The Vale & West Club hosted another highly successful Gundog Working Test this past weekend, drawing handlers and their dogs from across the region. With spells of warm sunshine with a welcome breeze, conditions were ideal for both competitors and spectators.
Prizes were courtesy of our very kind sponsors Muntjac Trading and Clicker Gundog. A huge thank you to them and please do check out their websites, they have a huge variety on offer
https://www.muntjactrading.com
Spaniels and Retrievers
Both the spaniels and retrievers were very kindly judged by Jeff Roberts, who gave up his day to come and judge for us. Jeff was so encouraging, putting all of the handlers at ease and giving lots of training advice and tips to each participant.
Spaniels
The spaniel group took part in four tests altogether, covering both hunting and retrieve.
The first test assessed their hunting and was scored out of 60. The handler was asked to cast their dog off to hunt. After a period of hunting with their handlers a shot was fired and the dog was expected to stop to either shot or whistle. A marked retrieve was then thrown and the dog sent on the judge’s say. The dog was then cast off to hunt again until the judge asked the handler to recall their dog.
The second test was scored out of 20. A marked retrieve with shot was thrown to land on the track in the woods. The handler was directed by the judge to send their dog. They were then asked to send their dog for a blind retrieve at 180 degrees along the hedge line.
The third test was also scored out of 20. A shot was fired and dummy thrown into the jump box. The handler then turned their dog and heeled them away before turning to face uphill, at 90 degrees from the first dummy. A shot and mark was thrown and the handler was instructed to send their dog for the mark. This was followed by sending their dog for the memory retrieve in the jump box.
Finally, all dogs had to complete a marked retrieve out of the river with a distraction mark thrown when the dog was on the return. This was scored out of 10.
Retrievers
Test One: Double Mark
The opening test featured a double mark. The first dummy was thrown down a straight line at approximately 60 yards. The handler and dog then turned 90 degrees to watch the fall of a second dummy. Dogs were required to retrieve the second dummy first before turning back for the longer initial mark. This test demanded memory, visual focus, and responsive directional control.
Test Two: Mark and a Blind
The second test matched the Hunt Retriever test. A marked retrieve with shot was thrown to land on the track in the woods. Having retrieved that, handlers then had to send their dog for a blind retrieve at 180 degrees along the hedge line.
Test Three: Memory and Direction Over Mixed Terrain
The third test began with a mark thrown into a bale box, creating a memory retrieve to be collected later. The handler heeled the dog away from the site, then turned at a right angle to observe a second dummy land beyond a wide swathe of longer grass and onto a mown strip that acted as both visual and scent interference. This mark was collected first—testing the dogs’ confidence across a changing surface and distance. Afterward, handlers turned their dogs back for the memory at the box, requiring focused control and clear communication.
Test Four: Long Water Retrieve with distraction
The final challenge was a single marked retrieve cast into open water at an extended distance. A clean entry, purposeful swim, smooth pickup, and focused delivery were the key components here with an added distraction mark thrown as the dog returned.
HPRs
Our HPR judge for the day was Nigel Deer. The first test for the HPR dogs attracted 40 marks and demonstrated the dogs ability to hunt a large area of open paddock alongside the River Avon. There was a reasonable amount of wind and the dogs were tested on their abilities into the wind and with a back wind. Most handlers could have trusted their dogs natural abilities rather than trying to manage the hunt pattern as they all worked better when left to do what they have been bred for.
The second test was a single mark into the river. This was new to some of the younger dogs but all relished the cooling dip and we didn’t lose any dummies !
The 3rd test was a long marked retrieve uphill. The dogs needed to be steady until sent and distance perception was harder due to the slope and long grass cover.
The final test was a memory. The dog needed to heel up to a marker, then return halfway and sit on command. The handler returned to the start point and sent the dog back to the dummy.
Reflections on the Day
While many competitors were still early in their working test journeys, their willingness to take feedback on board and engage with the experience was evident. Judges Nigel Deer and Jeff Roberts kindly offered guidance and encouragement throughout, turning tough moments into training insights. The sense of sportsmanship and shared enthusiasm continued all day, true to the Vale & West Club’s commitment to developing both handler and dog in a welcoming environment.
Congratulations to all handlers who took part. Your efforts, whether marked by success or lessons to be taken forward, are the foundation of the working dog community we all value.
A selection of photos are below but do check out this link for more
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gE2Nfo0uALczNaB7FbKL7nKnylsGqxjV
