test. But unlike flusher events they don't
walk with the person running the event. Typically they are at
one end of the field. I always try to watch a few braces before
I run when possible. You'll get a feel where the birds are being
found.
Does it help to know where the birds are?
You damn right it does! When I ran with the Vizsla Guru Jim Busch
my first time Jim spent all his time next to the gallery and
was getting a ton of birds. Why? Because we were running quail
and the extra quail were kept in a box in the gallery, and what
do quail do? They return to the covey! So all the planted quail
were walking back toward the peeping bird box in the gallery.
So where were most of the birds to be found? Next to the gallery!
There is a trick to running these events. If the bird of the
day was chukars or pheasants, that would not have been the case.
Jim the Vizsla guru knew that!
It's your time
You have checked in with the test secretary ten times and your
up next, now what? I always get Jenny out of the crate when the
group before me goes to the line. That gives me about fifteen
minutes to let her calm down or heat up Whatever the case. Also
she can tinkle on everything that moves. Some events expect that
you to be ready and at the line one brace early in case of a
scratch and your moved up.
It don't hurt as part of your getting ready routine that you
take your dog over to the bird pen to sniff the bird of the day
so she has a clue what she's looking for.
Your up
The brace ahead of you are done. The horses are making their
way over to you and your brace mate of the day. Did I mention
horses? The judges will be on horses; it's a better |
view. My previous Vizsla Jazz HATED HORSES! I don't
know why... she just did. If your dog has never been around horses
best you expose them to horses. I'm thinking if your dog attacks
a horse and throws a judge that could affect your score. 
The two judges will introduce themselves and ask if you have
any questions. Best you ask all the dumb ones in the gallery
before. But again, they WANT to see your dog pass. If you have
a question, ask it!
When all the questions have been answered the judge will say
release your dogs. At which you unsnap the leash on your dog,
as does your brace mate and you start the test.
Getting to the bird field
You will not be in the bird field for almost five minutes. One
thing that pointing dog tests do, that flusher tests do not do
is warm up their dogs. In flusher tests when you unsnap your
dog he may find a bird in just two steps. One of the problems
with that is many a flusher has blown a ligament because of the
immediate intensity of the test.
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With pointing dogs you'll spend five minutes
walking into the bird field, airing out and loosening up the
dogs. Once in a while you'll find a bird in the first five minutes
but its rare, it still counts but don't expect it. Use that first
five minutes to BS with the judge and calm down.
In the bird field
Finally you arrive in the bird field. Expect for a Junior Hunter
the bird field will be about a quarter section or about 150 acres,
about six football fields. Typically you will find the bird field
has limits either by trees and scrubs or flags. The judges will
tell you those limits so you have a clue where the planted birds
might be found.
The fun part
Now comes the fun part! If you have a reasonably decent hunting
dog all you have to do is keep up with your dog. You will know
she's birdy and on point better then the judge. We talked the
other day at the GSP club meeting, one trainer hates a dog that
lowers her head on point, I like it! So dogs all point differently
and judges need to adapt to each dog.
When you get a point yell Point! You will then at least get your
judges judges take turn each following each dog to turn his head
and look at your dog. At that point once you know the judge has
seen the point you will need to flush the bird and shoot your
pistol. The only requirement you have at this point is to flush
the bird. In Junior Hunter your dog does not have to be steady
to flush OR shot, or retrieve that happens at the Senior and
Master levels.
No Bird
Is it possible your dog pointed a bird that was flushed by |
