The Vale & West Gundog Club held a KC Working Gundog Certificate Assessment Day on dummies on Sunday 23rd June at Loxwood, West Sussex.
We were blessed with warm weather on the day and greeted with refreshments before being introduced to our host, Jules Morgan; Judges Vivienne Gatter and
Emily Wickham, and helpers Charlotte and Pete.
Participants were a mixture of spaniels, labs and one hpr.
Formalities over, we walked through the lovely ground to our first assessed exercise, with the judges assessing the dogs and handlers for general control and temperament of the dogs with other dogs.
1. A hunting/retrieving exercise.
A group of dogs at either end of a drive in long grass and cover with shot and dummies thrown. One group walked towards the ongoing drive, spaniels hunting the cover, while the other group watched and marked, remaining steady and quiet.
After the drive, the waiting dogs were asked to retrieve two of the marked dummies, following which the initial group then hunted the cover for remaining dummies. The groups then swapped ends and roles for another drive (my lab girl found this opportunity for group-hunting very exciting!).
2. A water retrieve
Which was much appreciated by the dogs on a warm day! The dogs were required to remain steady while a dummy was thrown out, and to enter the water to retrieve the marked dummy and return it to hand.
3. A retrieve across a barrier
A marked retrieve across a ditch in rough grass.
4. A steadiness exercise
Where the dogs were required to sit quietly and watch a drive with shot into a wooded area. They then had to remain seated and quiet while the handlers retrieved the dummies beautifully.
The dogs were observed during the exercises for general obedience – heelwork, response to any commands/whistle etc, and any noise.
Assessment over, we walked back to the barn for lunch and delicious cake, kindly provided by Pete’s wife, Debbie, and a debriefing of the days events.
A hot and happy unanimous vote of thanks to Jules and the judges, helpers and participants for a challenging and very rewarding day!
