On 13/7/24 FCRS held the first of two Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate assessment days that have been organised for this summer. Today we were at Wisborough Green in West Sussex, hosted by Woodruff Gundogs. Our two assessors, Liz Barnes and Julie Elborough, were both friendly and supportive and did a super job putting handlers at their ease and explaining each exercise to them. The ground at Wisborough Green, home of Woodruff Gundogs, was perfect for the assessments with jumps, water and a variety of cover available. 10 dogs were entered for the assessment – seven Flatcoated Retrievers, one Golden Retriever and two Labrador Retrievers.
The aim of the Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate is to provide credible proof that a handler and dog are a competent partnership and ready for the shooting field. Nobody “fails” the assessment, although dogs may be assessed as “not yet ready”.
The dogs were tested for Control, Obedience, Temperament, Hunting and Retrieving. Standard Canvass dummies were used throughout. The day started with the group walking together with all the dogs off lead and under control of their handlers, walking to heel, focused on their handler and ignoring other dogs – assessing temperament, obedience and control.
There was a simple marked retrieve from water – which assessed willingness to enter water and swim, control, ability to retrieve and deliver securely to their handler.
The dogs were then required to complete a marked retrieve from over an obstacle – assessing control, willingness to negotiate an obstacle, hunting, and the ability to retrieve and return to their handler.
A simulated drive was held – assessing control, steadiness, hunting, marking ability, obedience, delivery, and ability to retrieve and return to handler. The group divided into two, with half beating and half waiting to retrieve, as if with standing guns. During the drive dummies were thrown accompanied by shot, and the recorded sound of pheasants and the noise made by beaters moving birds through cover. At the end of the drive, the waiting dogs were sent in turn to retrieve a dummy thrown during the drive. The exercise was then repeated with the dogs’ roles reversed.
Finally several handlers and their dogs were positioned close together while a mini drive took place: shots are fired and dummies are thrown in front. In turn, each of the dogs were left sitting whilst their handlers collected the dummies – assessing temperament, obedience, control (and of course the handlers’ ability to mark!
After lunch and paperwork were completed awards were made. Everyone received a feedback sheet and Liz and Julie shared some advice and words of wisdom about training dogs for the field. Of the 10 dogs entered nine passed and one was assessed as not yet ready; an excellent result. Those passing were presented with a Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate lanyard. The award of a Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate on dummies will be recorded against their dog’s record on the Kennel Club database and they will receive a Working Gundog Certificate in the post from the Kennel Club.
Our congratulations go to all those who passed today. It was particularly pleasing to have three flatcoats and handlers coming forward to successfully take their Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate today having completed the FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Level 1 training this spring and summer.
Hazel Flindt and Springshott Timothy
Viv Bowen and Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW
Melanie Dick and Guangxi Snow Bud
Our next Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate assessment day will be held at Burton Hastings on 28th July. You don’t have to have a Flatcoat to enter (all retrieving breeds are welcome) but we love it when you do! Contact the Working Test Secretary for more information.
Below photos kindly supplied by Sarah Young.
