Utility Gundog Society
Novice Test and Special Puppy Test
Held at Pope’s Oak Farm on Saturday 16th June 2012
Report by Rosemary Saddler
Nearly 50 entries, but 4 Judges so although there was a bit of walking about between Tests, the day went smoothly and everyone finished in good time to enjoy an excellent BBQ and accompanying salad and puddings laid on by Mary Jennings and her willing band of helpers. Thank you Mary. Always a good move to be asked as one of the Judges to this annual Test as a good lunch is always provided !!!!!!
The weather, although dry, was exceptionally windy and grey skies made it feel quite cold. I suspect these conditions made the scent quite variable depending on whether it was out in the open or in cover and it made a difference on the dog getting on the right or the wrong side of the wind on some of the Tests.
I will describe the Novice Tests. I presume the Special Puppy had it a bit easier, maybe not !
Test 1 was a 4 dog walk-up. In an open field of grass with the wind blowing ferociously from behind and making the dogs fidgety. Full marks to the dummy thrower who consistently threw into the wind with a nice high, visible dummy out in the middle and some 300 yards away from the dogs. Most dogs held the mark well. The dog on the right went first and then moved up to the left hand end of the line. Just the one dummy in front for each dog. Only 3x20’s given but only one zero.
Test 2. A mark in the water followed by a blind up a track alongside the water and to the left. The mark in the water was relatively straightforward apart from the fact that the wind was pushing the dummy rapidly towards the further bank as the dogs were swimming towards it. The blind up the track was an exercise in stop whistle at the right moment. Again, only 3x20’s given out.
Test 3 was down in the woods. A mark with gunshot was thrown in rough ground in thick grass cover the other side of a ditch. This was followed by a blind at approximately 45 degrees over a bridge and up into the edge of the woodland. The mark caused some problems because by the time the dogs had gone down and over the ditch, they had forgotten the mark and that proved hard to find in the thick cover with little scent to help them. 5x20’s given here.
Test 4 was a double mark in very long grass. The first mark was a ‘memory’ as the second mark was retrieved first. Both marks depended on the dogs getting as much help as they could from the scent by working the wind from the right direction. 10x20’s given here but also 5x0’s.
Overall, the double mark showed a better ‘average’ score than either of the two mark plus blind Tests. Which points to a logical assumption that Novice dogs are confident on their marks but still a bit sticky on their blinds. Another point of interest is that the current trend is to do less tests (3/4 instead of 6) and to make each test a ‘double dummy’. Two marks, a mark and a blind, two blinds etc. Bearing in mind that the marks are usually split 10 for each dummy, this inevitably makes it harder to get a 20. The dog may have a weakness on blinds or forget the second mark because of the time lapse. Dog and Handler both have to concentrate and focus for longer and often just the change of direction to each dummy is off putting and confusing to a Novice dog. So when you are training do some work with double dummies in various combinations.
The Winner, Madge King, only dropped 3 marks and that was in the mark in water followed by blind. Madge won the run off with Sharon Belton who took second place. Sharon also dropped 3 marks but lost 2 in the walk-up and one in the mark in water followed by blind. Which makes you realise that each dog/handler relationship produces a different outcome. Nice to know they are not all robots !!!!! Two on 75 marks also had a run off for 3rd and 4th place. Again the marks showed individuality. Gemma Gyles got 16, 19, 20, 20 whereas Wendy Glue got 17, 20, 18, 20. Wendy got her own back the following day when she won out of Novice at the KSS Test.
Only one mark behind finishing on 74 were 3 COM awards, one of which was the youngest competitor in the Novice. Little Truly, handled by owner Louie Adshead, was still eligible for the Special Puppy but went in the Novice so that Louie could run her other dog, Bee, as well. Bee did not disgrace herself being only a point and a half behind. This pair are worth watching out for as this was only their 3rd ever Test. They can only get better.
The weather, although dry, was exceptionally windy and grey skies made it feel quite cold. I suspect these conditions made the scent quite variable depending on whether it was out in the open or in cover and it made a difference on the dog getting on the right or the wrong side of the wind on some of the Tests.
I will describe the Novice Tests. I presume the Special Puppy had it a bit easier, maybe not !
Test 1 was a 4 dog walk-up. In an open field of grass with the wind blowing ferociously from behind and making the dogs fidgety. Full marks to the dummy thrower who consistently threw into the wind with a nice high, visible dummy out in the middle and some 300 yards away from the dogs. Most dogs held the mark well. The dog on the right went first and then moved up to the left hand end of the line. Just the one dummy in front for each dog. Only 3x20’s given but only one zero.
Test 2. A mark in the water followed by a blind up a track alongside the water and to the left. The mark in the water was relatively straightforward apart from the fact that the wind was pushing the dummy rapidly towards the further bank as the dogs were swimming towards it. The blind up the track was an exercise in stop whistle at the right moment. Again, only 3x20’s given out.
Test 3 was down in the woods. A mark with gunshot was thrown in rough ground in thick grass cover the other side of a ditch. This was followed by a blind at approximately 45 degrees over a bridge and up into the edge of the woodland. The mark caused some problems because by the time the dogs had gone down and over the ditch, they had forgotten the mark and that proved hard to find in the thick cover with little scent to help them. 5x20’s given here.
Test 4 was a double mark in very long grass. The first mark was a ‘memory’ as the second mark was retrieved first. Both marks depended on the dogs getting as much help as they could from the scent by working the wind from the right direction. 10x20’s given here but also 5x0’s.
Overall, the double mark showed a better ‘average’ score than either of the two mark plus blind Tests. Which points to a logical assumption that Novice dogs are confident on their marks but still a bit sticky on their blinds. Another point of interest is that the current trend is to do less tests (3/4 instead of 6) and to make each test a ‘double dummy’. Two marks, a mark and a blind, two blinds etc. Bearing in mind that the marks are usually split 10 for each dummy, this inevitably makes it harder to get a 20. The dog may have a weakness on blinds or forget the second mark because of the time lapse. Dog and Handler both have to concentrate and focus for longer and often just the change of direction to each dummy is off putting and confusing to a Novice dog. So when you are training do some work with double dummies in various combinations.
The Winner, Madge King, only dropped 3 marks and that was in the mark in water followed by blind. Madge won the run off with Sharon Belton who took second place. Sharon also dropped 3 marks but lost 2 in the walk-up and one in the mark in water followed by blind. Which makes you realise that each dog/handler relationship produces a different outcome. Nice to know they are not all robots !!!!! Two on 75 marks also had a run off for 3rd and 4th place. Again the marks showed individuality. Gemma Gyles got 16, 19, 20, 20 whereas Wendy Glue got 17, 20, 18, 20. Wendy got her own back the following day when she won out of Novice at the KSS Test.
Only one mark behind finishing on 74 were 3 COM awards, one of which was the youngest competitor in the Novice. Little Truly, handled by owner Louie Adshead, was still eligible for the Special Puppy but went in the Novice so that Louie could run her other dog, Bee, as well. Bee did not disgrace herself being only a point and a half behind. This pair are worth watching out for as this was only their 3rd ever Test. They can only get better.
