PURPOSE
The purpose of APLA’s Certified Pointing Retriever Test
(CPR) is to evaluate a combination of naturally occurring pointing traits, basic
natural abilities, and basic trained behaviors in the upland field and in waterfowl
retrieves. Natural abilities and trained behaviors are equally important
components of a good hunting companion. To score well in this test the dog must
respond to basic obedience commands and have had enough exposure to hunting
upland birds and doing water retrieves to show beginning proficiency in each.
There is no minimum age for dogs running this test. The test will have two
working parts: Upland Work and Water Retrieves. Testing will be scored on a
noncompetitive basis on a zero to five (0 to 5) scale in one half (1/2) point
increments in each of seven (7) categories, for a maximum score of 35 points.
Any dog scoring a one and one-half (1.5) or
lower in any category of testing
will fail immediately and will not be allowed to continue the test. The seven
scoring categories are: NOSE, COOPERATION, DESIRE, SEARCH, POINT, LAND
RETRIEVES, and WATER RETRIEVES. Nose, Cooperation, Desire, and Search.
Retrieves will be evaluated throughout all parts of the test. Point will be
evaluated in the Upland Field. A minimum total score of 21 of the 35 possible points is required in
order to earn a qualifying score (i.e., pass the test).
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
UPLAND
In the upland Field,
each bird contact should be looked at as an opportunity to perform to the
APLA’s CPR standard, clearly showing natural pointing traits.
The Upland Field will consist of approximately 3 to 5 acres
of light to medium cover (as available). Three (3) chukar will be placed
at random throughout the Upland Field. The Handler must indicate to the Judge
whether he himself wants to put up the birds, wants the Gunner to put up the
birds, or wants to send in the dog to flush the birds after they are pointed.
He must also indicate whether he wants any birds shot that the dog puts up
without having pointed. The Handler and dog must hunt the entire field
efficiently searching for multiple birds. Handlers will be allowed a maximum of
15 minutes to hunt the field. Multiple
bird contacts are required if
upland conditions permit.
Once requirements are met in the Upland Field, time limit
may be shortened at the judges’ discretion or may be shortened for the safety of the dog (heat, injury,
etc.).
The field party will consist of the Handler and dog, two (2)
Judges, a designated Gunner, and at most one Apprentice Judge. Spectators may
be present in a designated area. With the consent of the Handler, other
designated individuals may accompany the field party, such as a photographer or
one other "guest". Should those individuals "bump" a bird
in the field or cause a dog to fail to hold a point, it is considered the
responsibility of the Handler and the entry will not be considered for any type
of protest or re-run. Guests in the field party may not give any type of verbal
communication, directive, or support to the Handler, and are required to remain
in the holding area while birds are being planted. Guests providing the Handler
with guidance or help risk the dog and Handler being
disqualified. Certified dogs do not have to be steady to wing and
shot (i.e., they do not have to wait for the judge to release them on the
retrieve).
WATER
The Water test will use open water (as available), providing
retrieves of approximately 50 yards or less. The
water may contain very light cover, but the bird should still be visible from
the line. Decoys may be used outside the area of the fall but may not be
in the route to the fall. Upon the Handler signaling readiness to the
Judges, a duck call will sound and a dead duck will be thrown from a concealed
location simultaneously with a gunshot. The throw will be into the water (with
a splash) in a location that encourages both efficient water entries and water
returns. This will be repeated in the same manner for a second retrieve.
THE SEVEN SCORING CATEGORIES:
NOSE
Effective use of the nose across all bird contacts will be
used to determine the overall quality of the nose. Scenting conditions
(including direction, shifting, or absence of wind) will be taken into
consideration by the Judges.
COOPERATION
In all situations, the dog should respond to commands or
signals given by the Handler. In the Upland Field, the Handler will determine
the overall pattern of the search, but a well-trained dog will need little
assistance in hunting within this general pattern. Scores will be heavily
downgraded for a dog that runs with disregard to the Handler.
DESIRE
The dog must demonstrate a desire to hunt, retrieve, and
please its Handler. Desire can be evaluated through the enthusiasm,
self-motivation and body language displayed by the dog as it performs its work.
Scores will be downgraded for a dog that requires constant verbal encouragement
to hunt or retrieve or for a dog that seems intimidated by the Handler.
SEARCH
In the Upland Field, the Handler must determine the overall
pattern of the search with the clear intent to find three birds. Within this
overall pattern, the dog should demonstrate purpose and pattern while using its
sense of smell, showing a natural ability to locate birds on its own. On all
retrieves, the dog should go quickly to the area of the fall, and search
efficiently within the area of the fall. Aimless running, walking, or swimming will
not be confused with searching either in the Upland Field or during Water
Retrieves.
POINT
The dog should search, locate and point
naturally as many of the birds as possible in the Upland Field. Judges are to allow for all styles of point but for top
scores, the point must be intense and unmistakable. Intensity
shows that the dog has confidence that he or she has located the bird, but
intensity should not be judged on a time limit. The wind could fluctuate or the
distraction of the Judges and Handler approaching could change the dog’s
intensity level.
To establish point, the dog must become motionless in a
standing position (movement of the head or tail is allowed). The dog must
clearly establish a natural point on its own prior to any type of command,
signal, or cue given by the Handler. The dog must remain on point for a minimum
of five (5) seconds. Only after the judge has started the five (5) second count
may the Handler give a quiet, non-intimidating, steadying command. The dog may
reposition itself while on point, but upon re-establishing point, a new five
(5) second count will begin. Repositioning which results in a staunch point
indicating that the dog has confidence in bird location will not lower scores.
A bird must be produced from the point for the point to be scored. Creeping on
point or willful flushing of birds, unless commanded to flush, will result in a
lower pointing score. Birds that are determined by the judges to be running and
are flushed within gun range will not lower the dogs pointing score.
The ability of the dog to locate and
point birds in the Upland Field will depend on the overall Upland Conditions,
including (but not limited to) wind, scenting conditions, and how well the
birds are holding. It is the responsibility of the
Handler to organize the overall hunt to maximize both the number of bird
contacts and the likelihood of birds being successfully pointed when found. The
Judges will evaluate the dog’s entire body of work in the Upland field,
including evaluating for the natural pointing trait, after seeing enough of the
day’s Upland work to evaluate overall Upland Conditions, which may
change throughout the course of the day. Failure of the dog to locate and
point birds may be due to inadequacies in any or all of the following
Categories: Nose, Point, Search, Cooperation, or Desire.
LAND RETRIEVES
Scoring in this category will reflect work performed in the
Upland Field. Retrieves should be efficient. A scoreable retrieve is one that
is delivered to within one reasonable step of the Handler, but a higher score
will be given to dogs delivering to hand. The dog should mark the fall;
however, the Handler may assist the dog with hand or whistle signals. The
Handler may reposition himself a short distance, but only enough to get a
reasonable view of the flight or fall of the birds or to keep his dog in view.
On occasions when the Gunner fails to down a successfully pointed bird, a
retrieve will be simulated by firing the gun and throwing a dead bird. For the
purpose of the simulated retrieves only, the dog may be restrained by a slip
lead until the Judge’s signal is given. The dog must retrieve all cleanly
killed game and all birds from simulated retrieves that it sees fall within the
boundaries of the Upland Field. CPR dogs do not have to be steady to
wing and shot (i.e., they do not have to wait for the judge to release them on
the retrieve).
All retrieved birds will be examined for evidence of hard
mouth. Should a dog exhibit hard mouth, it will receive a zero (0) in Retrieve.
Evidence of crushed bone structure, canine tooth penetration or audible
crunching while the dog has a bird in its mouth are sufficient to result in a 0
score in Retrieve.
WATER RETRIEVES
Efficient and willing swims to and back with the duck should
be completed by the dog. Judges are looking for retrieving desire and swimming
abilities as well as the efficiency of a reasonably direct line. Bank running
and water entry other than in a reasonably direct line from the Handler will
severely downgrade the dog's score. The dog is required to complete two (2)
single marked water retrieves, delivering to within one reasonable step (on dry
land) of the Handler. (For top scores, delivery to hand is required.) Judges
will signal the Handler to send the dog shortly after the duck hits the water.
The Handler may quietly speak to his dog in a non-intimidating fashion while
waiting for the Judge to signal him to make the retrieve. The dog may not leave
the Handler's side until this signal is given. For the purpose of the Certified
Water Retrieves only, the dog may be restrained by a slip lead until the
Judge’s signal is given. The Handler is allowed two attempts to send the dog
for each retrieve (i.e., one re-send), and the Handler may not take more than
one reasonable step from his initial position.
All retrieved birds will be examined for evidence of hard
mouth. Should a dog exhibit hard mouth, it will receive a zero (0) in Water.
Evidence of crushed bone structure, canine tooth penetration or audible crunching
while the dog has a bird in its mouth are sufficient to result in a 0 score in
water retrieves.
TITLES (Certification)
A dog that earns a
qualifying score will be given a qualifying score ribbon. Two qualifying scores are required to be awarded the
title of Certified Pointing Retriever (CPR).
Additional qualifying scores in Certification tests will be awarded a ribbon,
but no additional title is earned.
"Approved by the Board July 26, 2019,
effective January 1, 2020. Amended by the Board October 21, 2020”
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