CKC WORKING CERTIFICATE GUIDELINES

The Canadian Kennel Club has developed a set of three tests, in their series of Working Certificates tests, which are designed to test the natural abilities of the hunting retriever. There are three titles to be earned in increasing difficulty. Working Certificate; Working Certificate Intermediate; Working Certificate Excellent. Only one pass at each level is required to obtain its title.

The Working Certificate Tests are for all Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels and Standard Poodles aged six months or over on the day of the test. These tests have to be entered in their order of complexity. One cannot enter the WCX test without having first passed WC and then WCI. 

In Canada live birds are NOT ALLOWED consequently there are no shot flyers. In these rules, pigeons are not considered Upland Game birds so are no longer used. The birds used are upland game birds/ducks on land and ducks on water.

 Working Certificate Test 

The requirements of the WC are designed to test the dog's natural abilities and instincts such as marking ability, memory of the fall, intelligence, desire, style, perseverance, nose and courage.

The WC Test consists of :-

Back to back singles on land
Back to back singles on water

The dog need not be totally steady and may come to the line on lead and held at the heel position by lead, line, collar or hand. The dog must not wear any type of collar while retrieving.

The dog does not have to deliver to hand but deliver to the area of the line.(The rules state the dog should {not must} deliver to hand). The judges usually designate a "line" over which the retrieve must be made.

When the dog delivers the bird, you may then restrain the dog as before with your lead/line/hand in readiness for the next bird.

The dog should not display any evidence of gun-shyness or hard mouth. It should show a desire and willingness to perform the work. 

WC LAND.
The falls are to land in light to moderate cover so that they are not conspicuous from the line. The distances can vary due to the type of cover and terrain but will approximate 50 - 75 yards in length from the line. The angle between the marks should not be less than 90 degrees.

WC WATER
The "lines" may be 20' apart and shall run from the edge of the water.
Back to back singles from one line shall not be closer than 90 degrees between the falls

The birds should fall in swimming water from 25 to 40 yards away and in open water or on the edge of reeds. The birds should not be hidden
Decoys are not to be used.
Tests should not be set up so as to encourage bank running.

GENERAL.
Dog cannot be handled as marking ability, style and desire are of primary importance.
Dog may be given whistle, voice and hand encouragement to return (not too loudly which could disturb game)
Dog should return to the handler as directly as possible and not disturb too much cover on the way to the fall.
All gunners/throwers should be visible to the dog and not move after the birds are down.
Guns with blank ammunition are to be used.

The handlers are not required to carry a gun (or dummy gun)
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Working Certificate Intermediate Test  

This test is for all retrievers who have earned the WC Title.

The WCI tests are designed to continue to test the dog's natural abilities and to demonstrate it can be a useful partner on a day's hunt.

The dog should be reliable and steady, under control, show desire and willingness to work and be able to use its nose.

The dog has to heel to line from behind the blind off leash. No collar is allowed.. It will be "under judgment" at all times while in front of the judges. (This usually means from the time it leaves the blind until it is finished retrieving and back of the judge's chairs)

Must deliver to hand 

WCI LAND
Land double - the angle between the falls shall not be less than 90 degrees. The falls shall be approximately 75 yards from the line in  moderate to moderately heavy cover while not being conspicuous from the line.

WCI HONOUR
Honour on land test - dog has to honour until the working dog makes the area of the fall. Handlers are not to block their dog's view of the falls. (If there is a delay in judging the judges may permit the team to relax until the test is to resume). Stay in position until released by the judges.

WCI WATER
Water Double - the angle between the falls shall not be less than 90 degrees apart. The birds must  land with a definite and visible splash 40-50 yards from the line with one bird to be in cover. Decoys are to be used. 

GENERAL
WCI Dogs are not required to handle but may be handled. Marking ability, style and desire are of primary importance.
Dogs should return directly on whistle or no command.
Verbal commands should be kept to the minimum but the handler's voice can be used when the dog is within 15 yards of the line.

Handler must not touch or talk to dog to control/steady it.

Working Certificate Excellent Test 

This test shall be for retrievers who have passed the WCI test.

The WCX tests are designed to continue to test the dog's natural abilities, as well as it's trained abilities, and to demonstrate it can be a more mature hunting partner.

The WCX dog should be a steady, reliable worker and a definite asset while hunting. The dog must be off leash at all times while "under judgment".

The dog must deliver to hand, show desire, willingness, follow directions (handle) and demonstrate the use of its nose.

The dog must not disturb too much cover either on the way to or from the falls.

 The tests shall consist of  (a) Walk-up test with a land double or  a land/water double (b) Honour on the walk-up (c) Water double (d) Land blind (e) Water blind.

 WALK-UP DOUBLE. (Land or Land/Water Double)

Includes a 15-yard walk-up for both the working as well as the honouring dogs. Both dogs shall stop when the first gun is fired at which time the individual handlers may quietly tell/whistle their dogs to sit/stay.

The honouring dog must honour until the working dog has picked up  (or should have retrieved) the first mark.

The first bird shall be approximately 100 yards and the second about 50 yards in moderate to heavy cover. Marks shall not be less than 45 degrees apart and clearly visible to both dogs. The handlers are not to block their dog's view of the falls.

Both handlers are to carry unloaded or dummy guns. The honour dog will honour after it has retrieved its marks. 

WATER DOUBLE

The falls shall be up to 50 yards in swimming/wading water with natural cover in the water. The dogs should be able to see the splash in the water. The set-up should avoid angle entries and shore running if possible. Decoys are to be used but not in direct line with the falls.

The handler shall point an unloaded or dummy gun toward the marks as a designated gunner shall discharge a gun within 6 feet of the handler. 

LAND BLIND

The blind shall be approximately 50 yards in length. Some type of natural obstacle such as a ditch or small hedgerow should be 15 feet in front of the line. A shot is to be fired by the designated gunner at the line. Cover should be moderate while avoiding flat open terrain. 

WATER BLIND  

The water blind shall not exceed 50 yards. The line shall not be farther back from the water's edge by more than 15 feet.  Must be a direct entry and not an angled entry. There shall be no gun shot and no diversion. Decoys may be used but not in direct line. 

GENERAL

Handlers may wear white coats only when running the blinds.

Dog may be handled.

Handler must not touch or talk to dog to control/steady it except as detailed in the "walk-up" instructions above.

Compiled by Derek Nichols
May 2002
derekn@macn.bc.ca
Nainamo, British Columbia, CANADA

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