Gatzby
Well-known member
A Master test is required to have at least 3 series, two triple retreives, one double retreive, 1 live bird shot, four blinds one of wiech must be a double blind, a walk up, and an honor. One series is on land, one on water, and a third land water combo. Marks and blinds should not exceed 150 yards. Dogs are must be steady, deliver to hand. Judges look for trainablity, perservernce, marking, and style. All skills are judged on a 1-10 scale an average of 7 is required to pass, a zero any where is an automatic fail. Most tests will have three triple retrieves with two live birds, 5 blinds, an honor, and a walk up. Judges can and sometimes do have an upland series but land, and time constraints oftenly make it too difficult. Often the live bird will not be dead and will wander off a ways if you pick it up last so trails are very commen And in all honestly rarely do the upland series test dogs at this level. Short quartering tests or 100 yard trails are pretty easy for these guys. Tests are limited to 60 dogs per flight and usually take a day and a half to run. Central Minesota Retreiver Club will oftenly have 4 flights with about 225-240 contestants. Typical pass rates are about 30%. Entrance fees are $85-$100. Masters is "big dog shit"! A real good meat dog probably can handle seniors, masters takes it up a bunch!
The Master National is the same thing except double all the requirments and a upland test is required!
Someone usually says that "these dogs are robots that can't work on there own". These people are clueless and most likely have never seen a test or trial much less ran one.
:cheers:
