GERMAN WORKING EXAMINATION FOR WEIMARANERS

A brief overview

I would sincerely like to thank Deborah G. Andrews, author of  WEIMARANER ERINNERUNGSBUCH *** 1897-1997, for her expertise in editing the German hunting test information presented in this section.

 As the WCA Liaison to the Weimaraner Klub e.V., Deborah has compiled a Memory Yearbook to honour the centenary celebrations for the German Weimaraner Klub held in Weimar during the fall of 1997.

VJP (Natural Ability Examination)

• Tracking- A dog is required to demonstrate a WILLINGNESS, DESIRE and CONCENTRATION under difficult hunting conditions. The MANNER of the dog is also noted.
• Nose - The degree of ACCURATE SCENT DISCRIMINATION and how SENSITIVE the nose is, are evaluated. The nose is evaluated during Search, Tracking and Pointing.
• Search- A dog is evaluated on the DESIRE TO FIND GAME, STYLE and STAMINA coupled with an IMPRESSIVE SEARCH PATTERN. A dog is also evaluated on how STEADY it is to gunshot.
• Pointing- A dog is evaluated on the DURATION and INTENSITY OF THE POINT, and must INDICATE THE LOCATION OF THE GAME.
• Cooperation- The ability for the dog to remain ATTENTIVE and to be a TEAM MEMBER is a very highly valued trait. The dog needs to demonstrate the ability to know where the handler is, be able to change direction with the handler and have the ability to note the location of his handler when working out of sight.

HZP (Advanced Natural Ability and Breeding Examination).

This is split into two parts:

TEST OF NATURAL ABILITIES
In addition to the above tests these are also included:

• Desire- During the whole of the examination, the dog is required to demonstrate a desire to work and a willingness to perform each of the tests on land and in water.
• Water Work- This test is made up of two separate parts, SEARCH BEHIND THE DUCK and SEARCH FOR LOST DUCK IN DEEP, REEDY WATER. A dog is required to demonstrate STAMINA. DESIRE and LOVE OF WATER.
  SEARCH BEHIND THE DUCK- there are a number of qualities that need to be demonstrated by a dog; STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, PERSISTENCE FOR SEARCHING and a WILLINGNESS TO SWIM.
  SEARCH FOR LOST DUCK IN DEEP, REEDY WATER- the dog is examined on IF and HOW it conducts the search, whether it FINDS and RETRIEVES the duck, and the DESIRE to retrieve are all rated. A maximum of 10 minutes is allowed for the dog to complete this examination.

TEST OF TRAINED SKILLS

• Fowl Trail- A WILLINGNESS to work the fowl and a DESIRE to return the fowl to handler are desirable traits. A dog is scored on the ability to WORK THE TRACK and WORK BACK to the handler.
• Hare or Rabbit Trail- The same requirements need to be met for this test as for the FOWL TRAIL.
• Method of Delivery- A dog is required to exhibit TRAINED SKILLS of PICK UP, THE MANNER in which the game is CARRIED and the DELIVERY TO HANDLER. A dog is rated in all sections of HZP that require retrieving and the scores are averaged.
• Obedience- A dog is required to demonstrate a QUICK and WILLING response to VOICE, HAND SIGNAL and WHISTLE. It is evaluated in all phases of the examination how ever not in the presence of game.

VGP (Master's Performance Examination)

This test is divided into five subject areas.

FOREST

• Blood Tracking For Hoofed Game- This is performed on a lead and a dog must demonstrate CALM and CONFIDENT CONCENTRATION, exhibit INITIATIVE and DESIRE. A dog must have the ABILITY to guide the handler to where the game is and behave correctly while searching for the game.
• Furred Game Drag Track- The MANNER of working the track and the RETRIEVE are both taken into account for scoring. As is the use of the NOSE, PERSEVERANCE and DESIRE. There are two parts to scoring; FOR THE TRACK and FOR THE RETRIEVE.
• Wood Search- PERSEVERANCE, PASSION and BOLDNESS are all taken into account for the rating of a dog. It is undesirable for the dog to run through the thicket without planning or to overrun the game.
• Dense Brush Search- A dog will be required to demonstrate a CALM and PURPOSEFUL search, to POINT and RETRIEVE the game and show COOPERATION with the handler

WATER WORK

• Search Without A Duck- A dog will be required to demonstrate a SYSTEMATIC search pattern
• Search Behind A Duck- It is important for a dog to show ability to follow the duck trail using the nose. A dog that works with eyes alone will not be rated.
• Blind Retrieve- A dog is required to show the ability to locate the game by signals from the handler.

FIELD WORK

• Nose- A dog will need to demonstrate a GOOD NOSE, to have the ability of finding game mark game and the distance from the game.
• Search- A dog is required to demonstrate a high level of DESIRE, STAMINA and COOPERATION in this phase.
• Pointing- INTENSITY, HONOURING and STEADY TO SHOT are all observed and a dog is required to demonstrate a high level of these traits.
• Manners- A dog is required to demonstrate the ABILITY to relocate and HOLD the game.
• Bird Drag- A dog is required to demonstrate a DESIRE to find the game QUICKLY and without any additional directions from the handler.

OBEDIENCE SPECIALTY

This is divided into 7 exercises:

1. Obedience while in the forest
2. Staying
3. Heel off lead
4. Drop stay
5. Heel on lead
6. Steady to shot
7. Steady on game

RETRIEVING SPECIALTY

• Retrieve FOX, HARE (or Rabbit) and a FEATHERED game- A dog must not have a hard mouth. A dog is required to return calmly and willingly to the handler, surrender the game on request from the handler.
• Barrier Retrieve- A dog is required to retrieve a fox over some form of barrier. This is a difficult exercise for the dog due to the size and weight of the fox. The handler will give a dog only two verbal commands; TO FETCH and TO GIVE
• Cooperation with the handler- Throughout the entire test, covering all five parts, the dog is required to demonstrate willingness to cooperate with the handler.

Brb (Regional Examination)

This test is divided into 8 subject areas:

1. Steady to shot
2. Obedience
3. Attentiveness
4. Stand for examination
5. Retrieve
6. Blood Tracking
7. Drag Track
8. Water work