Puppy Stakes

[Big John Studd]

I'm planning on entering my pup in puppy stakes next spring/summer but I've been having a heck of a time finding the rules and or components for these basic stakes.

Hope some of you can help me out.

Thanks

[Jojoe]

There are anumber of retriever games that can be played. I've tried a few and while you'll receive varying opinions on each - they all are fun.

The three main Retriever Hunt Test Venues:
CKC hunt tests
HRC hunt tests
NAHRA hunt tests

Comparison Chart: http://www.okobojirc.org/docs/Hunt_Test_Comparison_Chart.pdf

CKC Junior hunt test rules:
http://www.doindogs.com/HT_rules/test_requirements.shtml#9.1

HRC Started hunt test rules:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Rules/HRRunniRulesGuidelinesStartedHuntTes

NAHRA - I've not run and know nothing about - anyone?

In hunt tests the dogs are judged against a standard. Because of this ALL the dogs in any given test may pass and receive a ribbon. Therefore all the handlers are wishing you well and they hope you are successful.

There is also a Field Trial Junior Stake for dogs under 2 years of age. These FT Stakes are NOT judged to a Standard, they are run to find the best dog in the field of competitors. There is a rule book BUT it does not set out many definative parameters (eg max distances) for the tests. Test difficulty is influenced by the caliber of the competing dogs. As was explaind to me - everyone hopes your dog does well...just not as well as theirs.:cheesy:

Best advise I can think to give you is to VISIT a test this year. All of the participants will be more than willing to tell you about what is going on.

Be careful, two years ago I was warned that dog training was more of a disease than a hobbie...I didn't listen...there is no known cure...

Cheers

[Anna Scott]

If you are thinking field trial puppy stakes, the pup must be under a year old. These are unofficial stakes and the only rules would be in the hands of the judges to make the tests as fair as possible for these young dogs. Good clear marks with very few factors and distances that a young dog can achieve.

[Anna Scott]

The only reference to puppy stakes in the CKC field Trial rule book states:
12.2 A puppy stake shall be for dogs 6 months of age and not exceeding 12 months. The ageof the dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the date preceding the first day of the trial, as in the junior stake.
The judges then evaluate the work of each puppy, keeping in mind natural abilities as some of these pup will just be begininng their training.

[Labber]

Go to the National Clubs website and find the FT's near you. Look at the premium lists. It will tell you if the club will be having a puppy stake.

[Big John Studd]

Thanks everyone for your input and advice. Noted and will definitely be investigating all these avenues.