What is Hunting?
Hunting for a toller is what they were bred to do. Even though this comes fairly natural for them, they do require training to preform these tasks correctly. It's recommended to start working with birds, retrieving, and basic commands as soon as your puppy comes home to get them on the right path to becoming the huntin companion you are striving for. There are also a number of good books and professional trainers who can assist you along the way.
Hunting can be for game and/or to achieve a title for your toller. Below is a list of requirements for achieving a Junior, Senior or Master Hunter title.
CKC Hunt Test guide
This information is to be used as a GUIDE ONLY. Consult a current rule book for detailed requirements.
| Tests | JH | SH | MH |
| To line on lead | Yes | No | No |
| Steady | Lightly held | Yes | Yes |
| Honour working dog, off-lead | No | Yes | Yes |
| Touch dog during test | Yes, gently guide by leash | No | No |
| Recast | 1, if dog w/in 15 ft of line | No | |
| Talk while dog is working | Kept to a min, on return | ||
| Handle | Yes, 1 mark | Yes | Yes |
| Cover type | Light/heavy | Light/heavy | Med/heavy |
| Length land mark | Not>75 yds | Not>100 yds | Not>100 yds |
| Length water mark | Not>75 yds | Not>100 yds | Not>100 yds |
| Decoys | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Duck calls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hold firearm | Yes, empty, only once | Yes, empty, carry/shoulder 2 or 3 times | Yes, empty, not in firing position |
| Walk-ups | Judges choice | Yes | Yes |
| Hidden guns | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blind retrieves | No | Yes | Yes |
| Handlers/gunner | Camo/dark | Camo/dark | Camo/dark |
| # tests to title | 3 | 5, 4 if have JH | 6, 5 if have SH |
| Min. # test/title | 4 single marks: 2 on land, 2 on water | 1 land blind, 1 water blind 1 double land marks, 1 double water marks, 1 upland hunting test. At least one of these situations should include a walk-up. | Multiple land marks, multiple water marks, an upland hunting test, a land blind(s) and a water blind(s). There shall be at least 3 series. Diversion birds and/or diversion shots must be used at least once. |
| Retrieve to hand | Yes | Yes | Yes |
HUNT TEST RULES AND REGULATIONS (CKC)
Qualifying Scores, Awarding of Titles
The total number of qualifying scores required for the issuance of the titles Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter and Master Hunter shall be established by the Board of Directors of The Canadian Kennel Club.
The ability categories in a series must be graded on a scale of 0-10.
In order to receive a qualifying score in Junior, Senior and Master Hunting Tests, a dog must acquire a minimum average of not let than 5 on each of the abilities listed on the evaluation form, with an overall average score of not less than 7.
A dog graded zero (0) for the same ability by 2 judges cannot receive a qualifying score and the handler must be informed that the dog cannot receive a qualifying score.
An attacking dog cannot receive a qualifying score at the event in which the attack occurred.
The judge's certification of a qualifying score for any particular dog constitutes certification to The Canadian Kennel Club that the dog on this particular occasion has evidenced abilities at least in accordance with minimum standards and that the abilities evidenced on this occasion would justify the awarding of the title associated with the particular test category. A qualifying score must never be awarded to a dog which exhibits abilities that do not meet minimum requirements.
In order to be recorded as a Junior Hunter, a dog must be registered in the CKC Stud Book or possess an Event Registration Number (ERN), and must have a record of having acquired qualifying scores in the Junior Hunt Test in 3 CKC approved hunt tests.
Upon completion of these requirements, a CKC Junior Hunter (JH) certificate will be issued to the owner, and the dog shall be identified as a junior Hunter in all official CKC records by the suffix title JH.
In order to be recorded as a Senior Hunter, a dog must be registered in The Canadian Kennel Club Stud Book or possess an Event Registration Number (ERN), and must have a record of having acquired qualifying scores in the Senior Hunting Test at 5 CKC approved hunt tests. In the case of a dog that has been recorded by CKC as a Junior Hunter, that dog will be recorded as a Senior Hunter after having acquired qualifying scores in the Senior Hunt Test at 4 CKC approved hunt tests.
Upon completion of these requirements, a CKC Senior Hunter (SH) certificate will be issued to the owner, and the dog shall be identified as a Senior Hunter in all official CKC records by the suffix title SH, which title shall supersede the Junior Hunter title when the Junior Hunter title has been previously awarded. A dog that has been recorded as a Senior Hunter may continue to enter the Senior Hunt Test, but no further Senior Hunter certificates will be issued.
Dogs that have acquired a qualifying score in a Senior Hunt Test as an approved hunt test prior to the date that entries close are ineligible to enter Junior Hunt Tests.
In order to be recorded as a Master Hunter, a dog must be registered in The Canadian Kennel Club Stud Book or possess an Event Registration Number (ERN), and must have a record of having acquired qualifying scores in the Owner Handler Master Hunt Test or Master Hunt Test at 6 CKC-approved hunt tests. In the case of a dog that has been recorded by CKC as a Senior Hunter, that dog will be recorded as a Master Hunter after having acquired qualifying scores in the Owner Handler Master Hunt Test or Master Hunt Test at 5 KC approved hunt tests
Upon completion of these requirements, a CKC Master Hunter (MH) certificate will be issued to the owner and the dog will be identified as a Master Hunter in all official CKC records by the suffix title MH, which title shall supersede any CKC hunt test title that may have been previously earned.
A dog that has been recorded as a master Hunter may continue to enter the Owner Handler Master Hunt Test or Master Hunt Test but no further Master Hunter certificates will be issued.
A dog is not required to earn any title as a prerequisite for earning a higher title.
Dogs that have acquired a qualifying score in a Master Hunt Test at an approved hunt test prior to the date that entries close are ineligible to enter Senior Hunt Tests.
Grand Master Hunter Title (GMH)
In order to be recorded as a Grand Master Hunter, a dog must meet the following requirements:
Registered in The Canadian Kennel Club Stud Book or possess an Event Registration Number.
Fulfilled all of the requirements for and acquired a Master Hunter Title.
Earned qualifying scores in 10 CKC approved Owner Handler Master or Master Hunter Tests.
NOTE: Qualifying scores that were used to acquire the dog's Master Hunter title do not count towards the 10 required qualifying scores for the Grand Master Hunter.
Upon completion of these requirements, a CKC Grand Master Hunter (GMH) certificate will be issued to the owner and the dog will be identified as a Grand Master Hunter in all official CKC records by the prefix title GMH, which title shall supercede any CKC hunt test titles that may have been previously earned.
A dog that has been recorded as a Grand Master Hunter may continue to enter the Owner Handler Master Hunt Test or Master Hunt Test but no further Grand Master Hunter certificates will be issued.