NEWCOMERS (E) CLASS
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OBEDIENCE
The dog must prove that it is calm, responds to the leader’s commands (the command technique is not determined, each leader uses its own commands) and walks correctly next to the leader’s leg even without a leash. The goal is to verify that the dog is able to accompany its leader without restricting him in his movement and attention even in a situation where he is disturbed by the natural influences of the environment (simulated by throwing a dummy, for which the dog is not sent). Dogs can also be tested in pairs – it is not a classic crawl, i.e. walk up.
MARKING
The dog must prove that it is attentive, focused, able to remember the place of impact of the thrown fetch by quickly finding the fetch on command and bringing it correctly. The handler can send the dog only on the judge’s instruction, until then the dog stands / sits or walks next to the handler’s leg. When marking, it may also be required to overcome a terrain obstacle – road, terrain crossing, bushes, etc.
MARKING – WATER
After the shot, the retrieve is thrown into the water or to the opposite bank. The dog must prove that it can swim correctly. He swims to the retrieve, grabs it, and swims back as directly as possible. On the shore, he hands the fetch into the leader’s hand. Execution and evaluation is the same as for dry marking.
DOUBLE MARKING
The dog must remember two places where the fetch was thrown. The order of fetch will be determined by the referee. Wide angles of up to 180° are used.
MEMORY MARK
Here, the dog’s memory is tested to remember the location of the impact of the retrieve. The fetch is thrown as in marking, however, after throwing the fetch, the leader goes to another place with the dog and sends it only after a certain time. A variation is possible, when returning from marking, without the dog seeing it, another fetch is thrown to the same place. After the first fetch is delivered, the dog is sent for the second.
NOTICE
Several dummies are thrown in a suitable area, neither the dog handler nor the dog must see the thrown dummies. On the judges instruction, the leader sends the dog to search for retrieves. The judge determines the boundary of the space along which the leader can move while working. The judge determines how many retrieves the dog must bring.
In this class, the working distance between the dog and the dummy should not exceed 40 m.
BEGINNERS (L) CLASS
All disciplines from the Newcomers class and the following types of tasks can be tested here. From this class, it is already possible to include disturbing moments in tasks. In this class, simple handling is tested for the first time, mostly over a short distance, i.e. the method of guiding the dog to the area where the retrieve is, in the event that the dog did not see the throw, but the handler has described the place where the retrieve lies, the judge has described it.
HALF BLIND
The retrieve is thrown or placed so that neither the handler nor the dog can see it. The judge will explain where the retrieve is and the handler must then lead the dog to this area using acoustic (voice, whistle tone) and visual (hand guidance, hand direction) commands, while he himself must remain in the place from where he was called to release the dog. In this class, with a half-blind, the helper will shoot towards the place where the dummy is lying. The distance of the shooter from the placed dummy should not be more than 35 m.
DOUBLE TESTS
Crawling – walk up – here, calmness is tested in connection with retrieving. A group of leaders with dogs advances in a single line across the terrain. After the shot is fired, a fetch is thrown and all leaders and dogs remain standing. On the judges instruction, the challenged leader sends his dog to search for the retrieve. During this search, the other dogs must remain completely still next to their leader’s leg. All dogs are gradually tested.
In this class, the working distance between the dog and the dummy should not exceed 60 m.
NOVICE (M) CLASS
All disciplines from the Newcomers and Beginners classes can be tested here, as well as the following types of tasks. Of course, any combination of tasks is possible.
MULTIPLE MARKING
Here, the dog’s ability to remember several places of impact of the dummy is tested. The dog works only on the judge’s instructions and brings dummies in the order set by the judge.
BLIND
The retrieve is thrown or placed so that neither the handler nor the dog can see it. The judge will explain where the retrieve is and the handler must then lead the dog to this area using acoustic (voice, whistle tone) and visual (hand guidance, hand direction) commands, while he himself must remain in the place from where he was called to release the dog. The impact point of the dummy may not be marked by a shot.
DOUBLE TESTS
Introduced lech – Drive – dogs with leaders stand on the edge of the lech. Helpers and hounds with sledgehammers push the line of leaders with dogs. Here, the shot game is replaced by thrown dummies. The dogs must observe the whole event calmly and remember the places where the dummy hits. After the drive is over, the dogs are sent out to collect the dummies. Dogs may also be sent for blinds placed in places other than where the draw took place. Then it only fulfills the function of a disturbing moment. Dogs can work individually or together. Dummies that fall in the immediate vicinity of the dogs are picked up by helpers.
In this class, the working distance between the dog and the dummy should not exceed 80-100 m.
OPEN (S) CLASS
In this highest class, it is possible to perform any of the disciplines specified for the previous classes. The choice of disciplines is not limited, the distance at which the dogs work should not exceed 150 m.
