Ginnie Pastor in a post to the work-show gold listgroup April 28, 2002

FWIW, I feel the Canadian system has many advantages over the American one for various reasons. The biggest one being that it is much more inclusive in scope, so that  virtually ANYONE can run their dog in a WC (IMHO it is a much truer test of instinct than the US WC)  and then keeps teams in the game longer by encouraging  training to a higher level than the US WCX does- that being to the level of a basic handling dog. To earn a Can WCX is really a wonderful achievement for a non-field trial dog, and gives the trainer a much better sense of what a more finished hunting dog is, and what skills are needed to attain this degree of functionality as a retriever.

The biggest difference in the Canadian tests that I have seen is that they are more relaxed for the handlers, but in some ways more demanding of the dogs. I have seen cover that would make many Americans whine ;-) and distances that would be longer than what is allowable in American WC rules. But I think this is a good thing overall. They ARE supposed to be hunting dogs, and without the courage to go the distance or break the cover, they won't be of much use hunting.

The Can.WC test consists of  back to back land singles, and back to back water singles.

The purpose of the test is to evaluate NATURAL ABILITIES, such as marking/memory, intelligence, desire,style, perseverance,nose and courage. In a word, things you can't really train for; but traits  you have to select for. Dogs can come to the line on lead and need not be steady. Collars are not permitted. Delivery to hand is preferred but failure to do so is not penalized. They generally mark out an area that the dog has to deliver to. They want to see desire and willingness, and do not want to see gun-shyness or hard mouth.

Marks are at least  90 degrees apart , generally 50-75 yards long and can be in light to moderate cover. The birds land in cover so they are not visible from the line. Sometimes different lines will be used for each mark, not more than 20' apart. Water marks are in swimming water, 25-40 yards in length (I have seen longer) and birds are not hidden, though they can be at the edge of cover and difficult to spot. No decoys are used. No handling is allowed, but a whistle may be blown for the return. Gunners do not wear white like they do in the US, and though they are supposed to be visible, they sometimes blend in pretty well. They cannot move after the birds are thrown, and must kept bird pails covered. Guns and blank ammo are used.

Shot flyers are not permitted in Canada, so you may see some unusual species of dead birds, in various conditions. The last test we ran the birds were excellent. In others we have seen some surprises. (Boy was Winnie surprised bringing in her foam injected duck--wondering why her head was floating like a Buoy! We will never forget her face)

The WCI test consists of a land double with an honor, and a water double. These tests are also used to evaluate the dogs natural abilities, and his usefulness as a hunting partner. WCI dogs needs to be under control, steady and show desire and nose. They must come to the line off lead, and deliver to hand. Falls are 90 degrees apart and will land in moderate to moderately heavy cover approx. 75 yards from line. There is an honor on the land test.

The water double is 90 degrees or more apart and will have a splash, 40-50 yards from line. (Again, I have seen longer.) One bird must be in cover. Decoys are used between the marks and must be visible from the line. Handling on marks is not required or encouraged. Marking, style and desire are of primary importance. Verbal commands are to be kept to a minimum, only when the dog is 15 feet from line.

WCX tests require a walk-up test with a land double or a water double, an honor on the walk-up, a land blind, and a water blind. Dogs must be steady and reliable to be considered an asset to a hunter. Dogs are off lead and deliver to hand.  The same natural abilities are evaluated in addition to those acquired through training-namely following directions and not disturbing too much cover.

The walkup honor is done with the working dog (who has just run) and the honoring dog walking about 15 yards. Both handlers carry guns. Both dogs stop when the first gun id fired, and both dogs are commanded to sit/stay. The honoring dog must stay until the first bird in picked up. (or should be) The memory bird is about 100 yards and the go bird about half that in moderate to heavy cover. 45 degrees between falls , both falls visible to both dogs. Falls can be land/water combos with the shorter one in water. Gunners can't move until both birds are retrieved.

The water double has 50 yard falls (be prepared for longer) in swimming/wading water with natural cover 90 degrees apart. . Marks fall with a splash in light cover. Steep angle entries are avoided if possible. Decoys are used but not in line to the falls. Handlers point a gun toward the mark and a gunner shoots a bland within 6 feet of the handler.

Land blind is about 50 yards, depending on cover and terrain, and should have natural obstacles about 15 feel from line. Moderate cover. A shot is fired from the line while the dog is waiting to be sent.

Water blind shall me max 50 yards and the line is not to be farther than 15 feet from the water's edge and not an angle entry. No gun is fired, no diversion and no visible blind planter. Decoys may be used at least 10 feet off the line and 10 feet from shore.

Those are the basic requirements.

IMO, the Canadian tests focus more on what the dog does and less on the ways a handler can mess the dog up. I have not seen any stringent judgement of handlers WRT touching the dog , and similar infractions. For the WC, (aside from basic obedience) I would focus less on training issues and more on developing desire, courage and perseverance.  To be more prepared, you could expose the dog to more cover, more distance, more environments, more types of birds. But if your dog has alot of heart, desire, and natural instinct, he will do fine with little training.

Good luck and most of all have fun.

Ginnie 
dennismc@ix.netcom.com
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Ginnie Pastor + Dennis P. McConnell Warwick, 
NY Cody Faithful Morningstar UD, SH, WCX, CGC 
Can. Ch. Wingmaster Winsm Morningstar CDX, MH, WCX,CGC, Can CD, WCX 
Pebwin's Neon Morningstar CD, JH, WCX, Can. WC 
Morningstar of Edinburgh JH, WCX

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