NATC - Small Game Hunting Test (continued)

  1. GENERAL
  1. The Teckel is ideally suited to the hunting of small game due to its size and ability to give voice when trailing or flushing game.
  2. All Teckel must have passed the gun steadiness test prior to taking this test.
  1. There is no minimum or maximum age limit for taking this test.
  2. This test will be conducted in one of two formats. In the novice hunter format the game will be flushed for the dog. In the advanced hunter format, the dog will be expected to search and flush its own game. A dog must successfully pass the novice hunter to take the advanced hunter test.
  3. The number of dogs that can be judged depends on the availability of game. If an entry limit is being imposed, then this information must be included in the premium list.
  4. This test can be conducted on any wild game. For the novice hunter test the primary game species will be noted in the premium list.
  5. This test can be conducted at any time of the year so long as applicable state and Federal game laws are observed.
  6. Two judges and a witness, selected in accordance with DTK rules, are required for this test. The witness may be another judge, apprentice judge or NATC member in good standing. The two judges must agree on the overall evaluation of each dog.
  7. The test may be conducted on fenced dog training grounds or in natural unfenced habitat. A test site that provides adequate visibility so that the judges can assess the dog’s work and can differentiate whether a dog is Sichtlaut or Spurlaut is essential.
  8. The results and the conditions of the grounds, weather and vegetation will be recorded.
  9. Dogs may take the test as often as their owner wishes.

2. NOVICE HUNTER

A. Implementation of the novice hunter test.

  1. Prior to the start of the test, a running order will be randomly drawn. The order may be modified by the test committee to facilitate the running of the test. If more than one dog per handler is allowed per the premium list, then two dogs with the same handler will not be run back to back. Dogs and handlers must be ready when it is their turn to run. At the judge’s discretion a dog that is not present when called may be moved to the bottom of the running order and the next dog in line run instead.
  2. The judges and helpers walk as drivers in a line across the search area. The handlers and dogs to be tested follow some distance behind so the dogs do not see the game when it is flushed. A dog will not be released on the line of quarry that the dog has seen.
  3. With the exception of the dog that has been released on quarry, all other dogs in the field must be kept quiet at all times. Dogs that are disruptive or barking out of excitement will be warned once and if the behavior continues will be dismissed from the test.
  4. After quarry has been flushed, the handler, upon a judge's instructions, will go to the scent line and release the dog at that point. For the release a leash or a release cord may be used. Since it is possible that there may be other game scent in the area the handler may guide the dog by voice and hand signals until in the judges’ opinion the dog is started on the track. The judges are permitted to assist the dog and handler in acquiring the scent. Once the dog has acquired the scent the handler is not permitted to guide the dog any farther. The handler may follow the judges or remain at the release point.
  5. Dogs that make an effort but nevertheless fail the test on their first opportunity will be given another attempt. If the dog fails through no fault of its own then this will not be counted as an attempt. Ex. Quarry goes to ground before the dog has an opportunity to adequately exhibit the qualities that are under judgment.
  6. Additional game will be given on a rotational basis to ensure that dogs do not have all their test attempts under the least desirable scenting conditions. After each attempt the dog shall be moved to the end of the running order. If time allows and at the discretion of the judges, dogs that have not passed the test on one of their first two attempts may be given the opportunity to run again later. Ultimately the number of attempts allowed during any given test will be limited.
  7. The novice hunter test will be judged on a pass/fail basis.

B. Evaluation of the Work

  1. A dog is expected to be quiet and obedient while waiting its turn to run.
  2. Once released the dog is expected to trail the game, vocally announce its progress and flush the game if the quarry remains in or enters cover.
  3. If the dog is not working the scent line or shows no evidence of giving voice within a reasonable time frame, then the judges will request that the dog be picked up. The dog will have failed on this run and will no longer be under judgment.
  4. If the dog has adequately demonstrated its trailing/flushing abilities then the handler will be asked to recall/pick-up their dog. The dog will be judged on its obedience to commands. The handler is expected to recall the dog within a reasonable period. A whistle or similar device may be used to call the dog. A shock collar is not allowed. Inability to recall the dog within a reasonable time period will result in failing the test.

C. Requirements for a “Pass”.

  1. The dog is expected to trail the game for a prescribed distance. The dog must clearly demonstrate that it gives voice on a scent line, and the dog must be obedient to its handler. Ultimately the dog’s performance must be of a quality that would be useful in hunting.

3. ADVANCED HUNTER

This test is comprised of field obedience (three exercises) and flushing work. Field obedience will be tested first. If any of the obedience exercises are failed then the test will be terminated. In total there are three exercises and three working behaviors that will be evaluated. All six exercises/behaviors must be passed successfully to pass the test.

A. Field Obedience

1. Heeling

Heeling shall be tested by having the handler meander through a wooded or brushy area with the Teckel either on a loose leash or unleashed. The dog has to follow his handler by his side, either on the loose leash or unleashed, and has to follow without any pulling on the leash, running forward or falling behind. Obstacles have to be surmounted in a dexterous manner or have to be circumnavigated.

2. Down/Stay and Behavior during Gun Fire

The dogs shall be tested one at a time. It is up to the handler whether to command the dog to the down/stay on his backpack or a piece of clothing. They can be leashed or unleashed during their down/stay.

If leashed, it is up to the handler to tie up his/her dog so that the leash hangs loose and has more than one meter of slack. If unleashed, the leash and collar (except warning collar) have to be removed. The collar and leash may be placed in front of or next to, but not on the dog.

After the command down/stay, the handler will leave the dog and go to a designated location out of sight of the dog. After about two minutes the handler or a helper will then shoot twice into the air in short succession. The dog is not permitted to leave his position. If he barks, repeatedly whines or leaves his place more than one meter, then he has failed the test.

The judges shall watch the dog from a hidden point and take at least 5 minutes to evaluate the ability of the dog to stay. Training aides are not permitted. Shots fired to make the dogs accustomed to the situation are not allowed.

3. Stationary Behavior during a Drive

During a drive, the Teckel must remain calm next to his handler. He is not allowed to repeatedly whine, bark or jump up at the handler and is not allowed to leave his place next to his handler. During this part of the test ample distance must be kept between the different dogs.

B. Flushing

1. Implementation of the advanced hunter test.

a)The dog under judgment will be released and directed to search an area. The dog should leave their handler immediately and search thoroughly and with perseverance for game while checking back periodically with their handler. The handler should work with the dog to ensure that the dog searches areas of likely cover. The judges may request the handler to call in the dog and direct it to a new search area. The judges and the handler shall endeavor to remain within sight/hearing of the dog. Every dog has to demonstrate approximately 5 minutes of pure searching. If the dog finds game within a very short time, then another area will also be searched. The independent search is not allowed to run past 15 minutes without any sight or hearing contact between dog and handler/judges.

b)Once game is flushed, the dog is expected to pursue the game in a vocal manner and the handler is not permitted to guide the dog any further. The handler may follow the judges. If the dog loses the line of the quarry, then it should make a diligent effort to regain the line, starting at its point of loss. A dog will be given a reasonable time to demonstrate the qualities that are under judgment. Once the judges are satisfied with the dog’s work or if the dog has not within a reasonable time frame exhibited sufficient work, the judges will request that the dog be recalled. Inability to recall the dog within a reasonable time period will result in failing the test.

2. Evaluation/Scoring of the Work

Flushing -

The Lz of 4 is only given if the dog searches diligently and with perseverance for game while still maintaining occasional contact with their handler. Dogs that search uncontrollably far and carelessly, with little contact to the handler, or that search close by and not independently (within 10 meters) can, at most, receive an Lz of 2.

Trailing -

The Lz of 4 is only given if the dog confidently works the scent with minimal interruptions and without losing the scent line. If the dog loses the line it has to demonstrate, by working in circles/spirals, that it wants to find the scent again and work it. Dogs that overshoot the scent line and keep searching straight ahead will get a lower score.

Voicing -

The Lz of 4 forvoicing is only given if the dog is continuously vocal on the scent line (Spurlaut). Pauses in giving tongue because the dog has overshot the line and has to look for it again are not faults for voicing, since the dog is only supposed to be vocal when actively working the scent. In addition, it has to be noted that only the presence of voice is taken under consideration, not the tone of the bark. Dogs that open up when they are also off the scent will not be awarded Lz 4. If due to visibility it is unclear whether the dog is voicing the entire time on scent or if part of the voicing is on sight then the maximum Lz assigned should be a 3. Dogs that are only observed voicing on sight (Sichtlaut) cannot receive an Lz higher than 2.

If the judges suspect that the dog is Waidlaut, i.e. opening up from excitement when no game is present, they have to test that dog in an area without any game. If their suspicion proves to be correct, the test is failed.

C.Performance Evaluation

  1. The evaluation is accomplished with Multipliers (Fachwertziffern) and Scores (Leistungsziffern).

Appointed Multipliers /

Multiplier

a) Search/Flushing Behavior / 7
b) Trailing / 6
c) Voicing / 6
d) Heeling / Leashed
Unleashed / 1
2
e) “Down/Stay” and Gunfire / Leashed
Unleashed / 1
2
f) Drive Behavior / Leashed
Unleashed / 1
2

Performance is evaluated as follows:

Ungenügend (unsatisfactory)score 0

Mangelhaft (insufficient)score 1

Genügend (satisfactory)score 2

Gut (good ) score 3

Sehr gut (very good)score 4

  1. The dog must demonstrate ability in all of the above test parts. If the dog fails in one area - receives an “unsatisfactory” - the entire test is considered failed. If no game is found, then the test is considered failed.

D.Prize Allocation

  1. In order to receive a Prize I a dog must demonstrate very good search/flushing work. In at least one area he must find game and he must attain at least the following scores or points:

Activity / Score / Multiplier / Points
Search/Flushing Behavior / 4 / 7 / 28
Trailing / 3 / 6 / 18
Voicing / 4 / 6 / 24
Sub total: / 70
Obedience / 10
Total: / 80
  1. To receive a Prize II, a dog must demonstrate good flushing work. In at least one area he must find game and he must attain at least the following scores or points:

Activity / Score / Multiplier / Points
Search/Flushing Behavior / 3 / 7 / 21
Trailing / 3 / 6 / 18
Voicing / 3 / 6 / 18
Sub total: / 57
Obedience / 8
Total: / 65
  1. For a Prize III, a dog must demonstrate sufficient flushing work. In at least one area he must find game and he must attain at least the following scores or points:

Activity / Score / Multiplier / Points
Search/Flushing Behavior / 2 / 7 / 14
Trailing / 2 / 6 / 12
Voicing / 2 / 6 / 12
Sub total: / 38
Obedience / 6
Total: / 44