Here is the sequence of events for the TSA/ACS Hunt test. Remember, it should be done in the same order every time. 1. A walk to the site for Chase Retrieve (located near the site for the Hidden Grass test). 2. Chase Retrieve - Tease the dog with the scented rolled towel in a manner that you can create focus and […]

I will be blogging this week on the hunt test assessment. I would like to thank those who have sent videos of their assessment attempts; it shows me what I need to do to make the process standardized for everyone. The reason this test is important is that it is a test validated across 600 […]

  A new Meet the Breeds in the Field Video is now available! New! Meet the Breeds in the Field Video A survey was recently conducted amongst dog owners who are active in the sport. Here were the findings: 2023 Survey Results Hunt Test Call Back Procedure

Event Service Fees (Jan 2013) Changes to Spaniel Hunting Test Regulations (Nov 2011) The AKC's Position Regarding Club Events Held on Private Property (June 2007) Event giving clubs often conduct their activities on private property. It is the joint responsibility of the Club and the land owner to reach a mutual understanding regarding the obligations […]

Spaniels are flushing breeds. Their purpose is to hunt, find game, flush and retrieve birds in a please and efficient manner. The objective of the hunting test program is to help the hunter develop a useful hunting companion by providing a means to gauge a dog's ability against three standards of accomplishment-Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter […]

DQ by Judges (Jan 2026) Score All Abilities / Master Dog / Awarding Ribbons (Jan 2026) Amateur Handler Limit / Handler and Judge Relation (May 2025) MNRC Entry Size and Resources (Jan 2025) Six Various Clarifications (Oct 2024) Talking to Dog in Junior (Jul 2023) English Springer Spaniels Eligible (Nov 2022) Clarifications -Amateurs / Blind Retrieves (Oct 2022) Wirehaired Vizsla Eligible […]

Field Trial Grounds being Developed in Alabama by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources First Dog to Earn MHA — ‘Battue‘ Growing Up With Field Dogs Get Started Growing Up In A GSP Family Kaitlyn Walsh -- A Young Handler for the Hunt Test Crowd "Miles" -First Junior Hunter Advanced Title Portuguese Pointer: First to […]

The concept of the Spaniel Hunting Test began as a request for an AKC sanctioned event to be known as the "Spaniel Gun Dog Qualification." It had been recommended that AKC sanction Spaniel breed specialty clubs to hold these tests for the purpose of gauging a dog's natural abilities during demands of actual hunting conditions. […]

A new brochure explaining the basics of Spaniel Hunting Tests is now available. The brochure provides an introduction to the AKC Hunting Test program by explaining the standard procedures and basic requirements for each test level. The brochure is meant to allow new participants to become more familiar and comfortable with the event before giving […]

Holding Barn Hunt Events in Conjunction with AKC Events Barn Hunt events may be held in conjunction with AKC events provided they are held "separate and apart". Separate and apart means there must be a clear demarcation between the two events. The clear demarcation can be achieved in a number of ways --- Different times […]