The AKC Junior Hunter Test, is a very basic bird dog test. A JH Test usually last 20 minutes. Be sure to check the premium to see for sure. To run a dog in this test it should be conditioned to be able to run for 40 minutes in hot weather.
Junior Test are usually run later in the day after the Master and Senior Test. Temperatures can reach into the 90 degree range during a Junior Test. Be sure to carry water with you for your dog during the test. You should undrstand the rules as outlined in the AKC Hunt Test Booklet. A dogs performance is judged against a set of rules interpreted by a pair of judges. It is a pass or fail test with scores indicating areas dogs need extra training. The following is a list of things on which your dog will be judged:
1. Hunting
2. Pointing
3. Bird finding ability
4. Trainability
The scoring is done with a numbering system rainging from 0 to 10 in each category. To pass a dog must have a score of no less than 5 in each category with a total score averaging 7 or higher.
A dog entered into a Junior Hunter Test should have a minimal amount of training. A handler may not collar a dog while on coarse unless directed to do so by a judge. Collaring you dogs signals to the judge that you are picking it up. Dogs and handlers will be run in braces so your dog should be used to working with other dogs. A junior dog can do no wrong except fighting with it's brace mate or interfering with it's brace mate's hunting.
A junior dog should be independent and search the given area or course for birds. It should cover enough ground to find birds with minimal effort or directions from it's handler. To pass a junior dog must find a bird and establish a point. It may flush the bird but only after it's handler is within reasonable gun range. A dog must point the majority of birds it comes in contact with. When the pointed bird is flushed the handler must fire a blank pistol. The dog must not exhibit signs of gun shyness. The junior dog should respond reasonably to it's handlers commands. It should within reason be able to be called back from a flushed bird and continue hunting. It should follow directions well enough to stay on course.
The Junior Hunter Test is, as I said, a basic test. The JH title received for completing the AKC requirements for this test indicates to others that a dog has the desire and basic control to be called a bird dog. It is not an indication as to whether a dog can withstand the training necessary to go forward to the Senior Hunter or Master Hunter levels. That is something for it's owner to determine.
