N.E.F.R.A. Working Retriever - Intermediate Certificate

Guidelines

All entrants will have passed the N.E.F.R.A. Novice Working Retriever tests and have received
a certificate*

The qualification of Intermediate Working Retriever will be awarded to a dog who has qualified in three set tests at three separate locations. Each of the first two tests will gain the dog a rosette and the third will gain the dog a certificate stating the qualification.

*There is provision for a dog to be awarded the qualification of Intermediate Working Retriever without having first gained the Novice Certificate - but this dog must have gained four intermediate test awards.

The dog must show good marking, retrieving and delivery of the dummy:

  • from or over water
  • from the other side of obstacles
  • willingly search an area for unseen retrieves
  • when at a distance the dog should stop on the whistle, ignore distractions, and follow
    the command given.

There will be four test situations. These will include:

  • One land blind
  • One water blind (that may be run as a double blind on land & water)
  • One double** land mark (the handler can nominate the first retrieve)
  • One double** water mark (the handler can nominate the first retrieve)

There will be at least one diversion shot and one diversion bird.

At least one of the retrieves will be a walk-up where one dog will ‘honour’ the working dog.

**A double mark is where two retrieves are presented to the dog before it is sent for any retrieve.

Dogs will be steady on the line but a controlled break or creeping will be penalised.

A dog must retrieve to hand as in the novice test.

Dogs may be handled on marks but excessive handling will get a lover score. Excessive handling will be decided by the judges, but the handler will be told.

Dogs who switch birds will be eliminated.

The following will prevent a pass and although the dog is “not ready” this will not prevent it trying again at a later date, indeed with further training this should be the aim of the handler.

  • Failing to hunt an area
  • Not entering cover
  • Being unsteady and, in the eyes of the judges, “out of control”
  • Will not swim or enter water
  • Refusal to retrieve
  • Fear of a gun or gunshot
  • Aggression whether towards people or other dogs
  • Noise whether on the part of the dog or handler

The judges will explain any reasons for failure and try to give help, if required, to eliminate the fault.

Return to Working Retriever Introduction
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