Started Retriever - SR
Started Hunting Retriever - SR
The purpose of the Started Hunting Retriever Field Test is to bring started dogs along as hunters.
Desire and cooperation with the handler are important factors. In the Started category, instinct is
more in evidence than obedience. This is a chance for a dog to be evaluated without the high
expectations of a finished retriever and it should be given a little leeway in obedience. By the same
token, he should show signs of trying to behave, understanding basic commands, as well as the
ability to perform basic marked retrieves. There are many things to see in a single retrieve. "DOES
HE WANT TO DO IT?" is one of the most important questions at this stage. Is he a "High Flying Go
Getter" or does he mope around sniffing, urinating and eating the grass? Does he snatch up the
bird, or does he nose it, mouth it, drop it and urinate on the next tree? How is he marking? There
are different meanings in missing a mark. If a dog hunts short of a fall it probably indicates lack of
training as much as poor marking. Chances are, he is hunting where he thought he saw it fall,
without knowledge of high cover or practice at depth perception. If a dog blows right through a mark
and hunts high and wide leagues beyond the fall, his marking could be suspect. Or maybe he just
did not see it. How is the line of sight at the dog's level? A judge who is setting up a marking test
must make sure the dog viewing the scene can see the fall, and this includes working out problems
with the background and the sun. A Started dog should hunt the area of the fall until he finds the
bird. The area of the fall expands with the difficulty of the mark. In evaluating Started dogs, a judge
should start with a relatively simple mark and work towards increasing the difficulty with each
series of tests. This is not to say the first test should be less than "the standard" or the last test
harder than "the standard," but a dog and his handler should be given a chance to work into the
academic situation of a Field Test. Even a good dog, cold out of a crate, will not perform up to his
capabilities. Give him a chance to wake up and show his stuff. In the Started event, look primarily
for instinct, and enough obedience to get by in a hunting situation. Also look for courage but do not
confuse desire or lack of training with lack of courage. If a dog runs around the edge of a cold water
pond, he may be trying to get to the fall faster rather than avoiding the water. Started dogs should be
introduced to guns, boats, decoys and any equipment or situations they might encounter during a
day afield. The Started event ribbon (passing the standard) proves basic desire, tractability, instinct,
control and marking ability in a hunting situation.
Testing Guidelines
for Started level tests - SR
NOTE: The passages enclosed in parentheses are additional guidelines for judges.
SECTION 1: A Started Hunting Retriever Field Test shall consist of only (5) single bird marking tests
at least two of which shall be marked water retrieves and at least two of which shall be marked land
retrieves. The fifth marked retrieve may be either land or water.
(The purpose of the Started Hunting Retriever Field Test is to bring started dogs along as hunters.
Desire and cooperation with the handler are important factors. It should consist of basic tests to
evaluate the dog's natural and basic trained abilities.)
(The judges shall evaluate the dog' s temperament, as displayed in its spontaneous behavior, in
order to assess its suitability as a hunting companion. Hyperactivity, wildness, jumping about,
barking, excessive disobedience, lethargy or lack of interest shall be marked down. Repeated
evidence shall be justification for elimination.)
SECTION 2: A dog is required to be steady at the point of origin; however, it may have a leash, line or
slip lead around its neck and/or may be held by one hand only, to assist in achieving steadiness.
No dog shall be permitted to make a retrieve wearing a collar, leash, line or similar device. A
controlled break shall not fail a dog but shall be marked down. If a dog is immediately brought
under control, a controlled break is a minor infraction. (As soon as the dog leaves the point of origin
and manifests an intent to make the retrieve, without being so ordered, it must be stopped.)
SECTION 3: A Started dog is not required to deliver to hand. However, the dog must deliver the bird
within a reasonable radius of the point of origin which is easily accessible to the handler. Therefore,
it is not appropriate to require the dog to deliver the bird into a boat or blind. (The dog should return
to the handler without delay. Moderate voice or whistle commands may be used. Repeated evidence
of delayed return or excessive voice and whistle commands may be grounds for elimination.)
SECTION 4: A Started dog will usually be cast from the point of origin only once. However, a second
attempt or "recast" may be granted if, in the opinion of the judges, a dog exhibits confusion at the
point of origin. Also, if an initial misdirection is taken by a Started dog and the handler
immediately brings the dog back to heel, it may be given a "recast". A "recast" shall never be granted
to a dog that goes out into the field, establishes a hunt, does not find the bird and returns to the
handler. This is grounds for elimination rather than a second chance. After two unsuccessful
attempts the judges shall step in and direct the handler to pick up his/her dog. (See Chapter II,
Section 17 for "no-goes.")
SECTION 5: A Started dog may be handled on marked retrieves with voice/whistle/hand signals, if,
in the opinion of the handler, the dog cannot find or has missed the mark. (The dog is being tested
for its marking ability, not handling, however, a crisp cast is preferable to a long hunt. Repeated
evidence of lack of marking ability or lack of control may be grounds for elimination.)
SECTION 6: Tests for this event shall be held in appropriate cover.
a. Maximum test distance on land shall not exceed 75 yards.
b. Maximum test distance on water shall not exceed 50 yards.
c. Dogs shall not be required to honor another dog in this event.
d. Diversions and dry shots (i.e. shots for which no bird appears or falls) shall not be allowed.
SECTION 7: The handler may be required to carry necessary hunting paraphernalia, including a
shotgun. However, a handler shall never be required to hold the shotgun in the firing position.
SECTION 8: Walk ups to simulate jump shooting may be used in this event. The dog shall be brought
to an area designated as the point of origin at heel. It is the handler' s option to utilize a leash, line
or slip lead around the dog's neck. Section 2 shall be in effect. The judges may signal for the bird
while the handler and dog are walking.
The purpose of the Started Hunting Retriever Field Test is to bring started dogs along as hunters.
Desire and cooperation with the handler are important factors. In the Started category, instinct is
more in evidence than obedience. This is a chance for a dog to be evaluated without the high
expectations of a finished retriever and it should be given a little leeway in obedience. By the same
token, he should show signs of trying to behave, understanding basic commands, as well as the
ability to perform basic marked retrieves. There are many things to see in a single retrieve. "DOES
HE WANT TO DO IT?" is one of the most important questions at this stage. Is he a "High Flying Go
Getter" or does he mope around sniffing, urinating and eating the grass? Does he snatch up the
bird, or does he nose it, mouth it, drop it and urinate on the next tree? How is he marking? There
are different meanings in missing a mark. If a dog hunts short of a fall it probably indicates lack of
training as much as poor marking. Chances are, he is hunting where he thought he saw it fall,
without knowledge of high cover or practice at depth perception. If a dog blows right through a mark
and hunts high and wide leagues beyond the fall, his marking could be suspect. Or maybe he just
did not see it. How is the line of sight at the dog's level? A judge who is setting up a marking test
must make sure the dog viewing the scene can see the fall, and this includes working out problems
with the background and the sun. A Started dog should hunt the area of the fall until he finds the
bird. The area of the fall expands with the difficulty of the mark. In evaluating Started dogs, a judge
should start with a relatively simple mark and work towards increasing the difficulty with each
series of tests. This is not to say the first test should be less than "the standard" or the last test
harder than "the standard," but a dog and his handler should be given a chance to work into the
academic situation of a Field Test. Even a good dog, cold out of a crate, will not perform up to his
capabilities. Give him a chance to wake up and show his stuff. In the Started event, look primarily
for instinct, and enough obedience to get by in a hunting situation. Also look for courage but do not
confuse desire or lack of training with lack of courage. If a dog runs around the edge of a cold water
pond, he may be trying to get to the fall faster rather than avoiding the water. Started dogs should be
introduced to guns, boats, decoys and any equipment or situations they might encounter during a
day afield. The Started event ribbon (passing the standard) proves basic desire, tractability, instinct,
control and marking ability in a hunting situation.
Testing Guidelines
for Started level tests - SR
NOTE: The passages enclosed in parentheses are additional guidelines for judges.
SECTION 1: A Started Hunting Retriever Field Test shall consist of only (5) single bird marking tests
at least two of which shall be marked water retrieves and at least two of which shall be marked land
retrieves. The fifth marked retrieve may be either land or water.
(The purpose of the Started Hunting Retriever Field Test is to bring started dogs along as hunters.
Desire and cooperation with the handler are important factors. It should consist of basic tests to
evaluate the dog's natural and basic trained abilities.)
(The judges shall evaluate the dog' s temperament, as displayed in its spontaneous behavior, in
order to assess its suitability as a hunting companion. Hyperactivity, wildness, jumping about,
barking, excessive disobedience, lethargy or lack of interest shall be marked down. Repeated
evidence shall be justification for elimination.)
SECTION 2: A dog is required to be steady at the point of origin; however, it may have a leash, line or
slip lead around its neck and/or may be held by one hand only, to assist in achieving steadiness.
No dog shall be permitted to make a retrieve wearing a collar, leash, line or similar device. A
controlled break shall not fail a dog but shall be marked down. If a dog is immediately brought
under control, a controlled break is a minor infraction. (As soon as the dog leaves the point of origin
and manifests an intent to make the retrieve, without being so ordered, it must be stopped.)
SECTION 3: A Started dog is not required to deliver to hand. However, the dog must deliver the bird
within a reasonable radius of the point of origin which is easily accessible to the handler. Therefore,
it is not appropriate to require the dog to deliver the bird into a boat or blind. (The dog should return
to the handler without delay. Moderate voice or whistle commands may be used. Repeated evidence
of delayed return or excessive voice and whistle commands may be grounds for elimination.)
SECTION 4: A Started dog will usually be cast from the point of origin only once. However, a second
attempt or "recast" may be granted if, in the opinion of the judges, a dog exhibits confusion at the
point of origin. Also, if an initial misdirection is taken by a Started dog and the handler
immediately brings the dog back to heel, it may be given a "recast". A "recast" shall never be granted
to a dog that goes out into the field, establishes a hunt, does not find the bird and returns to the
handler. This is grounds for elimination rather than a second chance. After two unsuccessful
attempts the judges shall step in and direct the handler to pick up his/her dog. (See Chapter II,
Section 17 for "no-goes.")
SECTION 5: A Started dog may be handled on marked retrieves with voice/whistle/hand signals, if,
in the opinion of the handler, the dog cannot find or has missed the mark. (The dog is being tested
for its marking ability, not handling, however, a crisp cast is preferable to a long hunt. Repeated
evidence of lack of marking ability or lack of control may be grounds for elimination.)
SECTION 6: Tests for this event shall be held in appropriate cover.
a. Maximum test distance on land shall not exceed 75 yards.
b. Maximum test distance on water shall not exceed 50 yards.
c. Dogs shall not be required to honor another dog in this event.
d. Diversions and dry shots (i.e. shots for which no bird appears or falls) shall not be allowed.
SECTION 7: The handler may be required to carry necessary hunting paraphernalia, including a
shotgun. However, a handler shall never be required to hold the shotgun in the firing position.
SECTION 8: Walk ups to simulate jump shooting may be used in this event. The dog shall be brought
to an area designated as the point of origin at heel. It is the handler' s option to utilize a leash, line
or slip lead around the dog's neck. Section 2 shall be in effect. The judges may signal for the bird
while the handler and dog are walking.
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