Natural Ability Test

Natural Ability Test Eligibility

Dogs are eligible for a Natural Ability Test until and including the day they reach 16 months of age. Dogs over 16 months may be tested for evaluation. No prize classifications are awarded dogs tested for evaluation. Dogs over 16 months of age may be tested for evaluation if space is available.

The Natural Ability Test is organized into four main segments, or phases, as follows:

1. Field Phase – The dog is hunted in cover where the presence of game has been assured by releasing of game birds. Each dog is hunted for a minimum of 20 minutes and is evaluated on:

Use of Nose
Search
Pointing
Desire
Cooperation
Gun Shyness

2. Tracking Phase – The dog is given an opportunity to track a flightless running pheasant or chukar. Each dog is judges on the following items:

Use of Nose
Tracking
Desire to Work
Cooperation

3. Water Phase – The dog is tested for its willingness to swim. The following items are judged during the water test:

Water Entry
Desire to Work
Cooperation

4. Judgment of Physical Characteristics.

No game is shot, and no retrieves are required during the Natural Ability Test. There is no set sequence for conducting the four general phases. It is desireable, though not necessary, to test the young dog in tracking after it completes the field test because usually by then the dog has settled down and is better able to concentrate. Also, it is desirable to evaluate the coat immediately after the dog completes the water test.