AKC Hunt Tests

A group of people fishing on the shore of a lake.

AKC Retriever Hunting Tests were designed to give the dog owner a good, basic hunting dog and provide a place to run and compete. Here the dog is not competing against the other entries, but against a "standard." This "standard" was established by AKC as a means of judging good hunting retrievers and is modified periodically as and when needed. AKC Hunt Test Rules Document.

Dogs are judged in three divisions; Junior, Senior, and Master. The Junior dog is judged only on marked retrieves, no blinds and the dog need not be steady, but may be held. This is generally the beginning level for most people. Senior is the next step and here the dog in addition to marked retrieves must also be able to deal with relatively easy blind retrieves, honoring another dog's retrieve, and be steady.

Master is the top level and here the dog is required to retrieve difficult marking situations such as three or more birds down prior to being sent to retrieve and be able to honor another dog's retrieve. The dog in general must exhibit those qualities which must be expected in a truly finished and experienced hunting retriever.

All test levels should be designed to simulate, as nearly as possible, true hunting situations and natural hazards, obstacles, numerous decoys. Hunting equipment and implements should be used to help with this effort. While at the same time the judges must keep in mind that in a hunting "test," we are testing dogs not "hunting." This is quite important as everything that happens while hunting does not necessarily make for a good Hunting Test.

A group of people standing in the grass.

AKC breeds that may enter:

  • American Water Spaniels (effective 4/1/11)
  • Barbet (effective 9/1/12)
  • Boykin Spaniels (effective 12/1/11)
  • Chesapeake Retrievers
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers
  • Drentsche Patrijshond (Drent) (effective 9/1/12)
  • Flat-Coated Retrievers
  • German Shorthaired Pointer (effective 9/1/11)
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (effective 9/1/11)
  • Golden Retrievers
  • Irish Water Spaniels
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • Miniature Poodles
  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
  • Spinone Italiano (effective 7/1/11)
  • Standard Poodles
  • Vizsla (effective 9/1/11)
  • Weimaraner (effective 9/1/11)
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (effective 7/1/11)

***The AKC Continues to evaluate and add breeds to the acceptable breeds list. Please visit the AKC web site for the most up to date breed listing.