Qualifying Scores. The total number of Qualifying scores required for the issuance of the titles Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter and Master Hunter shall be established by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.

The 5 categories of ability in Junior, Senior and Master Hunting Tests must be graded on a scale of 0-10.

At present, in order to receive a Qualifying score in Junior, Senior and Master Hunting Tests, a dog must acquire a minimum average of not less than 5 on each of the categories of abilities listed on the Score Card, with an overall average score of not less than 7.

A dog is not required to earn any title as a prerequisite for earning a higher title.

 

Section 1. Junior Hunting Test.
A Junior hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, be bold and independent, have a fast, yet attractive, manner of hunting, and demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. A Junior hunting dog must establish point, but no additional credit shall be given for steadiness to wing and shot. If the handler is within reasonable gun range of a bird which has been flushed after a point, a blank cartridge must be fired by the handler. Junior hunting dogs must hold point until the handler gets within normal gunshot range. Junior hunting dogs must also show reasonable obedience to their handler's commands.

Section 2. Senior Hunting Test.
A Senior hunting dog must show all of the attributes of a Junior hunting dog. In addition, the dog must be steady to wing and must remain in position until the shot or they are released. A Senior hunting dog must retrieve. Whenever it encounters its bracemate on point, it must honor. A dog that steals its bracemate's point cannot receive a Qualifying score.

Section 3. Master Hunting Test.
A Master hunting dog must give a finished performance and demonstrate clearly that it deserves to be qualified as such. This is the complete hunting companion that any hunter would be proud to own. It must be under its handler's control at all times, and handle kindly, with an absolute minimum of noise and hacking by the handler. A Master hunting dog must show a keen desire to hunt, must have a bold and attractive manner of running, and must demonstrate not only intelligence in seeking objectives, but also the ability to find game. The dog must hunt for its handler at all times at a range suitable for a handler on foot, and should show or check in front of its handler frequently. It must cover adequate ground but never range out-of-sight for a length of time that would detract from its usefulness as a practical hunting companion. The dog must locate game, must point staunchly, and must be steady to wing and shot on all birds and if it breaks, it cannot receive a Qualifying score. Intelligent use of the wind and terrain in locating game, accurate nose, and intensity on point are essential. Whenever it encounters its bracemate on point, it must honor. A dog that steals its bracemate's point cannot receive a Qualifying score.

A Master hunting dog must positively demonstrate its steadiness to wing and shot. The handler shall not command or signal the dog to retrieve until positive steadiness has been demonstrated. The dog must retrieve promptly, tenderly and absolutely to hand.
 

Chapter 2: Qualifying Scores, Awarding of Titles

Section 1. Qualifying Scores.
The total number of Qualifying scores required for the issuance of the titles Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter and Master Hunter shall be established by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.

The 4 categories of ability in Junior Hunting Tests and 6 categories of ability in Senior and Master Hunting Tests must be graded on a scale of 0-10.

At present, in order to receive a Qualifying score in Junior, Senior and Master Hunting Tests, a dog must acquire a minimum score of not less than 5 on each of the categories of abilities (4 categories in Junior, 6 categories in Senior and Master) listed on the Score Card, with an overall average score of not less than 7.

Section 2. Junior Hunter Title (JH).
In order to be recorded as a Junior Hunter, a dog must be registered in the AKC Stud Book, and must have a record of having acquired Qualifying scores in the Junior Hunting Test in four (4) AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests.

Upon completion of these requirements, an AKC Junior Hunter (JH) certificate will be issued to the owner, and the dog shall be identified as a Junior Hunter in all official AKC records by the suffix title JH.

A dog that has been recorded as a Junior Hunter may continue to enter the Junior Hunting Test, but no further Junior Hunter certificates will be issued.

Section 3. Senior Hunter Title (SH).
In order to be recorded as a Senior Hunter, a dog must be registered in the AKC Stud Book, and must have a record of having acquired Qualifying scores in the Senior Hunting Test at five (5) AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests, or, in the case of a dog that has been recorded by AKC as a Junior Hunter, that dog will be recorded as a Senior Hunter after having acquired Qualifying scores in the Senior Hunting Test at four (4) AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests.

(Effective June 2, 2003)
Except that a German Wirehaired Pointer shall not be recorded a Senior Hunter unless it has also been certified by two of the approved judges to have passed a Water Test at a licensed or member field trial or hunting test held by a Specialty Club for German Wirehaired Pointers or Weimaraners.

Upon completion of these requirements, an AKC Senior Hunter (SH) certificate will be issued to the owner, and the dog shall be identified as a Senior Hunter in all official AKC records by the suffix title SH, which title shall supersede the Junior Hunter title when the Junior Hunter title has been previously earned. A dog that has been recorded as a Senior Hunter may continue to enter the Senior Hunting Test, but no further Senior Hunter certificates will be issued.

Dogs that have acquired a Qualifying score in a Senior Hunting Test at an AKC-licensed or -member Hunting Test are ineligible to enter Junior Hunting Tests.

Section 4. Master Hunter Title (MH).
In order to be recorded as a Master Hunter, a dog must be registered in the AKC Stud Book and must have a record of having acquired Qualifying scores in the Master Hunting Test at six (6) AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests, or, in the case of a dog that has been recorded by AKC as a Senior Hunter, that dog will be recorded as a Master Hunter after having acquired Qualifying scores in the Master Hunting Test at five (5) AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Tests. (Effective June 2,2003) Except that a German Wirehaired Pointer shall not be recorded as a Master Hunter unless it has been certified by two of the approved judges to have passed a Water Test at a licensed or member field trial or hunting test held by a Specialty Club for German Wirehaired Pointers or Weimaraners.

Upon completion of these requirements, an AKC Master Hunter (MH) certificate will be issued to the owner and the dog will be identified as a Master Hunter in all official AKC records by the suffix title MH, which title shall supersede any AKC Hunting Test title that may have been previously earned.

A dog that has been recorded as a Master Hunter may continue to enter the Master Hunting Test but no further Master Hunter certificates will be issued.

Dogs that have acquired a Qualifying score in a Master Hunting Test at an AKC-licensed or -member club Hunting Test are ineligible to enter Junior and Senior Hunting Tests.

A dog is not required to earn any title as a prerequisite for earning a higher title

(Effective June 2, 2003) WATER TEST
If a German Wirehaired Pointer, or Weimaraner club wishes to hold a Water Test in conjunction with its licensed or member field trial or hunting test, request for approval of the Water Test must be included on the date application for the event. If approved, the Water Test must be specified on the questionnaire form and announced in the premium list. The Water Test shall be judged by two of the Judges of the field trial or hunting test. The dog shall retrieve a dead game bird from water after a swim of about 20 yards to the bird. The handler shall stand six (6) feet from the water, and the dog must demonstrate its willingness to enter the water, to swim, and to retrieve, at the direction of its handler without being touched or intimidated. Style shall not be considered. The dogs shall not be placed, but shall either pass or fail. The Judges shall certify on the judging sheets the particulars of each dog that passed the test.