HRC Season Test

[Remington Steele]

Just a question... are the dogs suppose to be on lead as they walk between the lines. Let's say the land blind is run 1st. From that line there is a 20 yd walk to the bucket for the marks. Is the dog suppose to be on lead or is it at the discretion of the judges.

Confirm a. the rule book or b. why are these judges not following the rules.

Just wondering...any HRC judges care to shed some light on this???

[Kevin Hannah]

Just a question... are the dogs suppose to be on lead as they walk between the lines. Let's say the land blind is run 1st. From that line there is a 20 yd walk to the bucket for the marks. Is the dog suppose to be on lead or is it at the discretion of the judges.

Confirm a. the rule book or b. why are these judges not following the rules.

Just wondering...any HRC judges care to shed some light on this???

OK this one may get a lot of replies.

There was a time a little while ago when there was some information which came back from the National meeting which people interpreted as the seasoned dog will be ON lead to EACH of the retrieving lines. This would mean the dog would need to be on lead from the holding blind to the line for the walk up, back on lead to the line to the bind, back on lead to the line for the marks.

Since that time with many discussions and correspondence with HRC people my understanding is that they may be off lead at the judge’s discretion. It is unrealistic I think to require a hander to put a dog back on lead for a 10 yard walk to the next line. This is the way I have continued to judge. If there is a long walk from one station to the next I will have them leash the dog up or if there is any safety reason (like waking past a loaded winger).

Either way on or off lead you need to realize that the dog is being judged and are expected to display seasoned level control.

Kevin
AA Seasoned judge