Hunt-Point-Retrieve Dogs for Work and Showing (eBook)

Nigel Dear (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2014 | 1. Auflage
160 Seiten
Crowood (Verlag)
978-1-84797-964-3 (ISBN)

Infos

The Hunt, Point, Retrieve (HPR) breeds of dog are unique in the gundog world. They are extraordinary all-rounders and no other gundog has the sheer range of capabilities, in the show ring and in the field, as well as in the home as pets. Aimed at both the beginner and those with more experience, this invaluable book opens up all aspects of the fascinating Hunt, Point, Retrieve world for you and your dog to explore and enjoy. Topics covered: The different breeds of HPR dogs and their history and development; How to choose an HPR dog that meets an individual's needs; Showing your dog; the HPR dog in the field and basic training. The book examines in detail the working tests, spring pointing and field trials and is aimed at all those interested in gundogs. With advice on choosing the right breed, what to watch for, which breeder to choose, fitting the dog into your lifestyle and the basic training required and illustrated with 77 colour photographs and diagrams, it is the complete guide for those interested in the HPR breeds.

Textauszug

Chapter 4

Showing the HPR

Most of us have seen Crufts on the television, even if we are not acquainted with the rest of the dog show world, but you will quickly find that it is very big business indeed. And while Crufts is the epitome of all the shows and the largest dog show in the world, there are many others to go to around the country.

Hands-on assessment: the judge must be able to assess the underlying structure of the dog.

For many, the dog show is a fun event where they can see lots of beautiful animals and have a good day out wandering round the rings and browsing in the many trade stands present at the larger shows. For the breeder, however, the show has a different meaning: here, the results of their breeding programme are scrutinized by their peers, with success in the ring confirming the correctness of their line and being the stamp of approval that they are doing the right thing. Those engaged in serious breeding – that is, for the good of the breed, and not just as a money-making opportunity (which is the most reprehensible motive) – take great care with regard to the development of their stock, and strive to ensure that the best characteristics are maintained through successive generations while trying to ensure that any genetic faults are minimized, if not eliminated.

The HPR breeds are very popular at shows: the number of exhibits increases year on year, with organizers having to accommodate ever-larger class sizes. As a working gundog breed, the HPR is classed as a dual-purpose dog in that it is both worked on the shooting field and shown in the ring. In an ideal world, all the dogs shown would be working dogs, as was in fact the case when Crufts first came into being, and which is why it takes place in March – a short time after the end of the shooting season; today, however, the number of dogs that do both is relatively small, and the great majority of those appearing in the show ring have little or nothing to do with shooting, and will never be used as working gundogs.

TYPES OF SHOW

Shows are not all about breeders, however, and the majority of those who exhibit their dog do it for the sheer fun and challenge. Maybe they start at a local event, or attend ringcraft classes regularly, as much as a social occasion as anything else; they may experience the excitement of winning, and moving up a level to exhibit at championship shows – and maybe, just maybe, the thrill of gaining a challenge certificate with show champion title is now a realistic goal. Showing your dog can be a fascinating hobby in its own right.

A Word on Docking

Tail docking is not illegal. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 prohibits the showing of docked animals where the public pays to enter, but does not prohibit the traditional docking of certain bona fide working dogs. As the vast majority of those bred will not be worked, they will no longer be able to be docked legally, with the inevitable consequence that the undocked, long-tailed version of the breed will be the norm in the show ring. As docking is done to prevent damage to the dog’s tail when it is working in the field, it follows that dogs that remain undocked will be at greater health risk if they are worked; those who work their dogs will continue to dock in the interests of the health of their dog, but by doing so will be barred from the show ring – except, of course, at those shows where the public does not pay to enter.

Vets can dock pups before they are five days old, but will require documentation to support the claim that they will be used for working. The production of a shotgun certificate by the owner of the stud dog, or a letter from a gamekeeper, will usually be sufficient.

Single Breed Shows

As the name suggests, single breed shows are for a particular breed, organized by a breed club or society. Judges at these shows are usually breed specialists, with many years’ experience of showing and breeding these dogs; and there will certainly be other breed specialists present, giving you the chance to talk to and learn from experts.

Companion Dog Shows

The companion dog show is a relaxed event, held purely for fun and often associated with a fund-raising event. Such a show is not held under Kennel Club rules, which means that the show is free to exhibit any dog. There may be breed classes, gundogs for example, as well as ‘Dog which looks most like its owner’ or ‘Dog with the biggest grin’ to emphasize the fun element. Quite often you will find these shows at local fêtes, or as part of larger shows at your local showground. Many of the dog owners who have entered these shows have been inspired with enthusiasm, and this has led them to the show world, and the beginning of a new hobby.

Open Shows

Open shows are held by dog clubs and the breed clubs or societies. As there are far more dog clubs than breed clubs, a great many open shows are held throughout the year. They are regarded as the training ground on the way to competing in the championship shows, and are run in exactly the same way as a championship show, under Kennel Club rules and with KC-approved judges.

Championship Shows

The championship show (of which Crufts is one) is where a dog can be awarded a challenge certificate (CC or ‘ticket’). The CC is the highest award available, and winning three CCs under three different judges will qualify your dog as a show champion and allow you to use the sought-after ‘Sh. Ch’ prefix (gundogs use the ‘Show Champion’ – ‘Sh. Ch’ – prefix unless they have gained a field trial award, or SGWC, which confers full ‘champion’ status). Championship shows are run by dog clubs and breed societies under Kennel Club rules; they are also the place to qualify your dog for Crufts. The championship show is a ‘benched’ show: a ‘bench’ is really a small, three-sided pen located close to the ring where you will be showing, and where your dog must be exhibited when it is not in the ring. On acceptance of your entry you will be allocated a number, and this will correspond to the bench place where your dog will be exhibited during the show.

Show Gundog Working Certificate (SGWC)

To achieve full champion status, a gundog needs to have a recognized working qualification to provide proof of its natural working ability – these qualifications are gained in the field at field trials and include any award, including a Certificate of Merit (COM) or the Show Gundog Working Certificate. The requirements to pass a SGWC are less rigorous than those required to gain a field trial award, but the dog must still show natural working ability, and be able to retrieve game to hand; absolute steadiness to flush and shot is not required. The SGWC may be gained at a field trial or at a show gundog working day.

To enter a field trial as a SGWC competitor you will need to contact the field trial secretary of the society running the trial concerned, and ask if they will accept a SGWC entry; if so, you will need to obtain an entry form to enter the field trial,as any other competitor. An entry of over twelve dogs will trigger a ballot, from which the final twelve will be decided. The field trial secretary will convey the result of the draw to all entrants.

If you are lucky enough to get a ‘run’, the field trial secretary will already have had the agreement of the judges to an SGWC entry, but when you are called into line you will need to tell them so they know how to assess your performance correctly. It is worth noting that although the standard of the dog’s performance to achieve an SGWC is less than that required to achieve a field trial award, if your dog performs with sufficient merit it can earn a field trial award proper.

Finding a Show

The two weekly newspapers Dog World and Our Dogs carry comprehensive advertisements for all types of dog show, and can be ordered from your local newsagent; your local newspaper may also carry advertisements. Many of the larger show events held on your local show-ground often hold smaller dog shows, and you will often find show schedules laid out at your ringcraft club.

Getting Started

The best and easiest way to get started is to join the local ringcraft club. These classes are usually held in the local village hall, so a good place to start is to enquire there, as well as asking your local vet. Ringcraft classes teach you how to ‘stand’ your dog – how to best present it to the judges – and how to run it round the ring so its natural movement is shown to best advantage. It takes time and effort to learn how to present a dog at a show: you and your dog must make a happy team, and exhibiting correctly is not as easy as it may first appear. Ringcraft will teach you how to present your dog so that its finer points are brought out, and how its not-so-fine points can be, if not disguised, at least turned to better advantage.

The classes are very sociable events for both you and the dog, and it certainly pays to socialize your dog as early as possible so that it becomes accustomed to being around many dogs, and to the strange sounds that it will find at the bigger shows. Many ringcraft clubs run companion dog shows or matches for members to gauge how they are progressing. Before going to ringcraft, your dog must already have had some basic obedience training (sit, stay, heel): this you can gain at local obedience or training classes, which again you can find out about by asking your local vet.

JUDGING

The Breed Standard

The starting point for all show judges is the breed standard. All Kennel Club-recognized breeds have a breed standard, which is a detailed...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 30.11.2014
• Verlagsort: London
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Freizeit / Hobby ► Angeln / Jagd
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik ► Tiere / Tierhaltung
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Sport
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften
• Themenwelt: Recht / Steuern ► Öffentliches Recht
• ISBN-10: 1-84797-964-5 / 1847979645
• ISBN-13: 978-1-84797-964-3 / 9781847979643