in not be led to them, demonstrate an intelligent use of the wind and terrain in locating game and have an accurate nose. A MH dog must show intensity on point and hunt for its handler at all times at a range suitable for a handler on foot. To receive a MH title, dogs are judged against a standard and they must qualify five times with a Senior Hunter (SH) or six times without a SH. German Wirehaired Pointers must also pass a Water Test in order to receive their MH title, which in some parts of the country are hard to find. In MH tests, dogs are run in braces and a dog must back his brace mate, so training with another dog is a must. Master Hunting tests can be easier to find than NAVHDA tests since there are hundreds of AKC pointing dog clubs across the country administrating tests. Finally we have the Field Championship (FC) title. Not only does your dog have to possess all the skills to be absolutely steady from wing, shot and fall, and be able to retrieve, but your dog must have a big stylish run to him while staying under its handler’s control at all times. For GWP’s especially, you cannot find this at every corner, since GWP’s were bred to be rugged versatile hunting dogs that would work closely for the hunter on foot. A large portion of field trials are completed on horseback, adding another layer to the complexity of training. Also with field trials, dogs are judged against other dogs. So with all else being equal, just a flicker of the tail can be the difference between a first place and second place finish. You just have to hope that your judge is not partial to the pretty point of an English Setter or Pointer over your rugged GWP. If all of this was not enough, in field trials you will also compete against more professional handlers than in MH and NAVHDA which are not competition sports. In field trials, a dog must show a keen desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive style of running, and must demonstrate not only intelligence in quartering and in seeking objectives but the ability to find game. They should use the wind and terrain in locating game, have an accurate nose and they must back or honor a dog whenever the opportunity presents itself, a command can be given if needed. To be recorded a Field Champion, you must win 10 points with 3 of those points won in a major
GWP FIELD EVENTS
event; you must win four points in a retrieving stake. And let’s not forget about that pesky water test again. Field Trials can be easier to find since there are hundreds of AKC pointing dogs competitions across the country, but you can find yourself traveling to different locations chasing that major win. So, we have broken down the differences between NAVHDA UT, Master Hunter and Field Championship to the most basic levels. All three tests require your dogs to be steady from the wing, shot to fall with retrieving skills, so a good deal of training is needed before any of the certifications can be pursued. Now for my answer which title, NAVHDA UT Prize I, Master Hunter or Field Championship is harder to obtain…? I will e-mail my “Internet buddies” later. Special Thanks to Charlie Kissinger and John Daly for helping me with this article.
©2010 GWPCA WIRE NEWS
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