German Shorthair, Hunt Tests
 

I am new to the hunting dog world, very new. I have a few pretty specific questions.

I would like to go for my dog's JH title this year, and am curious what is involved. From what I have seen you have to go out 4 times and there are four different elements that they are judged on. Are they judged on each element on the separate times, or on all 4 each time? Also, can you finish a title in one weekend, or can you finish a leg each day or how does that work?

Second, from what I see you are training the dog to whoa so that you can flush the bird, shoot, then the dog goes and gets the bird. Is that correct and is that how it is in Hunt Test's field trials? I was always under the impression that the dog went on point, waited for you, then flushed on command.

Any advise, answers would be well appreciated.

RE: German Shorthair, Hunt Tests
 

As far as getting your dog the JR title you can do it in 2 weekends= 4 days, finishing 1 leg each day. As a jr he needs to point at least 50% of the total birds. If he flushes 2 and points 2=pass, if he flushes 2 and points one=fail. Trainability (he comes when commanded), pointing (locks up or sometimes you can get by with a "flash point", and having the dog do what it should (work the field)without constant direction from you is key. If you have to constantly give direction it is you doing the work and the dog isn't using his nose.
In jr hunt tests you do not kill the bird, you fire a blank pistol when the bird flushes. When it comes to Sr. tests the dog has to whoa, point and retrieve to handand do it with little direction. I am not sure about honoring in the Sr. level, but in masters your only purpose as handleris to shoot the bird and the dog does everything on his own. If you have other questions I will pm you the info needed to contact a reputable GSP and Weimaraner breeder I know who has had dogs ranked in the top 5 of the nation. He is jhelping me prepare my shorthair for his jr title this spring.