Is there anyplace I can find information on how hunt test are done, and how to prepare for one? I have two young chessies, 5 mos. old, and I have been using "Waterdog" video and a few others to train by. Any info?
Please e-mail or post!!

Thanks, Joe
reswire1@yahoo.com

Presuming that you are interested in AKC hunt tests, you can read the rules here: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RHTRET.pdf

And you can look for events near you here:
http://www.akc.org/events/search/

In the competition type box, select "Hunting Tests" and then click on the states near you.

Good luck!

T. Mac

Along with T.Mac's good advice, you might find a local Hunt Test Club to not only join, but also go and watch a Test ....nothing like observing/learning in person about the field venue you want to persue. Also seeking out a training group in your area to train with would help you also.

Norene S.

Check out Butch Goodwin's book "Retrievers... From the Inside Out" for training. Be sure to ignore anyone that thinks there are "meat dogs" and "hunt test dogs", they have labs. Be sure to spoil them rotten.

I was told by a Lab owner that my Chessie would be a good meat dog, but probably not a hunt test dog. First dog I have ever trained and Deuce is 3 for 4 in senior and I screwed him up in the one fail.

quote:

Originally posted by Beamer:
I was told by a Lab owner that my Chessie would be a good meat dog, but probably not a hunt test dog. First dog I have ever trained and Deuce is 3 for 4 in senior and I screwed him up in the one fail.

I was told by a trainer that my dog would only be a junior hunter and would never take hand cast. Of course this was after he took 4 months of my money and never finished FF with my dog. So now I just tell everyone I trained him myself. Because I pretty much did. I had to redo FF and Obediance.

Dogger where are you from? You really should go watch some test.

When Murray was 4 months old I was told to put him down. He looked sickly by a chessie person. He also told me he would not even get a JH. Wrong
He got his JH then his senior and then MASTER.
At four he became all age qualified jamed an amat. Oh yeah he got his CH also. People are always free to give shitty advice.

They told you to put him down because of the way he LOOKED. Was anything wrong with him at the time.

Believe it or not he was very thin. But cottage cheese fattened him up. And an old golden man told me after he threw a water mark I wouldn't give up on him. And I didn't. It was a hell of a water mark and he was so little. Now he weighs about 97 lbs.

I guesse some people dont care how a dog does in the field and the temperment and only care about the way a dog looks. Pretty sad if you ask me.

Maybe its just me but I would rather have a ugly dog with a MH then a pretty dog that could only earn a CH.

Glad you didnt give up on him. Looks like everything worked out.

I am trying to put some weight on my dog. I feed him 3 cups of food in the morning and 3 cups in the evening. The food is 26g protien. He weighs about 82 lbs. But he shoulders are 27 inchs high.

>> Posted Wed March 12 2008 11:27 AM Hide Post
I guesse some people dont care how a dog does in the field and the temperment and only care about the way a dog looks. Pretty sad if you ask me.

Maybe its just me but I would rather have a ugly dog with a MH then a pretty dog that could only earn a CH. <<

Why would you make a statement like this when first of all it was irrelevent to the discussions, and secondly the person to whom you were responding has not only a CH, but also an MH and is an all aged qualified dog. More power to him for his perseverence given the predjuces like yours to which he had to get through to get there. Good job Mike!!

One last comment, for a dog to hold up under heavy field work, they have to be sound, and if they don't look like a Chesapeake, what's the point in having the dog if it's a Chesapeake you wanted to begin with. Ergo, Sorry for the flame but this is a breed that can do it all and do it better while still looking pretty.

Yeah, yeah, i know...I have show dogs! Now I'll go back to lurk mode!

Kathy Miller

I knew I would strike a nerve with someone with that comment. But he was told to put the dog down by the way it looked. Not how it looked in the field. The person that told him this was basing thier opinion after just looking at a 4 month old dog.

I am glad his dog is a CH and MH. Mike has accomplished more with Murrey then I would ever with Thor. I was just saying that I dont care what a dog looks like as long as it could do the work in the field.

I have seen to many local breeders breeding dogs on disposition and dont care how many dogs or people the dogs have bit, how much drive the dog doesnt have.

I am not saying that dogs cant do both and never have said that. I am glad to see that chessie people can still show thier field dogs.

Dont get yourself all worked up Kathy.

Unfortunately there are foolish people in every breed and the Chesapeake folk have them also. To tell any puppy owner of a 4 month old puppy of any breed that they should put it down is a thoughtless and stupid remark.
Murray is an example of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever that can do it all and Mike is an example of an owner and handler that had the dedication to reach that place with his dog.
I personally don't really think Chesapeakes are pretty. They are a very strong, athletic looking breed that do a great job at what they were bred to do. As long as our breeders keep to that standard, we won't have a problem. The number of Chesapeake dual champions speaks for itself.

You have all forgotten why we were posting!!

It was to encourage Beamer. That's why I told my story and not for compliments. Let know one tell you what you and your dog can accomplish if that dog is not healing at his side.

So Beamer don't quit. You like the dog? That's all that counts. When you bring your chessie to the line do honor to him/her for the faith he/she has in you.

That's all I have to say.

I would never quit on my dog.....He is like my second son! I ignored the person that told me that in the first place. I am a very proud owner and our chessie is a member of our family who lives in the house, hunts, and runs hunt tests. I could care less what someone else thinks of me and my dog! He is by my side from the time I get home until we go to bed and then he sleeps at the foot of the bed.

One other thing on chessie bueaty.....I get compliments all the time on how pretty Deuce is.