mere purpose of avoiding water will be penalized.
· Calibers of gun used in all tests shall be .20 gauge or larger shotguns or .22 caliber blank cartridges (.22 caliber crimp not allowed).
· Objects may not be thrown to encourage a dog to enter water or to direct dog. This is a disqualification in any stake.
· All shots to be fired AFTER bird is released or thrown and in the air in all retrieving dog tests.
· In the case of mis-tests, the dog shall be passed over, and brought up to be retested later the same day.
NRD—Novice Retrieving Dog
A. Requirements for dogs competing for NRDs shall be as follows:
· Land Retrieve
- Dog is required to retrieve a single dead bird on land, a shot will be fired.
- Retrieve shall be a minimum of 20 yards, but shall not exceed 40 yards.
· Water Retrieve
- Dog is required to retrieve a single dead bird in the water with a minimum swim of 20 yards, a shot will be fired. At judges’ discretion, a bird drifting more than 40 yards from shore may be declared “out of bounds,” and be re-thrown.
B. Scoring - All scoring is on a pass/fail basis according to the official result forms.
C. Procedures
· A circle of rope, hose, or other material is to be laid out with a radius of six (6’) feet (12’ diameter) clearly defining boundaries, circle must come no closer than three feet (3’) from water’s edge. Handler must remain within the circle until the retrieve is completed. Dog must deliver bird to circle.
· No dog may be sent to retrieve until the bird has hit the ground/water and handler has been directed to send dog by judges.
· Steadiness on line is not required, and dog may be restrained by: 1) holding dog and/or holding collar 2) leashing dog.
· Disqualification
- Hardmouthing (both Judges must declare the bird unfit).
- Excessive delay of over two (2) minutes to enter water.
- Loses interest, wanders around aimlessly, or up and down waters edge.
- Refuses handlers commands to handle, over six (6) times.
- Lift their leg on every bush, etc.
RD—Retrieving Dog
A. Requirements for dogs competing for RD shall be as follows:
· Land Retrieve
- The dog is required to retrieve a wide-spaced (approximately 60 degree angle) double with the first fall at approximately 50 yards, and the second fall at approximately (but not less than) 20 yards, one bird will be shot.
- Caliber of gun shall be .20 gauge or larger or .22 caliber blank.
· Water Retrieve
- The dog is required to retrieve a wide-spaced (approximately 60 degree angle) double through eight (8) decoys, with the falls being at distances of approximately 50 yards on the first fall through decoy, and 20 yards on the second fall.
- Dog must enter water promptly.
B. Scoring - All scoring is on a pass/fail basis according to the official result forms.
C. Procedures
·
A circle
of rope, hose, or other material is to be laid out with a radius of six (6’)
feet (12’ diameter) clearly defining boundaries. Circle must come no closer than
three feet (3’) from water’s edge. Handler must remain within the circle until
all the retrieves are completed
Handler MUST release from, and MUST remain within this circle, and dog MUST
retrieve TO HAND.
· No dog may be sent to retrieve until the last bird has hit the ground/water and the handler has been directed to send dog by judges.
· The dog shall be steady on the line (controlled break allowed). Touch to release permitted, but restraint not permitted. Controlled break allowed means “Voice and/or hand signal may be used to stop dog, however, dog must have all four feet inside the circle to be defined as being under control.”
· Disqualification
- Hardmouthing (both Judges must declare bird as unfit.
- Excessive delay of over two (2) minutes to enter or reenter the water.
- Loses interest, wanders around aimlessly, or up and down water edge.
- Refuses handler commands to handle, over five (5) times.
- Lift their leg on every bush, etc.
- Performance so bad, judge would not take hunting.
RDX—Retrieving Dog Excellent
A. Requirements for dogs competing for RDX shall be as follows:
· The dog shall give a finished performance, showing both class and style while competing for this title.
- Dog will be brought to and into circle off leash and under control.
- Handler may elect to have dog stand, sit or be downed, but the original position must be maintained for each individual series.
- A reasonable move of the dog to mark the fall of a bird is acceptable, but no other movement by the dog is allowed. Controlled break is not allowed.
- No dog may be sent to retrieve until the last bird has hit the ground/water and handler has been directed to send dog by judges.
- Dog must enter water immediately with eagerness.
· Land Retrieve
- Dog is required to retrieve to hand, a widely spaced (approximately 60 degrees) double with the first fall at approximately 60 yards and the second fall at approximately 30 yards, one bird will be shot.
· Water Retrieve
-
Dog is required
to retrieve to hand, a triple, first fall to be at 40 yards to one side, second
fall to be a minimum of 60 yards through decoys, third fall to be 20 yards
landing to opposite side as the first fall.
Example: First fall, 40 yards to right; second fall, 60 yards through decoys;
third fall, 20 yards to left. (see diagram)
- Decoys (8) to be placed between 30 yards and 60 yards in water (see diagram).
- Dog must enter and reenter water without hesitation. Delays to be penalized, and excessive delays disqualified.
· Blind Water Retrieve
- The dog is required to be brought to the line without seeing fall. Handler is to be advised of location of bird.
- Dog is required to retrieve, to hand, at a range of approximately 50 yards, through eight (8) decoys.
- No shot will be fired for this test.
- To be completed after triple water retrieve.
- Dog must enter and reenter water without hesitation. Delays to be penalized, and excessive delays disqualified.
B. Scoring - All scoring is on a pass/fail basis according to the official result forms.
C. Disqualification
· Lack of absolute steadiness on the line.
· Hardmouthing (both Judges must declare the bird unfit).
· Handler moved from circle.
· Excessive delay entering or reentering the water over two (2) minutes.
· Handler cannot touch dog except tap to release.
· Loses interest, wanders around aimlessly, or up and down water edge.
· Refuse handler commands to handle, over four (4) times.
· Lift their leg on every bush, etc.
BLANK GUN: A hand gun of at least .22 Caliber or larger INCAPABLE of firing live ammunition (.22 caliber crimp not allowed).
BLIND RETRIEVE: A retrieve in which the dog is prevented from seeing and does not see the fall of a bird and where not shot is fired. Handler will be advised of the location of bird.
CONTROLLED BREAK: A dog that moves before commanded to retrieve may be stopped by voice and/or hand signal from handler. Dog must have all four feet inside of circle to be defined as being under control. Handler may not touch dog.
DELIVER TO HAND: A dog that has made a retrieve must stand or sit close to handler and not release the bird until commanded or handler touches bird.
HARDMOUTHING: Dog chews the bird during a retrieve in such a way that both judges declare bird unfit for the table.
LIVE BIRD: Any bird fully capable of flight.
RELEASE: Handler gives command to send the dog, and/or may touch the dog once.
RESTRAINED: Holding dog, holding collar, holding dog and collar or leashing dog.