About the Sport

Pointing Breeds
Pointing breeds include: Pointers, German Shorthair pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Brittany, Vizslas, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Irish/English/Gordon Setters, Weimaraners and Spionone Italianos.

Hunt Tests/ Competitions
AKC Hunting Tests evaluate a dog's hunting abilities on different elements of pointing, retrieving or flushing. The dog's ability to perform is judged against a standard of perfection established by the AKC Regulations; theoretically, every dog can be a winner!

Dogs receiving Qualifying Scores at a number of tests achieve titles of Junior Hunter (J.H.), Senior Hunter (S.H.) and Master Hunter (M.H.); each successive title requires more skill. If you have a good hunting dog, you probably would be able to earn a Junior Hunter title with only a moderate amount of work. Your success in Hunting Tests should lead you further into the sport.

The dogs are run in pairs (braces) around a course on which birds are released so that they can demonstrate their ability to find birds, point staunchly and retrieve the downed birds. The eligible Pointing Breeds are: Brittanys, English Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Pointers, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, Vizslas, Weimaraners, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.

An Introduction to Hunt Tests:
In many parts of the country hunting seasons are short and, for most of the year, hunting dogs are not used in the field except for some training. Their owners looked about for some type of performance event other than field trials. By the time the trial requirements transcended by far the performance needed in an ordinary day's hunt. These hunters, as well as some former field trialers, and people who only showed their dogs, were interested in a program that would more closely approximate conditions they would likely find while hunting.

The two basic features of the hunting tests are:

• They approximate actual hunting situations.
• They are not competitive. Dogs compete against a standard to qualify for one of three titles instead of competing against each other for placements.

Separate Hunt Tests are performed for Retrievers, Spaniels, and Pointing breeds.

Hunting tests provide an opportunity for owners to test the merits of and evaluate the abilities of dogs in the field in order to determine their suitability and ability as hunting companions. Unlike field trials, owners need not be experienced hunters. While the owner may be required to carry an empty shotgun to help further simulate a true hunting situation, designated "gunners" perform all shooting.

However, Hunt Tests are not merely a "City Slickers" version of Field Trials. Hunting tests are designed to evaluate the dog's natural hunting abilities and training. The most distinctive difference between trailing and testing is that trials evaluate overall performance on a relative or competitive basis; tests evaluate the individual components of performance in a noncompetitive scenario.

A wide variety of owners have found the hunting tests appealing because of the three levels of accomplishment: the basic entry level of the Junior, the intermediate level of the Senior, and full refinement expected in the highest level, the Master hunting test.

Earning an AKC title is more than a certificate to hang on the wall. It is an enduring mark of your dog's accomplishments.

Learn more about AKC Hunt Tests

	Testimonial: "I encourage other agencies, organizations, and clubs to utilize Jim's skills in the training and handling of hunting dogs. I consider him to be one of the leaders in this sport on the West Coast. " Scott R. Sewell Wildlife Habitat Assistant I Game Bird Heritage & Wildlife Outreach Programs