Results of the Working Gundog Certificate (Preliminary)

Success for Dove Valley Spaniel Handlers

On Saturday August 20th 2005, twelve members took the Kennel Club's Working Gundog Certificate (preliminary stage) at Chatsworth, by kind permission of the Duke of Devonshire and with a great deal of help from Steven Read, the Head Gamekeeper.

This certificate is for handlers who do not necessarily want to trial but would like recognition of the standard to which their dogs can work in a shooting environment.
The preliminary stage is run similar to a working test using dummies and the dogs are assessed for temperament, obedience, steadiness, hunting and retrieving -seen, blind,over an obstacle and water.
Eric Elwick and Keith Onions were the assessors, they put the dogs through their paces with great encouragement for the nervous!
The weather was kind, not too hot in the morning then the sun coming out as we had lunch and did the presentations.
This was the first time the club had run this certificate so the handlers were not sure what to expect and were very relieved to find that there was a 100% pass rate. Well done everyone.

Eric commented that he was pleasantly surprised at the high standard of the dogs.

I would like to thank all those who gave their time to help on the day, Jo, who organised the running order, the Retriever Distraction Team consisting of Brian,Cindy, Louise and Marlene, the guns, Steve Bott and David Gledhill, and Gary for coming along and throwing dummies even though Megan had come in season and he was unable to take part.

Thank you everyone,
Jean Gledhill.

Photograph of all involved
Click for full size picture