Gundog Working Tests

The Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club has always been instrumental in promoting the working side of this wonderful breed. For over 25 years the club have been running working tests.

The club hold two working test days every year and a Show Gundog working certificate qualifier day in December.
Working Tests are held in the Spring and Summer months, during the 'closed' shooting season, 'dummies' are used to train and test the dogs instead of game birds.

In May the Open and Novice working tests are held. All Goldens are eligible to run in the Open Test and the Novice Test is for dogs who have not won any Field Trial awards or a first, second or third at an Open Test (Puppy and Novice Dog / Novice Handler tests accepted)

 
In August the Novice Dog , Novice Handler and Special Puppy Tests are held. Dogs or handlers having never won an award at a Field Trial or a first, second,third or fouth at an Open working test or a first at any working test are eligible for the Novice Dog, Novice Handler Test.

Dogs up to two years of age are eligible for the Special Puppy Test.

 
In December a Show Gundog Working Certificate Test day is held. This is for dogs that have won a first prize at a Championship Show where Challenge Certificates are offered. Dogs are tested in line with gunfire. They should be steady, not gun shy or whine. They will be tested to see their working ability.
They should face cover hunt for freshly shot game and retrieve tenderly to hand. They will also be tested in water, where they should swim freely and retrieve a canvas dummy.

On attaining their certificate this then goes towards the title of Champion. If a dog wins three Challenge Certificate in the show ring it becomes a Show Champion, with the working certificate it then qualifies to become a full Champion.