Originally posted by lizbud
Candy,

I forgot to ask before, but what exactly is a Hunt Test?
Is it a test in obedience or retrieving skills ?
Oh, btw, you do look a lot shorter than I thought you
would be. Just Kidding... Love & hugs to Dixie &
Dusty.
Hi Liz,
A hunt test is basically testing the dogs ability to retrieve and follow commands. The Handler and dog are faced with many different scenerios that could happen if they were hunting birds. In most tests we use ducks but pheasant, quail and pigeons are also used. The test is used to test the dog's ability to mark, scent, honor other dogs find, be directionally guided to the spot without seeing the bird fall and always successfully retrieve and deliver to handler's hand what they find on land and in the water. It is not as easy as it seems. Dixie just got her title for the Junior level and it took us about 1 1/2 years to get the title completed. You have to go to four different tests and qualify on each of those occassions. Dixie did it in four consecutive tries!!! Mainly this is an AKC test for water dogs such as retrievers and standard poodles.

The main thing I Love about hunt tests though is getting to watch these dogs do what they were originally bred to do. If you could see the sheer joy and excitement in Dixie's eyes when she is working, it is a sight to behold and it gives me great joy to watch her doing something she loves so much. She will "DO" obedience but she "LIVES" to go hunting!!!

About me being shorter than you thought..... I am only 5 foot tall so I imagine everyone thought I was taller than I really am! I'm even shorter when I kneel to get closer to my dog!!!! LOL

Souraya, my hair color is really highlighted in the picture by the sun. I am more of a golden brown (naturally) while Dixie is a Golden red. I love her hair color though so maybe if we ever meet in person I will be the exact color!!! LOL