AKC RETRIEVER HUNT TEST
My Dog Can Do That!
(The First AKC GWP to Earn a Retriever Hunt Test Title) By Judy Cheshire
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ome breeds are specialists, while many are versatile. In the sporting group, there are hunting tests for Pointing Breeds, Retrievers and Spaniels. Those breeds that are historically meant to do multiple tasks are allowed to cross over to other hunt tests, at the parent club’s request with the concurrence of AKC Performance Events Dept. For example, Flat Coated Retrievers have always been included in Retriever Hunt Tests. According to their standard, “He is keen and birdy, flushing within gun range, as well as a determined, resourceful retriever on land and water.” Flat Coats may now also compete in Spaniel Hunt Tests. German Wirehaired Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Spinone Italianos, Vizslas and Weimaraners are all considered to be “continental breeds” that retrieve game both on land and in water. All these breeds may now compete in retriever Hunt Tests. Carol Piette-Cagle and her GWP, Gracie, are the first GWP team to gain a Retriever Junior Hunter title! Pryor Creek’s Gracie Mae is no stranger to the word “versatile”! Her other AKC titles include: Field - Master Hunter (with an average score of 9.75 on her last leg!); Tracking - TD and TDX (and in training for her VST!); Obedience – CD, CDX, UD, UDX (with OTCH points to boot!); Rally – RN, RA, RE and RAE; and Agility – NA, NAJ. Gracie also unofficially competed in an Airedale Fur Test. The requirements include finding a raccoon in a dense forest and barking to indicate its presence – only one Airedale and Gracie qualified, leaving the organizers of the event wondering if they should allow other breeds to enter! Carol rescued Gracie when she was two years old. She was sold over the internet as a hunting dog and when she had a disagreement with the family’s Jack Russell Terrier they decided to sell her, give her away or just dump her! A veterinarian told them about Carol and Tommy Cagle and their love for the GWP breed. Carol picked Gracie up, planning on getting her into GWP rescue. Accepted by the eight other Wires in the household and loved by Carol and Tommy, she never left her new found home. Carol says, “After Tommy died I had lost my training partner and didn’t know if I would continue with dogs, even though it has been a life time hobby. A friend in
Wirehairs said, ‘you will go back when Gracie wants to.’ When Gracie started bringing box turtles to me at home in Oklahoma, it was time to start training again for something - I chose Retriever Hunt Tests as that was something Tommy and I had not done together.” GWPs were accepted into the Retriever Hunt Tests in January, 2012. At the Junior level, the Retriever Hunt Test consists of four marked retrieves, two on land and two in water. The dog may walk to the line on lead but has to be under the handler’s control. Retrieves are not more than 100 yards and the dog must retrieve to hand. The Senior level, which Carol and Gracie are training for now, is more complicated, with both blind retrieves and doubles, plus honoring a working dog. According to Carol, “The difference between the Pointer and Retriever test is that the pointer handlers come, test their dogs, get a ribbon and go home. The retriever tests are run in series, so people stay and you get to talk all day long about dogs. They are very friendly and love their retrievers. Gracie was the only pointing breed in the tests, so lots of people wanted to know what type of ‘new retriever’ she was! When she went to the line, I didn’t know what to expect and they all watched us - Gracie made me proud! I made many new friends and many of the Pro’s that trained in Texas said I should come train with them.” Carol recommends going to a Retriever Hunt Test and observing before entering your GWP. She also suggests training with bumpers before introducing ducks (or pheasants), teaching straight line retrieves, training in all types of water and making sure that your dog holds the bird until asked to release it. She says, “All Wires are noted for their versatility, so with a little different training, they should be able to do a Retriever Hunt Test. The different tests challenge the GWP and keep them mentally alert so they don’t become couch potatoes!” Congratulations to Carol and Gracie! Two of our own who have overcome adversity and met the challenge! ©2012 GWPCA WIRE NEWS
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